We’re shining a light on the innovators shaping the future of the classic and historic sector.... Meet Ethan Blake-Jones from Paddock Speedshop:

"We are the Paddock Speedshop - a small team brought together with a single mission: to get the next generation behind the wheel of classic cars. We aim to achieve this by creating a selection of television shows that will inspire a young, unconventional audience and prove that anyone is welcome in all corners of this incredible industry. Be it through ownership, professional participation, enthusiastic spectatorship or even racing, this industry does not discriminate and has a place for all.

Our production company, Speedshop Productions Limited (SPL), first set out to create a resto-modding show, making accessible British classic cars relevant to the next generation and capable on the modern road. Fate had other plans and through an unprecedented chain of events we found ourselves at the racetrack, racing door to door with the most established car preparers and most elite of classic race drivers. In this paddock of wealth and competition, once again we were shown just how welcoming this industry is to new, young blood and how eager they were to nurture our team but also embrace the challenge and spirit we brought to their door. Our entry to the sport, our rise and many falls is all documented in our first completed Show Paddock Speedshop: Racing Diaries.

“Three years ago, a team of young car restorers were thrust into the world of historic motorsport when they were offered to race a genuine Shelby Cobra at the Silverstone Festival. They battled against impossible schedules to get themselves and car to the starting grid, this monumental achievement was crushed when the Cobra engine failed at the end of the race. Two years later we follow the team in their Marcos 1800GT racing car, as they fight against all odds to complete their first full season of racing and return to Silverstone with one goal: to cross the finish line.”

The story takes the audience through the whole racing process: from licensing with MSUK, to building experience and earning license ticks in the Nankang City Car Cup, to standing on the podium at the Equipe Supersprint. We hope our audience will watch the show, and our candid interactions with members of the industry, and realise that we The Paddock Speedshop, are not alone in our mission. There are efforts across this sector to usher in new talent, namely of course StarterMotor Charity.

We had been peripherally aware of the Charity since our conception, seeing it as welcome effort but of little consequence to those who needed support, however our relationship reached new heights when Steve and Gracie reconstructed the Charity. In our eyes, they have brought a balance of passion, along with a robust strategy to truly make a difference. Their mission has included the targeting of local schools to draw out the curious at a younger age, and have ramped up presence at events to bolster their constant efforts to expand the Charity’s influence throughout the industry. Their progress has been both refreshing and inspiring.

Thanks to StarterMotor, we have been given opportunities to speak to secondary school students at two pivotal points in their development, option selection (choosing what GCSEs to take) and GCSE level (completing GSCEs before choosing higher education, apprenticeship or the world of work). These two groups comprise a crucial part of our target audience. Talking to the students face to face and understanding what excites them and what they expect from modern transport will continue to inform the way we construct the restoration show. Our goal is to keep it engaging for the enthusiasts in their 50s (who typically enjoy the restoration genre) whilst being exciting and aspirational to those deciding what path in life they wish to take. Plus, encompassing those starting out in their motoring lives (17-25 year olds) who are taking to social media and filling car meets on an ever-increasing scale.

By all indications, our first television series will be on air via a major streaming network globally in the spring of 2026. After 4 years of gruelling production, our mission will finally reach its first measure of success. 2026 is more than just a release year for us as we shall be shooting Season 2 of Paddock Speedshop: Racing Diaries in which the team enters their first championship to truly prove their mettle, all whilst Season 1 of our Resto-Mod show Paddock Speedshop: Restoration for a new Generation wraps productionand enters the post production phase ahead of its own global release.

Our journey has by no means been an easy one, but struggle is a necessity of revolution. We could not have made it this far without the tenacity and sacrifice of each member of our small team and the dedicated support of our loyal sponsors.

We all know what must be done. Let’s show the next generation where they belong."

🌐 https://paddock-speedshop.com/

📱https://www.instagram.com/paddockspeedshop/