Graham Benge makes the most of the day to talk to enthusiasts and owners.

The charity – Taylor-Made Dreams https://www.taylormadedreams.org.uk

Vehicles include:

• 1928 Bentley 4½ litre
• 1925 Hupmobile Eight – 8 cylinder 4000cc Series E Tourer
• Ford V8
• NG TA
• Citreon 2CV #RestoMod
• 2018 Mercedes GTR
• 1968 Mini 998 Cooper
• 1995 VW Corrado VR6 Storm
• 1957 Ford Thunderbird
• Mercedes 190 SL
• Suzuki Intruder 1400cc with 1½ inch SU
• 1931 Ford Model A
• 1966 Dodge Coronet

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VeHW08CL_cE or below…

The post Blackboys Inn Car Show 2026 – East Sussex, England first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Mike shares a terrifying tale of sudden brake failure in his Jaguar XFR, leading into a nostalgic look back at the glory days of flexible family car seating!?! Plus, the team breaks down the latest controversial F1 action, analysing the bizarre FIA pitlane measurement blunder in Monaco and celebrating a massive, emotional victory in Barcelona.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

The post Podcast – Welcome Back, Lewis! first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) are one more hosting a Test Day at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground, with many vehicles, from a wide range of manufacturers, to drive and take a look at.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

The post Podcast – Golf GTI Mk1, 2005 BMW 330ci, Volvo S90 Executive – Classics and current cars first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

Useful Links:

Elliot’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/elliott_fewster_racing

Jules’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/julianmcbride_racing_coaching/

Britcar Endurance – https://www.britcar-endurance.com/

750MC Swift Sport Challenge – https://750mc.co.uk/formulae/swift-sport-challenge/

AI Episode summary

This summary of the UK MOTOR TALK podcast episode features hosts Mike Gates, Jim Baxter, and Graham Benge, alongside guests Julian “Jules” McBride and Elliott Fewster, the 2025 BTRDA Junior Rallycross Championship winner. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including tributes to a racing legend, technical insights into circuit racing and rallycross, the challenges of racing with a disability, and the impact of the FIA mentoring programme.

Tribute to Alex Zanardi

The episode begins with a somber tribute to Alex Zanardi, who passed away at the age of 59. The hosts and guests describe him as an “absolute legend” and a deeply inspiring figure in the world of motorsport. His death was reportedly linked to injuries sustained in a handcycle accident involving a lorry, a trauma from which he never fully recovered.

Jim reflects on Zanardi’s racing career, noting that while his Formula One stints—including periods with Williams, Lotus, Minardi, and Jordan—were somewhat unsuccessful, he truly “found his feet” in IndyCar. His aggressive and raw racing style was perfectly suited to that series, highlighted by his famous overtake at the “Corkscrew” at Laguna Seca.

Beyond his professional racing, the group discusses Zanardi’s incredible resilience following the accident that cost him both legs. He transformed his life, becoming a gold-medal-winning Paralympian and even finding success at Brands Hatch and in touring cars. Jim recalls meeting Zanardi, noting his “beaming smile” and infectious positive attitude. Even when asked about the fear of crashing again, Zanardi joked that it was now easier to reattach his legs since he carried a “spare pair” and a screwdriver in his van .

Jules’ Success at Oulton Park

The focus then shifts to Jules’ recent performance in Round Two at Oulton Park, which he considers his favorite UK track. Jules explains the technical challenges of his class, where he competes against Ginettas, McLarens, Astons, and Porsches. Because his car cannot match the cornering ability of some of these rivals, the series uses “Balance of Performance” (BoP) measures, such as adjusting pitstop times, to level the playing field.

Jules credits his success to consistency and the “age-old adage” that to finish first, one must first finish. Unlike the “carnage” of Round One, the driving standards at Oulton Park were much improved. He describes a thrilling final 15 minutes of the race, scrapping “three abreast” into Cascades corner . A late safety car allowed his tires to cool, giving him the grip needed for a final push. He ultimately finished fourth overall and third in class, earning a podium and the “Driver of the Weekend” award.

Elliott Fewster’s Rise in Rallycross

Elliott Fewster joins the conversation to discuss his burgeoning career. Elliott began in junior saloon cars in 2022 before moving to Junior Rallycross in 2024. Despite rolling his car at the start of his first season, he managed to win every subsequent final, eventually finishing as the championship runner-up.

Elliott provides insights into the rallycross format, which consists of three heats and a final. He notes that the racing is exceptionally fast-paced, often determined by the very first lap. He also mentions the “Joker Lap”—a longer route used in some championships to force strategic thinking and separate the field.

In his class, Elliott races a 1.3-litre Suzuki Swift. He emphasizes that it is essentially a £600 road car with a standard engine and gearbox, modified primarily for safety and suspension. This “level playing field” ensures that results are determined by driver talent rather than financial investment or superior machinery. Elliott recently returned to circuit racing at Donington Park, where he qualified P3 out of 35 cars and finished second in both races despite gearbox issues.

Racing with Dyspraxia

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Elliott’s experience racing with dyspraxia. He describes how the condition affects his coordination and processing speed, noting that it takes him longer to prioritize information. As a child, he was even scared of driving a manual car because he feared it would be too difficult, admitting he cried when he first tried at age 11.

However, Elliott explains that once his helmet goes on, he enters a state of “hyperfocus”. Everything else disappears, and he is entirely focused on the task at hand. Mike, who also has dyspraxia, shares a similar experience from a helicopter flight where intense concentration allowed him to overcome his usual coordination issues. Elliott notes that while he has to work harder than the “average” driver to process information, his success proves that it is possible to excel in motorsport with the condition. He cites Bobby Trundley as another successful driver with dyspraxia and autism.

The FIA Mentoring Program

The bond between Jules and Elliott was formed through the FIA/Motorsport UK mentoring program for Disability Motorsport. Jules was proposed as a mentor due to his racing experience and his professional background in corporate IT and sales coaching. He is one of only about 50 mentors worldwide in this specific scheme.

Jules views mentoring as distinct from traditional instruction. While an instructor simply tells a student what to do, a mentor works to understand the person and how they “tick”. In Elliott’s case, this means being careful not to provide too much information at once to avoid “cognitive overload”. Jules provides targeted, usable tips—such as how to gain time at a specific corner—which Elliott is then able to implement immediately on track.

The mentoring relationship extends beyond the racetrack; Jules has also assisted Elliott with practical life skills, such as preparing for job interviews. Elliott credits Jules’ support with helping him find the confidence to achieve podium finishes and believe in his own raw talent.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, Elliott has ambitious goals. Having found success in rallycross and junior saloons, he aims to compete in the Mini Cup and eventually move into TCR and the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). His ultimate goal is to become the fastest British Touring Car Champion. Jules remains a steadfast supporter, praising Elliott’s “special” talent and self-belief. The episode concludes with details on how to follow Jules’ progress via his “Jules McBride Racing Coaching” pages on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Podcast – Elliott Fewster – 2025 BTRDA Rallycross Junior Champion – with Jules McBride first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

For more on BritCar at Oulton Park:
https://www.britcar-endurance.com/events/oulton-park-3

To watch Jules in the BritCar at Oulton Park LIVE on YouTube, the 90 minute race is scheduled for 14:25 BST Saturday 25th April 2026:
https://www.youtube.com/live/NVrjXXH5EXs?si=bocpdEZKtBAHJrW9

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

AI Summary of the episode

This UKMotorTalk podcast episode, titled the “Volvo 240 Special Edition,” covers a wide range of automotive topics, from the hosts’ personal fleets and classic car mishaps to professional motorsport news.

Introduction and Seasonal Reflections

The episode begins with the hosts—Michael Gates, James Baxter, and Graham Benge—reconnecting after an Easter break. They briefly discuss the unpredictable spring weather, noting the transition from freezing temperatures to warm sunshine. This leads to a conversation about the challenges of driving classic or sporty cars without air conditioning; while open-top cars are enjoyable in the sun, they can become uncomfortably hot when stuck in traffic, as the driver is essentially “sat surrounded by an engine, cooking”.

Classic Car Challenges

Graham shares a recent observation of an Austin Ten broken down on a narrow road. He reflects on the inherent dangers of older classic cars that lack modern safety features like four-way hazard flashers or indicators. The hosts reminisce about “simpler times” in motoring, such as:

• Manual Wipers: Using a string to manually move wiper blades during a failure.
• Vacuum-Operated Wipers: Peculiar systems where the wipers actually slowed down as the car moved faster.
• Weak Electrics: Driving older vehicles with failing headlights or batteries that lacked longevity.

Fleet Updates: Deaths and Additions

The hosts provide updates on their personal vehicles, highlighting the mix of reliability and mechanical failure in older cars:

• The Volvo’s End: Graham announces that his Volvo has finally gone to “Valhalla” after its automatic gearbox failed. With a repair cost of £1,500 exceeding the car’s value, he has replaced it with a Honda CRV.
• The High-Mileage Mondeo: Jim and Mike discuss a recently acquired 2010 Ford Mondeo with nearly 150,000 miles on the clock. Despite having “matching scuffs” on both rear doors from a previous owner’s driveway mishaps, the car has proven exceptionally economical, covering 580 miles on a partial tank of diesel.
• The 290,000-Mile Volvo: Mike recalls selling a Volvo with 287,000 miles to a family who successfully used it for a holiday to Cornwall, underscoring the legendary durability of the brand.

Maintenance and Parenting

Mike shares a story about involving his seven-year-old son in car maintenance by having him help change a starter motor. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they joke about “practical parenting tips,” such as whether it is acceptable to “snow foam” children while washing the car. Additionally, Mike recounts a frustrating, near-midnight brake change on a Jaguar, noting the extreme weight of the components (nearly 20kg for the brakes alone).

Motorsport News

The podcast covers several updates from the world of racing:

• Julian McBride (Jules): The hosts wish luck to Jules, who is racing a modified BMW E46, ahead of his next outing at Oulton Park.
• Oulton Park Memories: Graham recalls a terrifying experience at Oulton Park being driven on a motorcycle sidecar with minimal safety gear, describing it as “the most frightened I’ve ever been in any vehicle”.
• Jason Plato and Boiler Room Motorsport: Graham discusses Jason Plato’s transition from a successful touring car driver to a team boss. He highlights Plato’s honesty regarding his mental health struggles after retiring from racing and the “scrappy” start of his new team, which involved using a salvaged Mercedes shell from a river to build a mule car. The hosts agree that while Plato can be a divisive character, his return to the BTCC paddock as a team owner is a positive development for the sport.

The post Podcast – F1’s rule change scalpel and what has replaced Graham’s Volvo? first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

So there you are, walking the cow to market to see if you can get the best deal you can. And a rather disreputable looking bloke comes up and offers you some magic beans in exchange for the cow. And you bite his hand off. You grab the magic beans. You think this is a life changing event and he spins you a tale about a giant and gold in a giant tree and so on and so on.

We fall for it.

Okay, well, we know it’s a fantasy. It’s a children’s tale.

But, how many people have fallen for the modern fantasy that’s just going on at the moment? Let me run that by you.

We’ve seen it on the TV, we’ve seen it in magazines and newspapers… “You’ve been mis-sold Car finance, you’ve been ripped off by the dealer, by the finance company, by anybody and everybody. And we can recover the money that you’ve been overcharged, life changing amounts of money”, suggestions of thousands of pounds can be recovered.

Well, that’s a fantasy as well. It really isn’t like that. So let’s try and take a step back, guide you through the process sensibly.

We’re just a couple of days after the report by the Financial Conduct Authority, the FCA, into their investigation, which has been going on for several years now.

Now, what does it cover? It covers anybody that’s been sold car finance from 2007 to 2014 and then separately from 2014 to today.

So what’s mis-selling?

Mis-selling in their view is if you have been sold finance on your car, hire purchase, PCP, whatever the sort of credit agreement is, if you’ve been sold that at a rate which is above a reasonable market rate.

So you know the dealer who offers you the finance, is acting on behalf of the finance company, he can offer you whatever, rate he feels like, and he gets a commission back if he offers you a rate which is higher than the market norm. And the market norm is around the bank rate because, yes, you could have gone to the bank and borrowed the same amount of money probably.

Or if the main dealer is acting for Ford, Volkswagen, whoever, they all have their finance arms. If he has made an addition to the rate that they’ve offered or they’ve offered some sort of a deal to him, then you’ve got certainly grounds for complaint and, we’ll come on to this in a moment, complain you must.

But the FCA has spent a long time investigating this. The suggestion is that there have been within that time scale something like 12 million finance deals, which may or may not have been less than fair, let’s put it that way.

But in fact, if you drill down into their report, they’ve set some sort of parameters of what is fair and what might just be slightly tweaked and what might be hugely inappropriate and you might not know it because you’ve not been informed of any offer from any competition. You’ve been presented with a deal when you bought that car, but they’ve actually gone through these and they reckon that within their parameters of what is and isn’t fair, that there is a need for a mass redress scheme, but that mass redress scheme probably only affects something like a million people.

And if you honestly thought you were going to get thousands and thousands and thousands out of this, you’re not. The industry is committed at the moment to paying out something like £9.1 billion, which the FCA will seek to disperse, but the level of payout is likely to be somewhere between £750 and £850, certainly sub-thousand pounds and the figures of thousands which are mentioned in some of those fantasy adverts, that’s all gone by the board.

Now as we speak, the industry is considering its position. It may elect to go to appeal whether to take the matter to court. There is an appeal process within the FCA’s decisions. They may decide to do so. We don’t know that at this stage, but what can you do at this stage and what should you do? What you must do is complain NOW.

You may or may not be in that group which have been unfairly treated as defined by the FCA, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get, so complain now.

There are example letters online you can download for free. There’s lots of advice online. Aside from this, you can look at the Martin Lewis Money website. He’s got some very good advice.

You could read the FCA’s website because there’s very good advice on there on procedure.

You could look at Equifax. They’ve got a free guide to where your policies might be because we all get a bit careless with paperwork, particularly when it relates to 2007. I can barely remember 2007, and certainly not where the paperwork might be.

So you need to go search and find what paperwork you’ve got and then you need to complain.

And I would suggest you write to the dealer and write to the finance company. As I say, there are draft letters online. You can fill in all the essential details.

The FCA is suggesting. If you complain now, direct to those people that arranged that finance, then the chances are there will be a payout this year.

If you don’t complain, and the other part of the mechanism is that those dealers and finance companies have to contact you and they are obliged to do so, then the payout is likely to be somewhat delayed. And if the finance company or dealer or both acting together don’t know where you are, for example, you’ve moved once or twice or more. You’ve changed name, you might have married and changed surname. If they don’t know who and where you are, the chances of them finding you are quite slim.

So do complain now. Write your letters, pursue them if you need to. Give them a month or so to respond and then do a follow up letter.

Don’t absolutely don’t sign up to one of these companies.

If they do assist you, they can take anything up to 45% of whatever you get. So if you’re getting 800 quid and 350 quid of that is going to them, it ain’t much of a windfall is it?

The other problem is that if you do sign up to them and then withdraw, they can charge you a penalty fee for their services, whether they have or haven’t carried any out.

So don’t sign up to these companies. Do it yourself.

I know it’s a chore. I know it’s a bit of a pain, but you might well decide it’s worthwhile.

You might not even actually fit the criteria. But nevertheless, it’s worth making your pitch, isn’t it? Or are you just happy to hope that those magic beans will actually grow into something?

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/matt-stewart-evans/petty-pranks License code: 6MNXHBHL7VB6IEHF

Thanks to: VariousPhotography, Rano Siedemcztery, Andreas, Nans Ceos, no pe, Olena, RuneSnow, Tumisu, Andrew Khoroshavin, Arash Tarasoli, Engin Akyurt, PIRO and Tung Lam for any and all imagery shared on Pixabay… https://pixabay.com

The post Could YOU be owed £££..? Graham takes a look at Car Finance claims first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Podcasthon is the world’s largest podcast-based charity initiative which brings together podcasters from across the world to raise awareness of charitable causes.

As our charity, this year we have once again chosen Ben, the charity which is dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life, for them, and their family dependents.

We are joined by Ellen Plumer to tell us not just about everything that Ben can do for you and the people you know in automotive, but the fun you can have raising awareness of the charity…. Did someone say a car rally in the Pyrenees?!? And don’t forget to ask Ellen about the elephants!

For Ben go to: https://ben.org.uk/

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/neozoic/sunshine-town
License code: FZTW6KT2BQUO5S0D

The post Podcast – Ben – The charity supporting the people of the Automotive industry – Podcasthon 2026 first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

Listen to our chat with Stradders (Chris Stradling) about his life and career as an RAF Tornado and, on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Lancaster Navigator: https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/2025/11/podcast-from-triumph-toledo-to-raf-tornado/

The post Podcast – 2026 Formula One Preview first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Julian has taken a life-changing medical complication that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and turned it into a racing and coaching career, highlighting a determination and sense of purpose to help others, through motor sport, make the most of life, despite the difficulties they may face.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

https://www.julianmcbride.uk
https://www.facebook.com/julianmcbrideracing.uk

The post Podcast – Julian McBride – Racer, Coach and ‘disability in motorsport’ Mentor first appeared on UKMotorTalk.

Keep up to date with the UKMotorTalk Podcast:

Add https://feeds.feedburner.com/ukmotortalk
or https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/ukmotortalk
to (or search for UKMotorTalk on)
your podcasting app of choice

AND NOW even on YouTube!

Keep an eye on https://ukmotortalk.co.uk/podcast/

Follow @UKMotorTalk on all of the socials!

Useful Links:

Hagerty’s UK 2026 Bull Market List
https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/2026-bull-market-list

Jensen International Automotive
https://jensen-sales.com/

Photo credit: Rich Pearce/Hagerty UK

The post Podcast – F1, a new Jensen and it’s amazing what you find on eBay first appeared on UKMotorTalk.