On 13th June 2024, we held our GEA Annual Member’s Event!
Following recent feedback from members, this year we decided to host a fun-day, which included Go-Karting at an indoor karting centre, (Teamworks Northampton).
We had 6 teams, who completed practice runs around the track followed by a 2-hour endurance race with a minimum of 9 driver swaps during the 2-hour period. For those who did not want the adrenaline rush of flying around the track on the 200cc karts, we also had the opportunity for teams to participate in a separate virtual race on the dedicated race simulator. Again, this includes practice time, qualifying lap and then a main race. Refreshments (non-alcoholic obviously!) were available throughout the whole event. At the end of the session the winning teams were presented with their prizes.
The event then continued into the evening with members attending a nearby hotel, Sedgebrook Hall, for dinner, drinks and evening entertainment. Commencing with pre dinner drinks, followed by a delicious 3 course dinner, whilst being entertained by a closeup magician going around the groups and tables.
During the dinner we also presented the winning team from the afternoon’s Go-Karting with a bottle of champagne each to mark their great achievement of completing 270 laps of the track in the allocated 2-hour period.
Not unexpectedly, the winning team also clocked up the fastest lap of the day with a stunning 23.656 seconds! Full timing sheets can be viewed on the GEA website.
Our president, Jason Upton of Bullworthy Garage Equipment, gave the traditional president’s speech and announced we were doing a charity collection for the President nominated charity, which, again this year was Macmillan Cancer Research UK.
Following the dinner we held our casino night, with each participant given a starting balance of £100 (not real money, unfortunately!) to see who could make the biggest gain of the evening for bragging rights.
Players had the option of 4 different tables to play, these being Roulette, Poker, Blackjack and Craps. By the end of the evening, it was getting close between a couple of players, but the winning player finished up with £2200 from the £100 starting stake. Well done to Michelle Vigon of V-Tech UK who took home the prize.
The evening continued long into the night (morning!!) with members having the opportunity to meet and network with other attending members in the hotel bar.
A huge thank you to everyone that joined us this year, whether it was just for the Go-Karting, just the dinner, or the entire day. We had a fantastic day, and we sincerely hope you all did too!
For those that couldn’t make it this year, we truly hope you are able to join us next year, when we will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the association!
Any feedback on this years’ event, including any comments / ideas on what you would like to see from next year’s event, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].
The GEA’s aim is to act as a single focal point for our members, representing their interests within the Automotive Industry, and in liaison with other professional bodies and Government organisations.
