The auction, the first Buxton classic car sale that H&H Classics is holding this year, takes place on Wednesday 29^th April with some of the early entries paying homage to a golden era of motoring a century ago.

This includes a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Windovers Tourer, estimated at £30,000-£35,000 which has coachwork supplied new to Hari Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Kashmir until the monarchy was abolished in 1952.

The car, which would be a highly rewarding and potentially valuable restoration project, is a combination of the chassis and engine, and coachwork, from two different Phantoms. It is entered from a significant private collection in which it has been for some four decades.

Another significant Rolls-Royce taking centre stage at the Buxton auction, and also in need of restoration, is a 1924 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost that was first owned by Otto Oppenheimer of the De Beers diamond empire.

Estimated at £12,000-£15,000, it still has its original engine, while it was initially supplied with Pullman Cabriolet coachwork by the renowned H. J. Mulliner, and is now described as ‘a true diamond in the rough’.

James McWilliam, sales manager at H&H Classics, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton in 2026 as it’s always been a popular venue where we’ve seen some fantastic auctions over the years.

“It looks like we’re going to have another incredible sale, not least with an interesting assortment from the 1920s which are joined by modern classics and other highly desirable models from decades past.”

Indeed, another car more than one hundred years old and going under the hammer is a 1925 Sunbeam 14/40 Tourer, which has previously featured in the 90s television series, Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Estimated at £28,000-£34,000, it is a more usable Colonial model, has been well used in recent years and still presents excellently.

Meanwhile, from the following decade is a rare 1939 Triumph Dolomite 14/60 ‘Foursome Coupe’, one of just three surviving examples and believed to be the only one on UK roads.

This Art Deco-inspired model with considerable restoration investment is estimated at £34,000-£38,000, and has particular historical significance as one of the final cars manufactured prior to the outbreak of the Second World War.

James added: “This will be our third auction so far this year, following a successful classic car sale in Nottinghamshire and an amazing classic motorcycle auction in the West Midlands, and presents a great opportunity for classic car enthusiasts and collectors to acquire the car they’ve always dreamt of.”

All lots will be available to view in person at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, from midday on Tuesday 28^th April and from 9am on Wednesday 29^th April, while the sale then commences at 12pm.

Anyone looking to bid on one of the lots can do so in person, online, by telephone or by leaving a commission bid, while for more details about any of the cars or to register to bid, visit www.handh.co.uk.

Analysis of official government data by leading driving experience provider – DrivingExperience.com – reveals two weather related issues that motorists need to be particularly aware of at this time of year.

While drivers should never use a mobile device or drive a defective vehicle, collisions caused by these factors are dwarfed when compared to collisions that were on a road surface which was slippery due to the weather.

The Department for Transport (DfT) road safety factor figures show there were 2,161 collisions on this type of road surface compared to 340 collisions when a mobile device was involved and 1,249 including vehicles with defects such as defective tyres or lights.

Further analysis for the last full year that figures are available also shows there were 1,069 collisions when the driver or rider vision was affected by adverse weather or dazzling sun, more than three times the mobile device figure.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at DrivingExperience.com, said: “Judging driving conditions in April can be tricky with heavy downpours often followed by bright sunshine that is still quite low in the sky.

“Motorists should be vigilant at all times so they can drive safely, including maintaining a sensible speed, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front and avoiding heavy braking, as well as not using a mobile device and keeping their vehicle in a road worthy condition.”

Fines for defective windscreen wipers can be as much as £2,500, while driving with illegal tyres can see £2,500 fines and three penalty points for each faulty tyre.

Motorists can also hone their driving skills to help cope with wet weather, such as with Skid Pan Experiences as provided by DrivingExperience.com.

Imran added: “Each season presents its own driving challenges, and spring is no different. The harsh winter climate has been replaced by highly changeable and unpredictable weather, which motorists need to give due respect to.”

For more information about DrivingExperience.com, including its skid pan experiences, visit www.drivingexperience.com.

The auction saw total sales of £1.8 million, some £700,000 more than the combined lower estimates of all the lots, making it the largest grossing motorcycle auction that H&H Classics has ever held.

The highly anticipated sale of 274 classic motorbikes and 27 vintage scooters took place on Wednesday 25^th March and also achieved a very impressive 86 per cent sales rate.

This included all 43 entries from the ‘Road and Race Collection’, all owned by a collector of rare and important historic motorcycles, which were successfully hammered away, not least a 1963 Moto Morini Bialbero 250 Grand Prix Racer, which fetched £61,525, more than £13,500 above its lower estimate, and also the highest price achieved on the day.

The bike is one of the greatest 250 racers of all time and was restored prior to 2017 with many original parts retained.

A packed auction hall also saw plenty of fierce bidding for other motorcycles, including for a highly desirable 1969 Egli Vincent Black Shadow entered from the Keith Mason Collection, which fetched £58,075, more than £25,000 above its lower estimate.

Mike Davis, senior motorcycle specialist at H&H Classics, said: “Our first classic motorcycle auction of 2026, also the biggest of its type in the UK, well and truly exceeded expectations, not least by being our biggest grossing two-wheel sale to date.

“Not only was there a strong sales rate, but also some incredible individual results. It was definitely a case of quality and quantity.”

Other stand out sales included a 1990 Harley Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy, which found a new home for £13,800, more than £8,000 above its lower estimate, and a 1974 Ducati 750 Sport, considered one of the 1970s’ most beautiful bikes, which was hammered away for £29,325, more than £7,300 above its lower estimate.

Further highlights from the auction saw a 1999 Ducati 996 SPS/F, number 75 of just 150 examples, fetch £24,150, more than £6,000 above its lower estimate, while a 1950 Vincent Series C Comet, another motorcycle from the Keith Mason Collection, was hammered away for £12,938, almost £5,000 above its lower estimate.

Mike added: “We’ve set an incredibly high bar, which we’ll enjoy trying to exceed at our next auction of classic motorcycles and vintage scooters which takes place in July back at the National Motorcycle Museum. As space is limited we’d encourage anyone considering an entry to contact us at their earliest convenience.”

Meanwhile, notable results among the vintage scooters included a 1961 Velocette Viceroy, one of only c.700 produced, which was sold for £4,600, more than £1,000 above its lower estimate.

For a full list of the results from H&H’s auction, visit www.handh.co.uk.

In the meantime, owners of classic motorcycles and vintage scooters looking to benefit from the high levels of interest in H&H’s auction by selling with them can contact the team to discuss their entry on 01925 210035 or email sales@handh.co.uk.

Analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) figures by DrivingExperience.com found that, across four recent years, overall collisions fell by 2.4% in the week after the clocks changed. But collisions taking place at night – between 7pm and 6am – rose by 10% compared with the week before.

The analysis looked at matched Sunday-to-Saturday windows around the clock change – the seven days before and the seven days after, including the changeover Sunday – using pooled data from 2021 to 2024 to smooth year-to-year volatility.

While overall collision numbers did not increase, the figures suggest the March clock change may alter when risk is greatest, with incidents shifting more heavily into night-time hours.

Imran Malek, spokesperson at DrivingExperience.com, said: “Many drivers welcome the clocks going forward, with longer evenings and the sense that spring has arrived. But the change can also bring added risks, particularly in the days immediately afterwards.

“Our analysis of official figures shows a clear increase in night-time collisions in the week after the March clock change, so motorists should take extra care when driving during this period.”

Imran is advising motorists to follow a few simple steps to stay safer when driving in the dark:

• Keep windows clean – being able to see clearly is key to reducing glare, so drivers should also remember to top up washer fluid and check wiper blades.
• Use lights correctly – make sure all lights, front and rear, are working properly. Use full beam headlights on unlit roads, but dip them immediately for oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle. In built-up or well-lit areas, use dipped headlights.
• Beware of oncoming lights – drivers can be dazzled by approaching headlights, so it can help to look towards the left-hand side of the road to maintain a safe position in the lane.
• Reduce speed and increase stopping distances – darkness can make hazards harder to spot, so drive at a safe speed for the conditions and leave a greater distance from the vehicle in front.
• Don’t drive tired – maintain alertness behind the wheel by taking regular breaks where it is safe to do so, and avoid driving if you feel too tired to continue safely.

Imran added: “Driving at night can present extra challenges, but a few simple precautions can make a real difference. Clear visibility, proper use of lights, lower speeds and staying alert all help motorists stay safe.”

For more information about DrivingExperience.com, including its Young Driver Training and Skid Pan experiences, both designed to give practical driving skills, visit www.drivingexperience.com.

With an extensive history in endurance racing, Gibson supplies engines to LMP2 teams competing in various motorsport series around the world, such as the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last year the company was named by motorsport governing bodies, the ACO and FIA, as the official powertrain provider for the next generation LMP2 category, which will be introduced in 2028.

Alongside its race engines, Gibson utilises its motorsport experience to provide a host of advanced engineering consultancy services to other companies in the automotive and manufacturing industries.

Commenting on the appointment, Danny Rughoobeer, managing director at Red Marlin, said: “Gibson Technology is a company we’ve admired for many years, so we’re thrilled to be working with them and playing a key role in the next part of their journey. They have some incredibly exciting plans for the future, and we look forward providing our full range of marketing and communication services to help make these projects a real success.”

Red Marlin itself has considerable experience within the motorsport and advanced engineering sectors making them an ideal partner for Gibson. Previously, Red Marlin ran the global communications activities for the Iron Lynx motorsport team, as well as supporting various companies like Yokohama tyres who are involved in numerous race series around the world.

Mark Brittan, managing director at Gibson Technology, said: “The demands within the motorsport industry are quite unique so it was important for us to find an agency partner who has proven expertise in this area. Red Marlin matched these requirements but also showed that they will be able to add significant value beyond the racetrack, which will be critical as we continue to develop and evolve our business.”

For more information about Gibson Technology, its race engines and other advanced engineering services, visit www.gibsontech.co.uk.

The figure, from the latest ALARM survey, reflects how often roads are fully renewed rather than simply patched, with the resurfacing cycle even worsening from around 93 years last year.

In England the average resurfacing cycle now stands at around 106 years, rising to 132 years in Wales. In London, by contrast, roads are resurfaced roughly once every 39 years.

The survey also discovered that one in every 10 miles of local roads in England and Wales – around 20,400 miles – is likely to require maintenance within the next 12 months. Despite councils filling 1.9 million potholes over the past year, the staggering repair backlog has climbed to a record £18.62 billion.

Highway engineers behind the report warn the local road network is becoming “increasingly fragile” and say recent funding increases have “yet to result in tangible improvements in conditions.”

Imran Malek, motoring expert at TrackDays.co.uk, said the findings highlight the deteriorating state of Britain’s roads and warned motorists to stay alert to avoid pothole damage.

“This latest report confirms the scale of the problem for drivers, who can feel the condition of the roads for themselves every day. Potholes, rough surfaces and sudden jolts have become an all-too-familiar part of everyday journeys.”

“One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is following too closely. If you leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front, you give yourself more time to spot damaged road surfaces and react calmly rather than at the last second.

“Drivers should also treat standing water with caution, because puddles can easily hide a pothole underneath. On wet roads especially, it is worth easing off slightly and staying alert to uneven surfaces.

“If you cannot avoid a pothole safely, the key is to reduce speed in a controlled way before you reach it, keep the steering wheel steady and avoid a panicked swerve.

“It is also sensible to keep tyre pressures properly checked. Underinflated tyres are more vulnerable to pothole impacts, so that is one simple step drivers can take to help protect their car.”

According to the report, councils filled the equivalent of more than 5,200 potholes a day last year at a cost of £149.3 million. Yet over the past decade the cost of bringing roads up to a reasonable standard has risen by more than 50%, underlining the scale of the challenge facing local authorities.

For motorists, the result is a familiar one: more patched-up roads, more potholes and rougher journeys – with drivers often left footing the bill for the damage.

To find out more about TrackDays.co.uk, which runs driving experiences and driver training events across the UK including track days and educational driving courses, visit www.trackdays.co.uk.

The timely advice has been issued by a leading motoring website – DrivingExperience.com – which highlights how this month is ideal for those in the market for a motor, such as an older model, approved used or second-hand car.

One of the main reasons is that March sees the arrival of new ‘26’ number plates, meaning car dealerships are keen to get rid of old stock in February with the previous year’s registration, especially if there’s little space on the forecourt.

Additionally, February is one of the slowest months for car sales, with cold weather keeping people indoors and with post-Christmas bills to be paid, meaning car salespeople are more likely to negotiate on price.

The lack of other car buyers also gives potential car buyers more time to consider their options, with less pressure to make a rash purchase.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at DrivingExperience.com, said: “While February is famous for romance and pancakes, it is less well known in the UK as one of the best months of the year to buy a car.

“The UK’s love affair with the number plate change, which happens every March and September, means the month before is an ideal opportunity to look for a four-wheel bargain.

“This is even more so in February when cold weather and a post-Christmas financial hang over are thrown into the mix, deterring other buyers and making deals even more likely.”

Another February influence is that dealers are aiming to meet end-of-quarter (March) goals, meaning discounts are more possible.

Imran added: “Car buyers hold all the cards in February, putting them in a great position to pick up a bargain from dealers who are planning for the arrival of the new registration plates launch in March.”

For more information about DrivingExperience.com, which offers a diverse range of cars and vehicles available to book for driving experiences at race tracks and other venues across the UK, visit www.drivingexperience.com.

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens and Aston Martins are among the exotic fleet lining up to be enjoyed at the historic motorsport track in Wiltshire.

Adults can choose to drive one to five supercars for three miles each depending on the experience booked, while juniors can drive from one and up to three monstrous motors.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at Trackdays.co.uk, said: “We’re delighted these new supercar driving experiences are available at Castle Combe, one of the UK’s most celebrated race circuits, courtesy of Trackdays.co.uk.”

“Of course, we’re particularly excited that youngsters from just 10 years old can join in the fun on the legendary track to see, and feel, for themselves how amazing these supercars are.”

Porsche, Mercedes, Lotus, Nissan and Maserati also take their place in the stunning supercar marques available to drive.

“Castle Combe is a perfect venue for a memorable supercar driving experience. It’s steeped in history, the circuit is a driver’s dream and it’s easy to get to.”

“We’d encourage anyone who’s never driven a supercar before, or those wanting an adrenaline rush behind the wheel, to book one of these awesome experiences and have the time of their life,” added Imran.

For more information about TrackDays.co.uk, and its supercar driving experiences at Castle Combe, visit www.trackdays.co.uk.

The discovery by Trackdays.co.uk comes after it studied which were the most popular supercars chosen for its driving experiences this year.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at Trackdays.co.uk, said: “Lamborghini cars ooze style and performance, and it appears dreams of driving one is becoming a reality for more and more admirers of the Italian supercar manufacturer.

“It’s also pleasing to see that homegrown talent is well represented by the spectacular McLaren 720s which came close to taking the top spot off the Huracan. Between them, they took more than a third of all bookings.”

Another British manufacturer, Ariel, took the final podium place with strong demand for its high-performance Atom.

Other supercars in the Trackdays.co.uk 2025 Top 10 include the Nissan GTR, Porsche 911, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche GT3 RS, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, McLaren 570s and Ferrari 488.

Race circuits where supercar driving experiences take place with Trackdays.co.uk include Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Knockhill, Donington Park, Snetterton, Goodwood and Thruxton.

Imran added: “Supercars are built to be enjoyed. The pleasure of driving one can create lifelong memories and give an even greater appreciation of the technical brilliance behind these creations.”

The TrackDays.co.uk top 10 most popular supercars in 2025 are:

For more information about TrackDays.co.uk and its fleet of supercars available to drive, visit www.trackdays.co.uk

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by YourParkingSpace to councils across England found that, even with stretched budgets, disabled bay enforcement is still being taken seriously. Across the five-year period, councils recorded 19,660 investigations, leading to 14,154 penalty charge notices and 1,954 prosecutions.

That means 82 percent of investigations resulted in some form of enforcement – usually a fine, but in more severe cases the matter ended up in court. Averaged across the full dataset, that’s around 76 investigations, 54 fines and 8 prosecutions every week.

While prosecutions are less common, they are far from rare, with roughly 1-in-7 serious cases ending up before a magistrate.

Alongside that, the data highlights a wider trend: ‘bay enforcement’ – not just for Blue Badge bays but for EV chargers and parent-and-child spaces – is becoming a growing priority for car park owners, many of whom are turning to tech-based systems to prevent misuse.

The councils in the FOI cover a combined population of more than four million people, giving a clear and reliable picture of how disabled bay misuse is being handled in major urban areas.

Larne O’Donoghue, spokesperson for YourParkingSpace, said: “Even with tight resources, our research makes it very clear that councils are still cracking down on anyone misusing disabled bays. Taking a space that isn’t yours can ruin someone’s day – and the likelihood of being fined or prosecuted is much higher than most people think.

“We’re also hearing from car parks across the UK that misuse is becoming a growing problem – whether it’s disabled bays, EV chargers or other marked spaces. It leads to stress and complaints from customers, so many sites are now taking stronger action to stop it.”

Meanwhile, a YourParkingSpace survey of 2,000 motorists also revealed that more than two-thirds have witnessed drivers parking in a disabled bay without a valid badge.

Larne added: “While parking in a disabled bay without permission is never acceptable, we know that many drivers end up in the wrong space because they’re stressed, in a rush or simply can’t find anywhere else to park. Pre-booking a space removes that pressure and stops people making poor decisions in the moment.”

YourParkingSpace allows motorists to pre-book and guarantee a parking space online, reducing the temptation to rush into the wrong bay or take an unauthorised space when car parks are busy.To find out more, visit www.yourparkingspace.co.uk.