News

A year of manufacturer approvals, investment in capability, and an even better customer experience for prestige vehicle repairs across the North West – these are just some of our highlights from 2025.

As we say a final farewell to 2025, we want to thank each and every one of our customers, partners and colleagues who have placed their trust in Road & Race this year. Whether you found us through a dealer network, a recommendation, or because you insisted on your right to choose a manufacturer-approved repairer, thank you.

This year has been about building long-term capability: investing in training and tooling, improving our facilities, expanding manufacturer programmes, and strengthening the team behind the work.

Here are some of this past year’s highlights we’re especially proud of:

A flagship milestone: Tesla Approved Body Shop (TAB) coverage for the North West

Building on Tesla’s accreditation of our Cheshire site in June 2024, we were proud to receive further endorsement from Tesla in October 2025 when our Manchester site was also given Tesla Approved Body Shop (TAB) approval. This means we can now support Tesla customers throughout Cheshire, Greater Manchester and across the wider region with manufacturer-approved methods and high standards of vehicle repair.

What it takes to become a TAB

Tesla refers to its approved repairers as Tesla Approved Body Shops (TABs), and the pathway to approval is exacting by design. 

Achieving TAB status is no small undertaking; the work begins with Tesla’s GB board, which reviews our standards and capability – from reputation, equipment and facility fit – to geographic positioning and viability. Market demand and existing TAB coverage are also assessed.

Training and technical validation

Once accepted, we undergo rigorous training requirements, including technical training in Tilburg, alongside welding examinations here in the UK.

Tooling and systems compliance

We evidence that Tesla tooling requirements are met and ensure that non-technical teams are fully trained on Tesla’s online systems and processes – because consistency matters from first contact right through to completion and final handover.

Audit and onboarding

Only once all the requirements have been met do we undergo formal audit and onboarding.

Why this matters for our customers

Tesla is one of the world’s most innovative brands. With strong demand across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, the need for approved repair capability in the region is clear.

With Tesla accreditation across both sites, Road & Race now offers comprehensive coverage across the North West – delivering the scale, responsiveness and exacting standards required for manufacturer-approved repairs.

Other major highlights from 2025:

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB Championship win – Tom Bradshaw takes the title!

A huge moment this year: Tom delivered the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB overall championship win for 2025 in a finale that went right down to the final race at Brands Hatch.

Coming into the last weekend with everything on the line, Tom produced a calm, controlled set of results across the closing rounds, including a vital second place in Round 17 that kept the championship firmly within reach.

The finale delivered exactly the kind of pressure a title fight demands. Amid early drama and mid-race disruption, Tom stayed composed, kept the car in contention, and fought back late on – making a decisive move on the final lap to secure the finish he needed.

When the chequered flag fell, Tom emerged as overall champion for 2025, capping off a season defined by consistency, resilience and race craft under intense scrutiny.

While race wins may grab attention, championships are earned – and Tom certainly earned his!

Kia approval and new dealer partnership

In 2025, Road & Race achieved manufacturer approval for Kia. 

As part of our partnership with the brand, we’re proud to be the authorised repairer for Acorn Kia St Helens and Acorn Kia Warrington. This strengthens our ability to support Kia customers with the correct repair methods using genuine parts – delivering repairs that meet the manufacturer’s high standards.

Investing in the customer experience

Car body panels are not the only things to have received some paint recently. Our Manchester reception has been given a refresh – creating a sharper, more professional and comfortable environment for our customers and partners.

At our Cheshire site, we’ve opened a new customer consultation room, providing a dedicated space for estimates, updates and conversations, designed to make the repair journey clearer, more personal and more private.

Growing the team (and our capability)

Capability is built by people. This year, we strengthened the team across both sites with a focus on customer service, technical expertise and operational efficiency.

Chris Wardale – Mobile VDA (Cheshire and Manchester)

Chris has joined us from a Group 1 bodyshop and now operates as our Mobile VDA (Vehicle Damage Assessor) across all 11 dealers supporting our Cheshire and Manchester sites. He also carries out mobile damage assessments – making the process easier for customers and improving efficiency from the earliest stage of a repair. Chris is absolutely car-mad, with a particular passion for Porsche.

Daniel Ashurst – Technician (Manchester)

Daniel joined us earlier this year from Rightway Paint and Body (a VAG approved repairer in Wigan). He’s already begun the Porsche and Volkswagen training pathway with Road & Race, and has made a significant impact in his first six months. A proper car enthusiast – and, as expected in Wigan – a rugby fan too.

Chris Teasdale – MET Technician (Manchester)

Chris joined from Mercedes Bolton and has slotted in seamlessly as an MET (Mechanical, Electrical and Trim) technician. He is due to begin his Porsche training pathway with a clear goal: achieving High Voltage Technician (HVT) status by the end of 2026.

HVT is a pinnacle qualification within the recommended repairer training pathway. It enables safe, authorised work on high-voltage systems – including batteries, motors, cooling systems and oversight of specified tasks undertaken by other trained personnel (including EIPs – Electrically Instructed Persons). It is forbidden to work on any vehicle with a high-voltage system without these qualifications.

Charlie Guest – Parts (Cheshire), VDA pathway

Charlie joined us after apprenticing at BAC Mono. Currently leading parts at our Cheshire site, he is undergoing training to become a VDA and has started on the Porsche training pathway, and is progressing exceptionally well.

Charlie is passionate about Minis and, outside of work, is also an accomplished pianist: beyond Grade 8, with tutoring experience and even composing pieces for the Disney Channel. (We are currently sourcing him an organ for work!)

Pete Wood – Paint Technician (Cheshire)

Pete brings over 35 years’ experience as a paint technician and is already a much-valued member of our Cheshire team. His experience supports consistency and quality across the paint function.

Looking to the year ahead

2025 has strengthened Road & Race in every way that matters: new manufacturer approvals, training, tooling investment, facilities, and a growing team that together makes it all work.

We are proud of what we’ve achieved in 2025 – but even more proud of the people behind it – while at the same time, we’re genuinely grateful to our customers and trade partners for placing their trust in Road & Race.

Here’s to a hugely successful and prosperous 2026 – and to doing it all over again!