The Spark Inside - Issue 04

It has been another exciting month for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd - the latest edition of The Spark Inside shares news of Mr Sparky and his marathon challenge, our infamous Speedway Superstars, the exciting developments of our BoxClever loyalty scheme, and the victory by Speedway prodigy Dan Bewley.

Read on to find out more.

Dan Bewley?wins prestigious title

Speedway star?Dan Bewley?–?who is sponsored by NGK – has?continued?his?impressive?form by?winning?another prestigious title.

The 23-year-old English racer followed up two Grand Prix wins and a British Final victory by landing the prestigious Czech Golden Helmet, reportedly the oldest motorcycle Speedway race in the World being first held in 1929.

Bewley was making his debut in the competition?on the?wide track of?the?Pardubice – Svítkov stadium?which?enables up to six riders to compete in Golden Helmet heats.

Bewley did not have to compete in the qualifiers but went straight into the quarter finals where he topped his group?before coming?second?in his semi-final?and?taking?the?title?in the final?from Vaclav Milik in second?place and Rasmus Jensen in third.

Bewley is currently in fourth place in the FIM 2022 World Speedway Championship,?one place ahead of NGK stablemates Robert Lambert in fifth place, with?Sweden’s?Freddie Lindgren?in sixth?and?three-time World Champion?Tai Woffinden in eighth place.

John Money, of NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It was another?fantastic performance by?Dan?which?stands him in good stead for the?final?Grand?Prix of?the season in?Torun,?Poland?on?October?1.”

NGK winners celebrate Mega points haul

Ten lucky?UK?garages have been?celebrating?after winning?a fantastic?NGK?BoxClever?promotion.

Members of?NGK’s?BoxClever independent garage loyalty scheme?are?encouraged to collect and return NGK single boxes in exchange for points which they can then redeem to select prizes of their choice.

In?the promotion, they were given?double points to fit?the company’s?NTK Lambda, camshaft & crankshaft and MAF and MAP?sensors, earning?300 points for every Lambda sensor purchased and 200 points for every camshaft & crankshaft or MAF and MAP sensor fitted.

Each time they purchased one of the products they?were?entered into a free prize draw where?the?ten lucky?winners each?received?50,000 points!?

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “The promotion?was a great success with more than half-a-million points given away?with?the ten lucky?winners?from all over the UK?each?receiving?50,000 points?to exchange for some fantastic?prizes.”

The lucky?winners?were:?Fast Fit Tyre, Harlow; 4 Smart, Cheltenham; W F C Service Centre Ltd, Norwich; K N Motor Repairs, Macclesfield; Geens Garage, South Molton; Eric W Parker & Co, Northampton; R N M Autos, South Shields; Mike?& Warren?Burgess, Andover; Lethen Motors Ltd, Aberdeen;?and?Little Eaton Garage Ltd, Little Eaton.

Meanwhile, the ignition and sensor?specialist?is currently giving BoxClever members?an even bigger?incentive?to fit its Iridium and?Platinum?‘precious metal’ spark plugs in?its latest?promotion.

It?is?offering?BoxClever?members?extra points when they purchase the?spark plugs?until?December?31, 2022.

They?will receive thirty points each time they?collect and return the NGK single boxes the?spark?plugs come in?–?three?times more?than?normal?during the not-to-be-missed?promotion.

Precious metal spark plugs may be more expensive, but when specified by vehicle manufacturers (VMs) and used during service and repair they will prevent possible problems due to:

??poor ignition performances

??poor tolerance to fouling

??higher ignition coil loads

??and increasing unwanted emissions.

NGK has been developing spark plug technology since the 1930s and manufactures plugs for every type of automotive engine.?

This is why the NGK product range has the right product for nearly every engine and every demand.

??unique design to guarantee the best possible performance

??wide range of different heat ratings for high thermal endurance

??high-performance spark plugs for the newest engine technologies

Mr Sparky’s marathon effort turns him into a TV star

NGK’s Mr Sparky?has?taken?part in the?2022?TCS?London Marathon?in front of thousands of spectators on the streets of the capital and a television audience of millions.

The iconic character competed in the event to help raise funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) and was featured on BBC TV when his exploits were discussed on screen by former athletes Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe who were commentating on the event.

His efforts have helped raise in excess of ￡8000 for the DSA which is committed to improving the quality of life for people who have Down’s Syndrome, promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.

His training partner NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd National Field Sales Manager Stuart Bayne said Mr Sparky enjoyed finally competing in the event after his scheduled appearance in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “Mr Sparky said that it was hard work but very enjoyable. He got some fantastic support from the crowds who lined the streets with them shouting ‘Go on Sparky’ which was really encouraging, so much so that his arm was aching from waving to them all!

“He found out later that the commentators were talking about him during the race with Paula Radcliffe pointing out to Steve Cram that he was a spark plug not a Mister Man!

“It was a very hot day and he took one of two breathers along the way but was delighted to be able to complete the course and raise funds for the DSA.”

If you would like to show your support for Mr Sparky and the DSA please visit the dedicated fund raising page https://tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/stuart-bayne

Speedway stars pipped for World podium place

NGK-sponsored?Speedway?stars have narrowly?missed out on claiming a?2022 FIM World Championship podium?place?following the final Grand Prix of the?season.

Sweden’s Freddie Lindgren finished in fourth place, just three points off the third-placed position, with England’s Robert Lambert on the same points in fifth and countryman Dan Bewley just one point behind in sixth following the last SGP in Poland.

Lindgren and Bewley made the semi-finals in Torun but it was a disappointing night for Lambert who finished in eleventh place, one place ahead of three-time World Champion Tai Woffinden who finished in eighth place in the championship which was won by Poland’s Bartosz Zmarzlik who finished second in the SGP behind Slovakia’s Martin Vaculik.

John Money, of NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It was disappointing for our sponsored riders to miss out on making the podium but they have all put in some fantastic performances over the course of the season with all four finishing in the final top eight positions. I’m sure they will all be back fighting at the top of the leader board next year.”

Ignition and sensor specialist NGK is a long-time supporter of Speedway and its sponsored British Premiership side Wolverhampton Wolves were beaten 47-43 in the first leg of the Play-Off semi-final against Sheffield Tigers with the winners due to face Belle Vue Ace in the final.

For more information about NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services please?visit www.ngkntk.com/uk??