YOUR SHOW GUESTS AND PRESENTERS
For this very special Anniversary event and year, we are joined by two of the most pivotal figures in creating the Mazda MX-5, Bob Hall and Tom Matano. You’ll be able to meet them at some special engagements during the event. We are also being joined by Practical Classics Editor Danny Hopkins and AutoAlex and the day as ever, will be held together by the talented Tim Watson.
BOB HALL
Bob is a former American motoring journalist known in the car industry for his work as an automotive strategist and product planner, but perhaps he is best known as the founder member of the development team who produced the Mazda MX-5.
His first sketch of a two-seater convertible car in 1979 resulted in him being offered the job to lead the project by Mazda in 1981. Bob is considered to be the "father" of the MX-5, although he will be the first to point out to you that he is not responsible for the engineering and styling work that brought the vehicle into production.
Perhaps without his initial thoughts and subsequent guidance, the car that we all know and love today, may never have come into being! We owe Bob a debt of gratitude for not only the car that lead to the founding of the Club, but that 35 years later this event can be staged.
His first sketch of a two-seater convertible car in 1979 resulted in him being offered the job to lead the project by Mazda in 1981. Bob is considered to be the "father" of the MX-5, although he will be the first to point out to you that he is not responsible for the engineering and styling work that brought the vehicle into production.
Perhaps without his initial thoughts and subsequent guidance, the car that we all know and love today, may never have come into being! We owe Bob a debt of gratitude for not only the car that lead to the founding of the Club, but that 35 years later this event can be staged.
TOM MATANO
In 1983, Tom joined Mazda’s North American studio as a Chief Designer. From there, he went on to become Executive Vice President of Western Operations for Mazda R&D North America, Inc., and Executive Designer & Director of Mazda North American Operations.
From 1999 to 2002, Tom worked at Mazda’s headquarters in Japan as an Executive Designer in the Global Advance Studio, overseeing efforts for Japan, Europe, and North America; and eventually he was named General Manager of Mazda Design in charge of all Chief Designers.
His accomplishments at Mazda include the 1993 RX-7 and the MX-5, in addition to many other projects produced by the design teams he built and managed.
Since 2002, he has been committed to becoming an educator, using his diverse knowledge and experience to enhance the Industrial Design program at Academy of Art University in San Francisco to this day.
From 1999 to 2002, Tom worked at Mazda’s headquarters in Japan as an Executive Designer in the Global Advance Studio, overseeing efforts for Japan, Europe, and North America; and eventually he was named General Manager of Mazda Design in charge of all Chief Designers.
His accomplishments at Mazda include the 1993 RX-7 and the MX-5, in addition to many other projects produced by the design teams he built and managed.
Since 2002, he has been committed to becoming an educator, using his diverse knowledge and experience to enhance the Industrial Design program at Academy of Art University in San Francisco to this day.
DaNNY HOPKINS
Danny Hopkins is editor of Practical Classics Magazine, Britain's biggest selling classic car publication. He is a multi-award-winning motoring journalist, who has worked across and edited several market-leading titles.
He is a veteran of more than a dozen classic restorations and rebuilds and currently owns ten classics (that he will admit to). He is a former actor, published playwright, an accomplished presenter and after dinner speaker and, among other questionable skills, can drive a steam train.
Danny is also serial MX-5 Owner and restorer, you can check out his latest project during the show.
He is a veteran of more than a dozen classic restorations and rebuilds and currently owns ten classics (that he will admit to). He is a former actor, published playwright, an accomplished presenter and after dinner speaker and, among other questionable skills, can drive a steam train.
Danny is also serial MX-5 Owner and restorer, you can check out his latest project during the show.
'AUTO' ALEX KERSTEN
Alex Kersten needs no introduction to many in the MX-5 community, best known for his love of his Mazda MX-5 "Phil" (possibly the most famous MX-5 on the internet), he is a car-obsessed presenter and YouTuber, and a champion of magnificent high-mileage heroes, rusty BMWs and an eclectic automotive collection that bares no shame.
Alex will join us in the afternoon to update us on his 2 year journey since going it alone to recently creating a new YouTube studio of productions, featuring some of the finest automotive and adventure shows available on the internet. If you haven't managed to catch his exploits, you can find his videos on his main channel https://www.youtube.com/@AutoalexCars
Alex will join us in the afternoon to update us on his 2 year journey since going it alone to recently creating a new YouTube studio of productions, featuring some of the finest automotive and adventure shows available on the internet. If you haven't managed to catch his exploits, you can find his videos on his main channel https://www.youtube.com/@AutoalexCars
YOUR PRESENTER ON THE DAY - 'our' TIM WATSON
Returning to present the MX-5 AnniversaryRally is long-standing friend of the Club and professional show compere Tim Watson.
Many of you know Our Tim, he presents numerous shows and events across the UK, and is a regular at the British Motor Museum. Tim started his MX-5 journey in a mk1 back in 2012 and has been a huge fan of the MX-5 ever since.
Over the years, he has presented many of our Spring and National Rallies, interviewing guests and even being cut out of crashed cars all for your entertainment. Not only is Tim is back presenting the show this year, but he will once again be filming the highlights video! If you head over to youtube.com/ourtim you’ll get a notification as soon as the video goes live as well as supporting Tim and his work.
Many of you know Our Tim, he presents numerous shows and events across the UK, and is a regular at the British Motor Museum. Tim started his MX-5 journey in a mk1 back in 2012 and has been a huge fan of the MX-5 ever since.
Over the years, he has presented many of our Spring and National Rallies, interviewing guests and even being cut out of crashed cars all for your entertainment. Not only is Tim is back presenting the show this year, but he will once again be filming the highlights video! If you head over to youtube.com/ourtim you’ll get a notification as soon as the video goes live as well as supporting Tim and his work.
