This event is one of the most popular on the SGMW’s calendar, and is an opportunity for members to show off their classic cars and catch up with PR friends. It also gives members the chance to review an array of new and classic models on the brilliant surrounding roads of the South Downs. 

Southern Group Happenings: June 2024

In previous years, the Heritage Day has always had a very strong attendance, with 23 members making the journey down south last year. This year, the Heritage Day will be held on 14th August at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire, a brilliant venue that will give members the chance to visit the museum after the test drives have finished. 

SGMW 2024 Heritage Day: car list for the day

The car line-up is as varied as ever for 2024. A total of nine manufacturers have confirmed their support so far, with over twenty cars being made available to drive on the day, including a mix of classic cars, new EVs, and even rugged off-roaders. 

The list of confirmed brands and cars is as follows:

Volvo                               P1800, 262C, 850 T-5R and XC90 V8

BYD                                    Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal

Mazda                                MX-5 Heritage and MX-30 R-EV Edition R

Ineos                                  Grenadier petrol and diesel

Toyota                               Prius Gen1 and Corolla Excel 1.8 Hybrid

Isuzu                                 D-Max

Abarth                              500e

Lexus                                LBX

Fiat                                     600 Mild Hybrid and 600e

Kia                                      Stinger GT-S, Picanto Strike (Mk1), Picanto GT-Line

Genesis                             Models TBA

On the day, several long-running traditional activities (for the last two years at least) will be held throughout the day. Firstly, members and PRs can compete in the Heritage Day quiz, which consists of a number of automotive-themed questions, possibly mixed with a dash of popular culture. Last year, the SGMW’s very own international correspondent, Phil Huff, took the glory by taking 1st place with a score of 9 out of 10. 

The day also has two awards for the best cars of the day: the best manufacturer car and the best member car. In 2023, the charming but terrifying 1965 Ford Transit Custom took the best manufacturer award, while in the member category, Stu Bird’s Volkswagen T2 Westfalia Camper and its multitude of stickers and accessories took the best member car award. An award that Stu also won in 2022 for his quirky SEAT Terra van. 

Can Stu make it three best member awards in a row? Rumour has it that he’s been preparing something special for this year, so check back here later this month to find out the results. 

Read about the SGMW’s 2023 Heritage Day here.

The post Southern Group gearing up for the 2024 Heritage Day appeared first on Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

The annual event was again held at the National Motor Museum’s corporate marquee at Beaulieu in Hampshire.

A splendid turnout saw PR friends from eight manufacturers join 23 SGMW members for a day of motoring memories and convivial conversation.

The following cars were available to drive from manufacturers:

• Ford – Mark 1 Transit van, Capri 280 Brooklands and Explorer SUV.
• Genesis – three electrified GV70s.
• Kia – Stinger GTS and Mark 1 Picanto.
• Lexus – IS-F and RX500h F Sport
• Mazda –  Mark 1 and 4 MX-5s.
• Porsche – Taycan, Panamera and 911 Carrera T.
• Toyota – Corolla Coupe GT AE86 and GR86
• Volvo – P1800ES, 240 GLT estate and S90 Executive.

SGMW members also brought their own heritage vehicles including a Volkwagen Westfalia camper van, Mazda MX-5s, an Alfa Romero Brera, Alfa Romeo 146, Saab 9-5, Peugeot RCZ and Porsche Cayenne.

And it was Stuart Bird’s crazy VW camper that won members’ car of the day while Ford’s 1965 Transit was voted car of the day and loved by everyone who drove it.

The heritage quiz was won by SGMW member Phil Huff with a score of nine out of 10.

The SGMW Heritage Day is also a social occasion and a popular event on the motoring calendar with manufacturer PRs.

Dan Sayles, Kia UK head of press and PR, said: “It is such an eclectic mix of new and old. There is nowhere else that you could drive this selection of cars.

“You can jump out of a Mazda MX-5 Mark 1 into a Volvo 240 estate and a Porsche 911. It is not available anywhere else.

“We PRs never spend time together so it is a good opportunity to catch up and discuss things.”

Simon Branney, Genesis Motor Europe head of UK PR and communications, said: “The SGMW Heritage Day is one of my favourite events of the year because it is so relaxed. Everyone is so friendly and so approachable.

“You just come along and have a lovely time. It’s always a pleasure to the with the Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

“It’s a great venue, everyone gets involved and are super excited to be here. Everyone gets excited about the heritage stuff and old cars.

“It’s an opportunity for people to bring their olds cars and you don’t get to see these very often. It’s the only heritage event on the motoring groups’ circuit and brilliant.”

Volvo was making its debut at our annual heritage day and Barnaby Jones, UK product communications manager, was enjoying the atmosphere.

“It’s great to catch up with people you might only see once or twice a year.

“It is a nice, relaxed and informal event and people come and go as they please and drive what they want. How popular our cars have been even surprised us.

“We see members of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers two or three times a year and, at other events, we can’t always talk or catch up. It has been nice to spend quality time with you all and have a good catch-up and talk about what is new for Volvo.”

The post Miles of smiles at SGMW’s magnificent motoring trip down memory lane appeared first on Southern Group of Motoring Writers.

More than 20 members are attending our SGMW Heritage Day at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in mid-August.

It will be the fifth time the group has hosted the event at the historic motoring venue with manufacturers bringing heritage models and modern counterparts.

Kia UK, one of the manufacturers attending the Heritage Day, is also hosting a driving day for the SGMW the previous day. Members will drive the latest cars from the Kia range, including electrified models.

Members are staying overnight at Burley Manor, in the heart of the New Forest National Park, so the Kia driving day will be followed by the SGMW’s AGM.

SGMW secretary and Heritage Day organiser Chris Rees said: “It promises to be a really, really good turnout of members.

“To get two-thirds of the total group membership in the summer holiday season for two days of events is excellent.”

Altogether 12 manufacturers are supporting our Heritage Day.

Eight PR teams – Ford, Genesis, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen – are attending in person while BMW, Citroen, Honda and Skoda are supplying cars.

The picture shows last year’s star cars. Car of the day went to the Jeep CJ-7 while Mark Bursa’s Kia Pride was judged best members’ car.

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