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B. I. Appleton’s Takes Brands-Hatch
Sponsoring a driver in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Clubsport AM Championship Our B. I. Appleton family has grown with our new edition...the 2025 Porsche Sprint Challenge Clubsport AM champion, Hannah Chapman! We had the absolute pleasure of supporting Hannah at her final race at Brands Hatch Racing Circuit, and it got us thinking about the business, and how we have adapted to being the sponsors of two drivers in the space of a couple of months. I. Appleton’s was once just a rickety old barn turned motor vehicle workshop, opened by Basil Appleton in 1939. The barn survived through the war, until his son Gerrard was old enough and qualified enough to take over in 2001, when his father sadly died. This rich family history is testament to the attitudes surrounding the company, which have continued and grown with current owner Phil Evans, and his brother Harry Evans. Phil has always aimed to build the business around excellent and warm customer service, putting satisfaction first. This, I feel, attracted me to the company, as Phil proves what a breath of fresh air a humble family business, with expert knowledge of performance and mechanics can be to the drivers we sponsor. This was incredibly evident at Brands Hatch on Sunday 5th October. After a long 4-hour drive, Phil, and apprentices Ewan Butters and Jack Aldridge were bounding over to the pit lane, where we were met by the cars of the BTCC. The atmosphere was booming, with...
B.I. Appleton Ltd Proudly Sponsors Rising Motorsport Star Will Orton
We're thrilled to announce that B.I. Appleton Ltd has become an official partner of Will Orton Racing, supporting this talented young driver as he takes on the prestigious European GT4 championship in 2025. Will Orton, who has been making waves in motorsport since starting karting at age 5, brings an impressive racing pedigree to the partnership. After successful campaigns in the Ginetta GT5 series and a fantastic 2024 season in British GT with Forsetti Motorsport racing the all-new Aston Martin Vantage, Will is now stepping up to compete in European GT4 – one of the most competitive racing series in Europe. Why We're Supporting Will At B.I. Appleton Ltd, we've been serving the automotive community since 1939, and we understand the importance of precision, reliability, and performance – values that perfectly align with Will's approach to motorsport. As a proud member of the Bosch Car Service network, we recognise the dedication and technical excellence that goes into competitive racing. What This Partnership Means This sponsorship represents more than just our logo on a race car. It's about supporting British motorsport talent and showcasing our commitment to automotive excellence at the highest level. Will's journey from karting champion to European GT4 competitor mirrors our own evolution from a traditional garage to a modern, technology-driven automotive service centre. European GT4 – The Next Level The European GT4 championship features over 40 cars on the grid,...
75 Years in Business
75 Years in business In the year 2014 B.I. Appleton Ltd (Appletons) celebrates 75 years in business. A great deal has changed since Basil Appleton bought a rickety old barn to use as his motor vehicle work-shop. At this time Basil shared his work space with some pigs. War rudely interrupted the development of the business. Basil was called up and proudly joined the Royal Navy (despite suffering from sea sickness), where he contributed to the war effort by working as an engineer onboard a landing craft, transporting troops to France on “D Day”. While Basil was serving his country the charging of accumulator batteries (which were used to power ones wireless) took place in the barn. Basil met Mabs who was serving in the WRAF and stationed at Ringway. They went on to marry and had two children Roslyn and Gerrard and seven Grandchildren. Gerrard joined the business aged 15 years and worked his way through the ranks, serving his apprentice-ship and attending college in the evening to gain further qualifications. Basil worked in the business until the year 2000 when he became ill and died in 2001 aged 79 years. Gerrard, now married and a proud father and doting grandparent has sole charge and business is thriving, mostly due to personal recommendation from loyal customers. Appletons prides itself on the quality and service it delivers and the personal touch, which is synonymous with a family run business of long standing.