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RAC Patrol of the Year Chris Burgess
RAC Patrol of the Year Chris Burgess

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RAC Patrol of the Year joins MPG Marathon line-up

RAC Patrol of the Year, Chris Burgess, will be joining the line-up of competitors for this year’s MPG Marathon, and says he’s looking forward to putting his new VW Transporter T6 through its paces.

Chris, aged 42 from Newbury, has been an RAC Patrol for 17 years, and in May he was named as the RAC’s Patrol of the Year.

The annual award is made to the patrol that has given outstanding customer service and technical performance throughout the year, and entitles them to a new vehicle with the prestigious P1 RAC number plate.

Chris, who worked as a mechanic in workshops and garages before becoming a patrol, said he was looking forward to tackling the MPG Marathon challenge.

He said: “It’s a great opportunity to put the new van through its paces and get a very accurate idea of its MPG when fully loaded with the 500 parts and tools that we carry to help our members at the roadside.

“The van is a bit special this year as we are celebrating 120 years so it has the anniversary livery as well as the P1 RAC number plate.

“It’s turning into a bit of a tradition for the RAC Patrol of the Year to take part so I’m hoping to do as well as the last two, or better!”

Chris will be joined by colleagues from the RAC Fuel Patrol team who will be supporting drivers throughout the event, which will see competitors taking on a course setting off from the Forest of Arden Hotel in the West Midlands on October 3 and 4.

The RAC Fuel Patrol’s main role is to accurately measure the volume of fuel in the tanks of the competitors’ vehicles before and after each stage, as well as be on hand to top up if drivers should run out.

The MPG Marathon is open to fleet managers, motoring journalists and key figures from the automotive sector, all striving to complete the course by driving in the most fuel-efficient way.

The event is well-established as a reliable ‘real world’ test of the fuel efficiency claims made by motor manufacturers of their vehicles.

RAC Business sales director Roger Williams said: “This is the third year RAC Business has supported the MPG Marathon and we’re proud to be involved once again.

“As an event the MPG Marathon is a really key exercise in helping fleets, including our own, understand the real world fuel efficiency of vehicles in a range of classes, which is data that can potentially help manage fuel costs better.

“In addition it’s a fantastic setting among the Warwickshire countryside, and a great opportunity for motoring industry figures to get together to share experiences and talk about the latest developments in fuel efficiency and emerging technology.”

For more information about RAC Business, go to: http://www.rac.co.uk/business

ENDS

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About the RAC

First formed in 1897 the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of motorists for 120 years.

Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.

The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK motorists at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.

The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.

For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch or follow #racfuelwatch on Twitter. RAC Fuel Watch is a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump. RAC Fuel Watch analyses how prices changed through the previous month and compares the most recent prices with those from three, six and 12 months before.

Key facts:

  • RAC patrols fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside and on average within 30 minutes
  • RAC vans carry more than 500 parts and tools to get members’ vehicles going again
  • 92% of members would recommend RAC Rescue to their friends and family

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