SMMT Test Day North 2021 at Wetherby Racecourse
The SMMT Test Day North event has taken place at its regular Wetherby Racecourse haunt in West Yorkshire.
One of two annual regional test days which run alongside the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) main event, the Test Day North is a significant date on the Northern Group’s calendar.
While the main Test Day takes place each year in Bedfordshire, it’s quite the trek for NGMW members — although that doesn’t stop an intrepid few heading down each year!
The Test Day North then, much closer to home, gives a vital opportunity for our members to drive cars they might not ordinarily get any time with, and of course to catch up with our industry colleagues on the other side of the fence.
In addition, the NGMW stages an annual pre-event barbecue for those press offices who’ve taken the time to travel up the country. 2021 was the second such event and no less successful than the first.
The Test Day North also sees the NGMW award our Car of the Year, if the winning manufacturer is in attendance. This year that went to Toyota for the GR Yaris hot hatch, with senior PR manager James Clark on hand to receive the trophy.
Although naturally a smaller event than the main Test Day, more than 20 manufacturers were on hand with close to 50 cars, including Porsche, BMW/MINI, and Volvo.
Thankfully, and unusually, the weather held out to make for a great day all round and, after so much recent disruption, we’re now counting down the days until the 2022 event.
