The 37-year-old from Manchester is now supporting RAC members in van after being crowned Patrol Ambassador of the Year by the leading motorists’ organisation.
A runner-up in last year’s Patrol Ambassador of the Year competition, Ben fought off nearly 1,500 colleagues from all over the UK to take the top prize this time around. The decision is based on a host of criteria including productivity and roadside ‘fix’ rates, and customer satisfaction.
RAC CEO Chris Woodhouse presented Wilson with the keys at the firm’s headquarters in Walsall, West Midlands.
He said: “Our most valuable asset is the brand we’ve built over almost 120 years, based on the quality of our service. Ben Wilson represents the pinnacle of what that’s all about. He always goes the extra mile in doing what’s right not only for the customer, but for the business too.”
Eye-catching in its familiar, bright orange livery, Wilson’s new Vito 116 Long also bears the personalised registration plate, P1 RAC. The vehicle is powered by a 163hp Euro 6 BlueTEC engine – the first in its class to meet the latest emissions standard – and drives through an optional 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox, which combines an automatic transmission with torque converter and seven gears.
The vehicle has also been racked out by Bri-Stor systems to carry a full inventory of 500 tools and parts that each RAC patrol carries, as well as fuel and a special folding trailer for cars that require towing. The trailer is stored just inside the roof-hinged tailgate and can be winched in and out in minutes. The roof-mounted flashing lightbar at the rear of the vehicle, meanwhile, can also be folded down when the patrol needs to negotiate a particularly low barrier or low-ceilinged car park.
RAC fleet manager Tim Hartles and fleet engineer David Paisley are also said to be currently in talks with Mercedes-Benz to replace 42 Vito vehicles. These will be delivered next year by Dealer Midlands Truck & Van and, in a new departure for the RAC, like Ben Wilson’s van will all be equipped with automatic transmissions.
