A world-first event aimed to inspire car designers of the future is launching in Manchester.
The partnership between Jaguar Land Rover, family-owned regional automotive retailer Williams and Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester aims to inspire the imagination of children and give them a hands-on opportunity to design, race and play with vehicles.
Hugo Nightingale and Jannik Becker, car designers from Jaguar Land Rover visited Legoland to help children create mini vehicles made from Lego. They gave youngsters a helping hand to bring their vehicle visions to life and to test them on ramps across tough Lego landscape on the Land Rover Discovery Build Table which has been specially commissioned for the LEGO Racers Build and Test in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover.
Children had the opportunity to create and build their own versions of performance SUV the Jaguar F-PACE, learning how to make them go even faster, be more aero dynamic and zoom across the finish line first.
The collaboration is being celebrated by Williams, the leading retailer of Jaguar Land Rover across the North West.
Gary Nickson, Head of Business at Williams Jaguar Land Rover Manchester, said:
“As we build our new automotive retail centre here at TraffordCity close to Legoland Discovery Centre, we want to showcase the ingenuity and craftsmanship required to create the cars of the future. Our collaboration is a fun way to introduce children to what it takes to design and build a car – albeit on a tiny scale!”
Laura Wood, Head of Global PR Brand & Partnerships Jaguar Land Rover, added: “Ideas invent the future and the children here have the opportunity to bring their own creativity to the table and make cars that they can test in this specially commissioned environment.
“Getting their hands on the Lego versions of the components required to make rugged and speedy cars will be an introduction to design and engineering for many children – all played out in a fun environment.
“Jaguar Land Rover is committed to inspiring the next generation of designers and engineers, and this initiative adds to our extensive education programme to encourage more students to take up science, technology, maths and engineering.”
Families with children aged 3-10 are invited to let their creativity and imaginations take over as they build Lego cars, participate in races, compete for the LEGO Racer champion’s cup and take photographs on the specially created Jaguar Land Rover winner’s podium until 6 January 2019, with the partnership possibly being extended beyond that date.
Jenn McDonough, General Manager, Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester, added: “We look forward to hosting this new partnership with Jaguar Land Rover and Williams, welcoming families to take part in super-charged LEGO play activities in the LEGO Racers Build and Test area.
“As an attraction focused on entertaining families, our partnership with Williams as a family-owned business represents a natural fit.”
This first of its kind event will run at Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester over half term and Christmas holidays until 6 January, and possibly beyond that date. Early booking is highly advised to avoid disappointment. For tickets and information, please visit: https://manchester.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk/tickets/
The build programme for Williams’ new £41m automotive retail centre for Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and MINI is on track with structural steelwork in place on the 14.3-acre site adjacent to the car park for John Lewis and Partners at the Trafford Centre in the newly created TraffordCity zone.
