CAM has appointed Mark Styles to its board of Directors. With £8.3 million of tyre transactions already being processed monthly by CAM’s ecommerce solutions, Styles’ appointment confirms CAM’s ambition to strengthen its position as the market leader in digital solutions for the tyre industry.

“Mark has 20 years’ experience in a global tyre network and his ecommerce skills are second to none.  His expertise and innovation will be instrumental in helping us deliver our exciting new portfolio of online sales products.” explains Mike Allen, managing director of CAM.

Mark Styles adds, “I am genuinely excited to be joining CAM. Adding my automotive ecommerce experience to CAM’s established tyre solutions has such huge opportunities for new innovation – something tyre retailers and consumers are really ready for.”

With 40 years’ history keeping the tyre industry moving, CAM is the UK’s leading tyre solutions provider chosen by 19 of the top 25 tyre wholesalers and 16 of the top 25 tyre retailers.

Following the huge success of his fourth 2021 championship, CAM is extending its sponsorship of current MINI CHALLENGE UK overall champion Dan Zelos for the 2022 season.

The new sponsorship agreement will enable 23-year-old Dan to continue his driving development in the MINI CHALLENGE UK series. It will also help him on his continued journey to become an established driver in the British Touring Car Championship, the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Dan had a string of strong performances in the 2021 MINI CHALLENGE UK, which included four wins alongside four other podium appearances, culminating in him being crowned overall champion - and in 2022 he will look to retain his title. Dan’s form during the 2021 season has resulted in him being named as EXCELR8 Motorsport’s BTCC reserve driver for 2022, which means he will make his BTCC debut should any of EXCELR8 Motorsport’s four regular drivers be unable to compete for any reason. It also highlights the belief the team has in his driving ability and shows that he is a real contender for a driving slot for the 2023 season.

In addition to this driving promotion, Dan is also an EXCELR8 motorsport team instructor and this new role will see him pass on his driving experience to rookies on the team in the MINI CHALLENGE UK. He will also be gaining valuable race experience on the other side of the pit wall as he manages EXCELR8’s Mini Cooper Cup team days.

Mike Allen, managing director of CAM, says, “We are continually investing in young talent, whether that be within the business or on the track, so we are excited to continue supporting Dan for his fifth season. His performances have levelled up each year and it was exciting to see CAM’s logo at the front of the pack and on the podium in 2021 and we look forward to more of the same in 2022.”

Dan Zelos adds, “CAM and I have a strong relationship and the company’s support has enabled me to grow rapidly as a driver and achieve one of my goals, which was to become MINI CHALLENGE UK overall champion. We will be aiming for more wins and podium finishes this season, so I am looking forward to more thrilling race days that will, in turn, help increase awareness of CAM. In addition, I am excited to see where our partnership goes in 2022 and beyond as I continue to make my way up the racing pyramid to achieve my goals, which include getting into BTCC in 2023.”

Photos credit: Matt Walker

“You’ve got to beat the best if you’re going to be the best” are the words of CAM sponsored Richard Gifford as he looks ahead to the second weekend of the Ultimate Pool Challenger Series at The Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.

Gifford calmly explains he has landed “a couple of tough draws” but his game plan is clear. “Play the balls, not the player.”

Drawing on his impressive 9th out of 256 competing at the European Championship earlier in the year, Gifford is still feeling positive. “With the help of my world ranking Welsh teammate Tom Cousins, I’ve come to realise I play better when I put myself out there. Be willing to miss. Be bold, have faith and take the risk.”

It’s a strategy that worked well for Gifford in his opening weekend of the Ultimate Pool Challenger Series where he finished in the last 32.

“I won my first match 6-1, my second 6-2, then a hard-fought 6-5 win in the last 64 but I eventually ran out of steam in the last 32 losing 6-0. It probably didn’t help I found a tiny split on my main cue ferrule! But overall I was happy. It was a good start to the year.”

Giffords’ preparations for Challenger events 3 and 4 in Birmingham have been two-fold. A joiner by day, Gifford has personally rebuilt his own cue and has since been “getting to know how it behaves.” This time was also spent on regular practice matches with fellow Welsh team players; time he also credits CAM for.

“Thanks to CAM’s backing I am able to invest my time in my development as a pool player. I am able to spend more time on the practice table and working on situational play.”

Ranked 16th for the 2022 World Championship, Giffords ultimate goal for the Ultimate Pool Challenger season remains the same. “Finish in the top 16 of the 288 amateurs competing and earn promotion to the 2023 professional ranks!”

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• Watch the Ultimate Pool Challenger Series in person at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham on Friday 15th to Monday 18th April 2022.

• Or catch the extensive live television coverage on FreeSports TV.

• Track Gifford’s draws and scores

• Follow Gifford on Facebook