SMMT Test Day North 2022 at Wetherby Racecourse
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has held its annual Test Day North event, again at its regular Wetherby Racecourse venue straddling the North and West Yorkshire border.
It’s one of the two regional test days which take place each year, along with the Test Day South in Hampshire, which forms a trio of multi-manufacturer driving days together with the main Test Day event at the Millbrook vehicle proving grounds in Bedfordshire.
Naturally that makes it a major event on the Northern Group’s calendar. Although many of our number will make the trek down to Millbrook, with the larger spread of manufacturers being a particular draw, the event in our region is a chance for more members to attend.
Of course it’s not just about driving the cars — and even though it is a smaller event a long way from the manufacturer fleet bases, around 50 vehicles are available each year — but the chance to speak with our PR colleagues face-to-face outside of press events.
That’s enhanced by the Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ pre-event barbecue, taking place the night before. With so many press offices making the trek up the A1, this gives everyone a chance to relax, mingle, and have a burger to look forward to; the 2022 event was a hit with all those who were able to attend.
In addition, the Test Day North is a chance for the NGMW to award our Car of the Year to the winning manufacturer’s representatives, by way of the “Arthur” miner’s lamp trophy. This year it wasn’t possible as the relevant brand wasn’t in attendance, so you’ll need to watch this space for the announcement!
Nonetheless, with the September weather surprisingly being kind again, NGMW members racked up dozens of test drives — along with colleagues from Scotland, Ireland, the Midlands, and those from other regions who happened to be in the area — to make the Test Day North another excellent event. You can see some of these in our special SMMT Test Day North gallery.
