↑ bradford motoring club mela
@theleapbd
the mela brings together communities and inspires young people into a motoring career
A motoring-themed festival celebrating Bradfords passion for car culture was one of the community led events this summer It’s aim is to smash stereotypes about Bradford’s car culture - as well as inspire young people to turn their automotive passion into a career.
The BMC car ‘mela’ event held on Saturday (September 2) organised by Bradford Modified Club, has teamed up with the Fuelling Futures campaign.
Photo: Organiser Mo Ali, who is founder of Bradford Modified Club
what is it all about?
The campaign is run by community-led arts and culture organisation The Leap, along with Bradford College and Bradford Council, and is supported by Mission 44, a charity founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton to support and empower young people from underrepresented groups to get into STEM and motorsport careers.
The car mela included a car show featuring 40 vehicles, from Lamborghinis to modified Golfs. Showcases will include supercars, American ‘muscle’, performance cars, ‘hot hatches’, classic cars and more, with some proud owners bringing their vehicles to Bradford from far and wide.
Visitors saw and took part in activities including learning the basics of car maintenance and a wheel workshop. Young people spoke to others who share their passion and zeal for all things automotive, and the day will promote interest, skills and learning in the motorsport and car industries, and how to get into them via routes like apprenticeships with Bradford College.
The community-led car mela will also include a whole host of entertainment, live DJ, mehndi stall, food and drink, bouncy castle and more.
Organiser Mo Ali, who is founder of Bradford Modified Club, said: “We are working alongside Fuelling Futures to create a safe space for young people and the community of Bradford and surrounding areas to celebrate their car passion. People want to see cars, learn things and have a good time.
“We want to bring people together to have a good time, and for car owners to show off their works of art.
“Our cars ARE art, they are a cause for celebration, something a lot of people in Bradford believe in. It’s this love of cars and community that will bring people together.”
Sabir Musaji, Fuelling Futures co-ordinator at The Leap, said: “The Fuelling Futures campaign goes from strength to strength with this event, led by Mo Ali of BMC. This is true community-led culture, celebrating the passion for Bradford’s car culture.”
The car mela is part of a summer of wider motorsport and STEM themed activity being held as part of the Fuelling Futures campaign.