Top Gear presenters confirmed as special guests at IAM RoadSmart 60th anniversary celebration

Two of the longest serving presenters of popular BBC motoring show Top Gear have been confirmed as panel guests for the IAM/IAM RoadSmart 60th anniversary car party on 9 July. And they will be joined by one of the organisation’s youngest representatives on the panel, who is just 18.

Chris Goffey, who co-presented from 1981-2000 and Sue Baker, who co-presented from 1980-91, will be at IAM RoadSmart’s birthday event at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon.

They will be joined on the panel by Paddy Hopkirk, legendary rally and race driver; and winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis Rallies.

The trio will talk about their long and successful careers, share their views on current motoring and motorsport topics and take questions from the audience.

In addition, the viewpoint of the young driver will be given by our fourth panellist - 18-year-old advanced driver and IAM RoadSmart Young Driver Ambassador Eloise Peabody-Rolf.

The event will be a celebration of all things motoring, while looking at the many highlights of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and now IAM RoadSmart’s 60 years. In that time, the charity has remained dedicated to promoting safer driving initiatives and making better drivers and riders through advanced driving and riding techniques.

Established in 1956, the Institute of Advanced Motorists came onto the motoring landscape at a time when there were more than 5,000 deaths a year on UK roads.

By 1994, 250,000 people had taken and passed their advanced test. Today the numbers of people killed on UK roads stands at slightly over 1,700.

To date more than 400,000 people have passed the advanced test for drivers and riders, which is delivered by over 200 local groups around the country. Those groups are ably manned by a network of more than 5,000 volunteers.

Chris said: “I am delighted to be a part of IAM RoadSmart’s 60th anniversary. I also look forward to meeting so many real enthusiasts who know so much about the UK motoring scene over the years. I’m sure myself and Sue sharing our tales of our Top Gear years will be a lot of fun.”

Added Sue, who takes her advanced test every decade to ensure her skills are up-to-date, said: “I really enjoyed my time on Top Gear, and alongside Chris and Paddy it should be a lively discussion with a lot of laughs. I am looking forward to celebrating IAM RoadSmart’s 60 years on the day.”

Eloise said: “I am happy to be a part of IAM RoadSmart’s birthday party. It’ll be great to bring a different perspective to the panel, and shows that the organisation welcomes the opinions of young people.”

For more information about the event and to book tickets online (at £10 a person), click here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/carparty  

Or you can book over the phone on 0300 303 1134.

IAM RoadSmart has a similar party a week earlier for biking enthusiasts. Taking place at the National Motor Museum on 2 July 2, more information can be obtained here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/bikeparty

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Further information from:

IAM RoadSmart press office – 020 8996 9777 – press.office@iam.org.uk 

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IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com