It may not be common knowledge, but Witney in Oxfordshire is twinned with the delightful French seaside resort of Le Touquet. This fascinating factoid is the inspiration behind the Twin Town Challenge 2014 – a Top Gear-esque motoring escapade that’s taking place May 23-26 and is aimed at raising funds for the Charlbury-based charity, SpecialEffect.

Among the 80 or so entries is ‘Team Reverse Gear’, that comprises four doughty members of Witney’s international classic car parts supplier British Motor Heritage – in no particular order of talent, they are: Derrick Jephcott, Dave Jeffs, Matt Street and Richard Gaunt. Their weapon of choice is a feisty 1996 Rover 216 Coupe that meets the event regulations by having cost no more than £500. The 1,000 mile route between Witney and Le Touquet will take in the Brands Hatch and Le Mans race circuits as well as the lesser known French track Croix En Ternois.

The teams compete for points in a myriad of ways, and one of the early challenges was to get a beer bottle signed by a celebrity. Expertly combining their love of cars and beer, ‘Team Reverse Gear’ managed to capture the signature of renowned motoring TV presenter Quentin Willson.

Said Derrick Jephcott: “It goes without saying that we are treating the event very seriously, as proven by the many hours we’ve spent discussing the matter in the pub. Truthfully though, as both the cars and the beer bottles will be auctioned for charity post-event, you can rest assured we will be taking pretty good care of both the mighty Rover and Mr Willson’s signature!”

More details of the Twin Town Challenge 2014 can be found at www.specialeffect.org.uk and anybody wishing to support this very worthy cause can make a donation via that website.