Easi-Drive's Zac Motors Through to Boot Camp on the X-Factor

Easi-Drive’s Zac Mitcheson proved to be on song as he made it through the audition stage of ITV1’s The X-Factor with his band Diesel.

Zac, along with band mates Greg Morton and Vaughn Taylor, wowed the judges on the hit TV show with their rendition of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’.

Diesel, who appeared on Saturday’s show, now go through to the boot camp stage as they bid to make it through to the final 12.

Zac, a former model and now head of sales at Manchester-based Easi-Drive, said: “It was very nerve-wracking going on stage in front of Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges. This year we also had to contend with the live audience. We got to sing for about 40 seconds and had some really positive comments back from the judges.

“Simon Cowell said we had fantastic vocals and all the judges, apart from Danni Minogue, said yes and put us through to boot camp. Our friends and family were there watching and it was amazing when we came off stage. Everyone was jumping around, it was crazy.”

Diesel formed in 2002 and describe their music as “similar to the recent Take That”. They have previously performed in front of a packed MEN Arena when they took to the stage as part of a Feel the Noise concert, but split up later that year.

They reformed in 2009 and hope the exposure from X-Factor will help them on the road to stardom and to the million pound record contract that awaits the winner.

Easi-Drive gets its community giving programme on the road!

Easi-Drive has this week launched a national community giving programme, WheelsForGood.

Brainchild of founder and managing director Simon Bellamy, the £60,000 bursary fund has been created to give something back to the community in which the business operates.

Bellamy said: “As wheels are at the heart of what we do, it seems fitting that our corporate giving strategy should be based around this theme. This isn’t just about making monetary donations, we will also be offering our time to projects that will benefit.”

The launch of the programme was marked with a donation of £1,000 to South East based BMX club, the Royston Rockets. Bellamy added: “We received an application through a Bodyshop based in the South for funding for the club for improvements to its racing track.

“The club is professionally run and offers local kids the opportunity to channel their energy into something positive – we were delighted to help out.”

Bellamy predicts that the fund will help all sorts of projects from helping kids get mobile, restoration of vehicles to supporting young mechanics through apprenticeship programmes.

He added; “As one of the leading suppliers of like for like replacement vehicles we have instant access to a diverse range of vehicles including 12-seater coaches, we know already from conversations with people that so many charities and local projects are desperate for assistance with transport. We will endeavour to help as many projects as we can over the next 12 months.”

Those interested in applying for assistance through the fund should email emma@souter-rmc.co.uk or telephone Emma Beardsley on 0161 486 9102.

Easi-Drive Hones in on Radar for £3 Million Deal in South Wales

Leading accident management firm Easi-Drive has agreed an exclusivity deal with a Cardiff-based company that will secure over £3million of repair work in the South Wales region.

The deal means that Easi-Drive will look after all replacement vehicles and credit repairs for Radar, an accident management business, exclusively for the next three years.

Radar Claims Management was established in 2004, by a team of specialists with experience in all levels of the insurance industry from traditional policy sales to claims management and damage assessment.

The business link with Easi-Drive means they will be able to provide a full service including vehicle recovery and repairs along with the provision of replacement vehicles.

Matthew Salmons, company director of Radar, said: “We’ve been working with Easi-Drive from day one and have grown with each other, building a rapport and taking the businesses forward.

“We’ve developed a fantastic working relationship, adapting to fit in with each other’s best practice with great success."

Gareth Berry, company director of Easi-Drive, said: “The exclusive link we now have with Radar is a huge boost to our thriving business in the South Wales region and underpins the drive and enthusiasm we have to expand further.”

Easi-drive employs over 150 staff including a UK-wide sales force across its
HQ in Manchester and depots in Luton and Bristol.

Royston BMX Club Benefits for 'Wheely' Generous Donation

Royston-based BMX club, the Royston Rockets is celebrating this week after receiving much needed funding from national accident management firm Easi-Drive.

With a member base of over 70, the club which was established over 25 years ago, has received a £1,000 donation from Easi-Drive’s community funding bursary scheme for improvements to its race track.

Commenting on the donation, Paul Blanche a BMX enthusiast and committee member said; “We are thrilled with the funding - it will go a long way and help the club make significant improvements to the circuit, which are much needed.”

Paul, a Bodyshop Manager at Barkway Service Station and Crash Repair Centre by day, applied for funding on behalf of Royston Rockets, he added: “We do a lot of work with Easi-Drive and we heard about its community giving project – Wheels4Good - I decided to submit a request on behalf of the racing club.”

Andrew Warrender, from Easi-Drive’s local depot in Hitchin, visited the track on Tuesday to present the funds and see first hand where the money would be spent: “It’s great to be able to help out such a worthy community project. The club provides an excellent facility for both BMX die-hards and those that just want to pop down, jump on a bike and try it out for the first time,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the riding I have seen tonight – some of the jumps that have been displayed have been fantastic.”

For further information on the club visit http://www.roystonrockets.co.uk/