Charity-minded Dealer Finds Formula for Success

First Stop dealer, Steve Andrews, has discovered a new winning formula after using a race-ready Williams racing car to impress visitors at a local festival. Andrews, owner of Steve Andrews Tyres, St Austell, booked the car, used during last year’s Formula One World Championship, as a showpiece for an evening of live music and fireworks at the Charlestown Regatta in Cornwall. And it certainly made an impact, attracting huge crowds and helping to raise more than £1,200 for local causes.

“I’m the first member of the First Stop network to book the Williams for a public show of this kind, so it’s fantastic that it proved such a formidable draw,” said Steve, who is a long-term supporter of the Charlestown Regatta.

“In a week when Jenson Button had rejuvenated British interest in Formula One with his first grand prix victory, it was fitting we had the car at our disposal thanks to Bridgestone. It’s a stunning machine that stopped people in their tracks and encouraged them to dig deep for charity.”

Visitors paid to have their picture taken with the car, before testing their skills as a budding F1 star in a state-of-the-art racing simulator. Proceeds will support Cornish Cancer Care and a number of causes backed by the Charlestown Regatta Committee.

John Cowderoy, business development manager for Bridgestone UK, commented: “Steve is a successful, hard-working businessman who always does his bit to make the Charlestown Regatta a success. He really wanted a race-ready F1 car to display at this year’s show and we’re thrilled we were able to help out by making the Williams available. His booking will undoubtedly be the first of many for the car, which has proven to be a guaranteed show-stopper.”