On the 17th of April John George took 16 JAG employees on the PalmerSport Day at Bedford Autodrome in Northamptonshire. The day comprised of a full briefing, followed by colleagues and co-workers racing each other in a series of seven different high-performance vehicles.
John managed to win the Palmer Jaguar JP1, Porsche 911 JP3 and Caterham 7 Sprint races; making him the overall winner of the day. To his dismay, Andy Whitaker beat John over the line in the Renault Clio Cup session; despite John’s previous racing experience in the Clio Cup.
One highlight of the day included Business Manager Hayley Luxton being “blue-flagged” (a warning given to drivers to move away from the racing line when they are about to be overtaken). Hayley complied with the warning at first and pulled her car over, before changing her mind and re-entering the racing line, pushing Group Operations Manager Scott Fulfitt into a “brake here” sign in the process.
Despite his little accident, Scott had a good time, finishing in 7th overall for the day. He said: “The day was excellent and a huge amount of thought was put into it, from signing in, the food, travel… it was good to see that everyone, including people who were not that sure about driving too fast had a good day. It was great to meet everyone in such a great atmosphere.”
The event was made possible by Orange, who also sent five of their own staff to the event to mingle with JAG’s employees and compete against them in the racing. JAG’s ongoing Preferred Partner status with the network comes as a result of the company connecting so many users to Orange; the PalmerSport Day was a further incentive, and a thank-you from the network to JAG.
JAG invited five of its branch staff to the event, for selling high volumes of various different Orange products. Although the incentive was open to all JAG branch staff, it was only Branch Managers who made the mark. Andy Macey, Manager of JAG’s Shirley branch, Lee McBride (Manager, Gosport) Steve Turner (Manager, Falmouth) and Maxine Ryl (Manager, Belper) all attended the racing day.
Maxine said: “It was a very competitive day and we all had a great time. Working for JAG is like being part of one big team, and the Palmer Day really showed that.”
Andy Whitaker, JAG Group Manager who has raced rally cars competitively in the past said: “This wasn’t the first time I’ve been on one of these days, but whenever I get the chance to go, I go. It’s so well organised, the cars are well-kept and the instructors are brilliant. It’s a fantastic place.”
Area Manager Joanne Whyman said: “It was an incredible experience. I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to race seven different super cars in one day. We had professional racing drivers in the cars with us showing us how to do it all and they really pushed us to the limit. I liked the Land Rover bit best –it was more skill than speed.”
John George, the most experienced racer present on the day said: “It’s terrific to share my hobby with my friends and colleagues –the day was good for teambuilding and getting to know some JAG staff a bit better. Everyone got into the spirit of the day and I’m delighted by how much they all enjoyed it.”
The Palmer Day was another example of the wide range of perks and incentives available to JAG’s employees across the board, from Sales Executives to Senior Management.
Branch Manager of JAG’s Falmouth branch, Steve Turner said: “I’ve known most of these people for years, but it was great to get to know some of the new staff JAG has taken on, in such a relaxed and enjoyable environment. It was the day of a lifetime.”
ENDS
