SMT GB’s sponsorship of the WRX World Rallycross Volvo CE Dealership team recently resulted in customers and race weekend visitors having the opportunity to see the Volvo electric machine range up close.
On the weekend of the WRX Championship races at Lydden Hill racetrack, unforeseen circumstances meant the scheduled RX1E races were unable to go ahead as planned. However, all of the other championship races scheduled were permitted to run, including the RX2e Championship, BRX Supercar Championship and Retro demo races.
The decision ensured that the joint SMT and Volvo team were able to offer all Lydden Hill visitors a look into the future of the construction industry.
As a reward for their contributions throughout the year, SMT GB’s staff were invited to attend the race weekend on the Saturday with their families. Customers were also invited to join with their families the following day.
All visitors over the course of the weekend were able to visit the team in the Volvo Activation Area, which offered a glimpse of Volvo’s next generation of electric machines, including the 23-tonne EC230 Electric excavator, and L120H Electric Conversion wheeled loader.
The L25 Electric wheeled loader and EC18 Electric excavator were also displayed, while visitors were invited to try out the ECR18 Electric excavator for a timed operator skills challenge.
There was also an opportunity to meet Volvo’s CE Dealer race team, Klara Andersson and Niclas Grönholm. In addition to securing autographs and photos with the team, visitors heard presentations from product development team manager David Dutton and director of strategic accounts Phil Battle, who both outlined Volvo and SMT’s vision for the future and the solutions both companies have available today to help make this a reality.
Phil Battle said, “It is impossible not to feel inspired when you feel the energy from the Volvo CE Dealer Team. The physical and mental preparation that both Klara and Niclas put into the build up to a race weekend like Lydden Hill must be immense. To see how they handled the disappointment following the news on Friday was truly amazing – they are both an absolute credit to the team.
“We were thrilled to see so many staff members and customers enjoying the race weekend with their families. It was a great feeling not only to talk through SMT and Volvo’s vision for the future, but to showcase the products and solutions available today. The atmosphere all throughout the race weekend was absolutely electric, and we can’t wait for the WRX Championship to come back to Britain next year.”
