Have a Go: My Year as the Automotive Travel Guide

When Lewis asked me to summarise my year, I had to take a minute. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I needed to look back and properly audit what I’d actually achieved. Turns out, quite a lot.

It started with passion, and absolutely no clue

I started making videos in April 2024, and I didn’t have a clue. I knew I had a passion for the automotive world, and when I’m passionate about something, I don’t just want to observe. I want to be a moving part within it.

Many attempts at different video styles and a mass of events later, I still wasn’t getting it.

If you’ve tried to get into content creation, you’ll know how mentally taxing it can be. You throw everything at making quality video that attracts viewership, and then you hit a wall. It played on my mind heavily.

I knew I could tap into it somehow, but clearly not in the way I had been going about it. So I stepped back and asked myself what I truly love about this space.

The answer was simple: aesthetics, and world-building through well-executed events. I also love travelling and understanding the world, like most of our generation. We see it all on our phones and still want a slice of the real thing for ourselves.

So I did the only thing that made sense

Once I’d pinpointed my specific interests, there was only one thing to do: plan trips into Europe and visit the very best events out there.

From the FAT Ice Race in Zell am See to the Tutto Bene hillclimb just off Lake Maggiore, I’ve done what most enthusiasts dream of and documented the whole process through quick, hopefully engaging content designed to inform the community.

The goal was simple: show people these events are far more approachable than they look, and make it easier for others to plan their own trip next time.

No connections, just consistency

I think it’s only right to say I don’t have any previous connections to this world. I’ve built a roster of friends and had opportunities I still can’t believe, simply by having a go and not folding at the hurdles in front of me.

What also helps is setting expectations for yourself. All I wanted from making these videos was access to this world and the incredible people who co-exist within it. I’ve managed that, and I’m genuinely content with it.

Anything from this point on is a blessing, and it comes from the continued enjoyment I get from interacting with the characters that make up car culture.

Two road trips later, the momentum was real

Two major European road trips and plenty of events ticked off, I managed to take my 4.6k following past 10k. I seriously didn’t think I would achieve that this soon, but it definitely didn’t happen from lack of intensity.

I branded myself “the automotive travel guide” and put all my energy into trying to inform and inspire the community. My aim was to show that attending these magical events is more achievable than it looks.

As we go into the new year, I want to craft new trip ideas, keep educating, and get more people moving and experiencing far more than before.

An honourable mention: the SW1 Social story

One of the highlights this year has to be SW1 Social, and the story of growing it alongside Elliot Remington.

In October, Elliot messaged me inviting me to his new concept street meet on the streets of Belgravia, within the SW1 postcode. I felt compelled to show my face because I respect anyone building something from scratch.

With only four cars turning up, it was a humble meet, but I could see the proof of concept. I asked if I could help make it a real part of the UK culture. Elliot said yes.

Five street meets and one community drive later, we’d created the foundations of a thriving touch point within the London car culture calendar, and Elliott only plans to grow it bigger and better as we’re now in the new year.

If you take anything away from this, let it be this

Anyone can do what I’ve done with a small level of grit and a desire to be a little more than you are now. And if you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your future kids, who will say, “My dad has insane lore.”

See you on the road.

Len