Motorsport Driver 'Devastated' After Championship-Winning Car Stolen from Midland Garage
A motorsport driver has been left devastated after his championship-winning race car was stolen from a garage in the Midlands. Jon Langmead's Lotus Elise 135R, which he purchased during lockdown and used to secure multiple hillclimb trophies, was taken from HPE Automotive in Bromsgrove.
Trailer Stolen Before Garage Closing
Jon Langmead left his car at HPE Automotive for maintenance, stored in a trailer, on the evening of Friday, February 28. However, before the garage closed for the day, a group of raiders drove off with the trailer containing the valuable vehicle. West Mercia Police are currently investigating the incident and have appealed for information.
Irreplaceable Car with Championship Pedigree
The Lotus Elise 135R is described as irreplaceable by Jon's daughter, Faith Langmead. She emphasized that the car means everything to the family and has won multiple championships. In December, Jon finished top of his class, winning Class A(i) of the British Hillclimb Cup. Hillclimbing is a motorsport where drivers race uphill around a course to beat competitors' times.
Theft Occurs at Critical Time Before Season Start
With the hillclimb season only weeks away, Faith Langmead stated that the theft happened at the most horrendous time. She explained that her father had been looking forward to the start of the season next month, and this incident has severely impacted their plans. Despite the car not being worth a lot monetarily to some, it holds immense sentimental and competitive value for Jon, who has spent considerable time and effort on it.
Community Support and Hope for Recovery
The motorsport community has rallied in support, with thousands of shares on social media raising awareness about the theft. Faith mentioned that they have received a tip-off suggesting the car is still in the UK and intact, providing a glimmer of hope. She expressed initial fears that her father might never see the car again but now believes recovery is possible if they can locate it.
Anyone with information is urged to email Faith at faithlangmead@icloud.com or contact West Mercia Police, quoting crime reference number 22
