The BAC Mono set to appear at several stages of the 2016 Gumball 3000 rally.

• The BAC Mono set to appear at several stages of the 2016 Gumball 3000 rally
• The bespoke British supercar will be at the flag drop at the events start in Dublin
• The Mono will also feature in the Regent Street parade as the celebrity-studded supercar event stops off in London
• Gumball 3000 founder Maximillion Cooper will be taking the wheel of the Mono as the rally stops off at the Hungaroring in Hungary
• BAC is donating a driving experience day in a Mono at a UK track to be auctioned for charity at the Gumball 3000 Foundation dinner on the final night of this year’s event

The BAC Mono will be playing a starring role in this year’s running of the Gumball 3000 with the single-seater supercar appearing at several key points of the celebrity-studded rally. Fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the BAC Mono up close, but only a select few will be taking to the wheel, including the founder of Gumball 3000, Maximillion Cooper.

The Mono will be making its very first appearance on the opening day of the 2016 Gumball 3000 event, and will be taking part in the start-line parade when the flag drops in Dublin on 1 May. The team will be around to meet media and fans, before heading off for London.

The car’s next appearance will be the following day, when it takes part in a parade on Regent Street in the heart of London. The Mono will be lining up alongside other supercars, and fans will be able to get up close and see the car moving on the capital’s streets. The car appearing in London will be one of the very latest, bespoke examples of the Mono, which will show off the ways in which the car can be tailored to each customer’s desires.

From then, the car heads to Budapest, where the Gumball 3000 is due to take part in a track day on 5 May at the famous Hungaroring. None other than the founder of Gumball 3000, Maximillion Cooper, will drive the official BAC Mono around the circuit. The car Maximillion will be driving will be joined on the track by another car, owned by regular Gumball 3000 participant Josh Cartu, making it a rare opportunity to see two examples of the world’s most bespoke supercar alongside one another.

BAC will also be involved in the final act of this year’s Gumball 3000, with the company offering up a money-can’t-buy opportunity for the charity auction that takes place at the Gumball 3000 Foundation dinner on 7 May in Budapest.

The winner of the auction will be able to enjoy a track day at a UK circuit of their choice. They will spend the day with official BAC test driver Oliver Webb, who will give them coaching to help them get to grips with the car, before they head out on track. The winning bidder will also take home on-board video and photo footage from their drive as a memento of the day. The lot will also include a tour around the BAC factory, and the company’s home city of Liverpool.

BAC co-founder and director of product development, Neill Briggs, said: “The BAC Mono is at the pinnacle of the supercar world, and we are delighted to have been invited to be present at several key points of this year’s Gumball 3000. We look forward to meeting the fans and showing off the car at the start line in Dublin and again in London as part of the supercar parade.

“We’re also pleased to be able to support the Gumball 3000 Foundation and hope to help raise lots of money for charity and give someone an unforgettable experience in a Mono in the process.”

Gumball 3000 founder Maximillion Cooper said: “I’m a big supporter of British brands and BAC is one of the coolest automotive companies out there. The Mono supercar looks stunning and I can’t wait to have a go!

“It is also fantastic that BAC have donated such an exclusive experience for the Gumball 3000 Foundation, and I'm confident it will prove really popular come the charity auction, especially after the car has been on show throughout Gumball 3000 this year.”

In keeping with the visual drama of Gumball 3000 the BAC Mono will be wearing a special wrap for the event, showing off the Gumball 3000 logo.

The Star on a reasonably priced car, a statement everyone knows, and the car, the Astra, is up for auction.

Vauxhall Motors auction BBC Top Gear’s Reasonably Priced Car for charity BEN

Vauxhall Motors has opened the bidding on a piece of motoring history – the Vauxhall Astra used by BBC Top Gear as their ‘Reasonably Priced Car’ with automotive industry charity, BEN.

The five-door Power Red 1.6-litre (115bhp) Vauxhall Astra Tech Line has been added to eBay raise funds to raise awareness and funds for the charity.  Bids can placed at www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/231786726259 with all proceeds being donated to BEN.

BEN’s goal is to make positive differences to people’s lives in the automotive industry, supporting them in times of difficulty through a wide range of free, confidential information, advice and support services. Through the donations it receives, BEN is able to help families, for example with the cost of specialist disability equipment for children, giving emotional support through an illness, or providing guidance on how to deal with financial worries. BEN also offers a range of services from nursing to end of life care via its four residential centres around the country.

• Mileage – 2,908
• 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels
• Sat-nav system with seven-inch colour monitor
• Three-spoke leather-covered sports steering wheel
• Multi-function trip computer
• USB connection with iPod control
• Mobile phone system with Bluetooth
• Digital radio with six premium speakers
• Chrome-effect exterior side window surround
• Front Corbeau Sprint Racing seats with 5 point safety belt harness and full roll-cage

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bidders should be aware that the airbags have all been disabled making room for the roll-cage.  To re-instate the airbags would involve removing the roll-cage and seating.  So, in its current state, the car is not type-approved and should not be driven on the road.  The Vauxhall Technical Team will work with the successful bidder at handover to fully explain how the vehicle has been adapted. Please be aware converting the vehicle back into use on the public highway would incur significant cost.

With an estimated 350 million views in 170 different countries per week, the Vauxhall Astra was initiated with a star-studded barbeque, featuring celebrities including comedians Jimmy Carr and Warwick Davis, and singers Brian Johnson and Joss Stone.  Celebrities such as Olly Murs, who topped the leader board, Margot Robbie, Ron Howard and James Blunt all thrashed it around the Top Gear Test Track at Dunsfold Park, Surrey.

“David Main, BEN Chief Executive commented on the auction, saying: “We are reliant on the generosity of our supporters to enable us to continue our work helping people who work within the UK automotive industry, so we are very grateful to Vauxhall Motors for this kind donation of a piece of history for a great cause.”

BBC TOP GEAR’S REASONABLY PRICED CAR LEADERBOARD

1:44.6 – Olly Murs

1:44.7 – Nicholas Hoult

1:44.7 – Aaron Paul

1:45.1 – Brian Johnson

1:45.6 – Jimmy Carr

1:46.1 – Hugh Jackman

1:46.7 – David Haye

1:46.8 – Warwick Davis

1:47.1 – Margot Robbie

1:47.2 – Will Smith

1.47.8 – Benedict Cumberbatch

1:48.5 – Rachel Riley

1:48.5 – Gillian Anderson

1:48.8 – Charles Dance

1:48.9 – Joss Stone

1:49.2 – Kiefer Sutherland (wet)

1:49.4 – James Blunt (very very wet)

1:49.9 – Ron Howard

1:49.9 – Tom Hiddleston (very wet)

1:50.1 – Hugh Bonneville (wet)

1:51.0 – Steven Tyler

1:51.5 – Mike Rutherford

1:54.3 - Ed Sheeran (automatic) (wet)

1.54.5 – Jack Whitehall (automatic)