The Spark Inside - Issue 03
It has been another exciting month for NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd - the latest edition of The Spark Inside shares news of Mr Sparky's charity challenge, more success for our Speedway Superstars and confirmation of our attendance at a key industry event.
Read on to find out more.
Mr Sparky is running the London Marathon!
We’re delighted to announce that Mr Sparky is going to take on the BIG ONE – the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 2 October 2022.
He’s been waiting two and a half years for his chance but in just 40 days, he’ll be donning his running shoes to tackle the world-famous 26.2 mile course.
It’s all for a tremendous cause, in support of the Down's Syndrome Association, who are committed to improving the quality of life for people who have Down’s Syndrome, promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
As part of his training Mr Sparky is currently out and about across the country trying to meet as many customers, colleagues, fans and ambassadors as possible.
On his tour he’ll be looking to get tips on high performance, endurance and staying ahead of the competition (!) PLUS he’ll have his donation bucket with him at all times should anyone wish to show their support for his challenge.
If you don’t get to meet him in person, you can use his dedicated fundraising page to pledge your support online via this fundraising page.
Mr Sparky and his NGK Training Team would be truly thankful for anything you can donate.
Dan’s the man again in Poland
British Speedway ace Dan Bewley has achieved back-to-back Grand Prix victories after winning in Poland with NGK stablemate Robert Lambert also making the podium.
Bewley won the Betard FIM Speedway GP of Poland on his home track of Wroclaw ahead of Denmark’s Leon Madsen in second and third-placed Lambert, who achieved his first-ever SGP rostrum finish.
The victory comes just two weeks after Bewley became the first home FIM British Speedway GP winner at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for 15 years.
Bewley and Lambert – FIM Speedway of Nations world champions together in 2021 – wrote more history in Wroclaw. It’s the first time since the 2000 FIM British Speedway GP in Coventry that two Brits have reached an SGP podium.
Bewley insists he has no intention of letting up in his pursuit of honours, even after his first taste of Speedway GP victory in Cardiff.
He said: “After Cardiff, people said to me I should enjoy it, and I did enjoy it and take it in. But I wasn’t going to celebrate for the rest of the season after that. I wanted to keep pushing and keep working.
“I have some important meetings coming up and some big GPs left. It has been pretty good to keep pushing and get back on the podium again.”
Bewley was not expecting to be in the Speedway GP line-up for 2022. He only received a call-up following the suspension of Russian riders Artem Laguta and Emil Sayfutdinov due to the war in Ukraine.
He admits winning in Wroclaw was a special feeling at an event he always dreamed of competing in.
He said: “I think it’s one every rider wants to win. Cardiff is a cool event for the fans, but when I have been watching the racing on TV, Wroclaw has always been the best. It’s really cool to win in Great Britain and at my Polish home track in Wroclaw.”
Third-placed Lambert fought his way past local hero Maciej Janowski on the run to the line in the final to snatch his first-ever Speedway GP podium.
The former European champion said: “It’s pretty good. It has been a long time coming. I’ve done well and been in the position to do it, but things didn’t click and work out. But now I am on the podium.”
John Money, of sponsor NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: ”It was tremendous to see Dan continue his fine form by winning his second consecutive SGP and with Robert also making the podium it was a truly memorable night.”
Bewley picked up twenty championship points to go into third position on 84, 24 points behind championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik with Lambert’s 16 points putting him in seventh place on 68 points.
Fellow NGK star three-time World Champion Tai Woffinden made the semi-final stage to score ten points while Freddie Lindgren scored eight, putting them in eighth and sixth place in the title race respectively.
The championship now heads to Vojens for the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark on September 10.
NGK introduces new NTK Lambda sensors catalogue
NGK has published a new NTK Lambda sensors catalogue.
NTK Lambda sensors are the No.1 choice of vehicle manufacturers (VMs) around the world, they are ‘Similar but different’
NGK says the experience it has in supplying the VMs worldwide allows it to offer exactly the right sensor for every vehicle application.
The Lambda Sensors Catalogue 2022/23 comprises 160 pages and features 449 total part numbers including 43 new additions, of which 35 are wideband sensors, to increase vehicle parc coverage by 2.1 million.
They give:
• Improved engine efficiency
• Reduced emissions
• Increased economy
Mark Hallam, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd Marketing Manager, said: “NTK Lambda sensors are the first-choice for the World’s leading vehicle manufacturers and this new catalogue will enable installers to select the correct sensor for each vehicle application.”
NGK says distributors should help educate garages by ensuring they fit a new NTK Lambda sensor whenever they replace a vehicle’s catalytic convertor.
A worn or failed sensor can result in drastically reduced control of the fuelling system which could result in increased fuel consumption, uneven running, generally poor performance or failure of an MoT emission test, so replacement is good news for the customer, garage and distributor.
NGK has reassured garages that its Lambda sensors supplied in traditional yellow boxes and new green and white boxes are both genuine products. Different packaging, same quality product inside the box.Keep an eye out for more updates soon...
NGK to focus on EGR valves range at MechanEx
Ignition and sensor specialist NGK will be focusing on its recently introduced EGR valves range when it exhibits at the MechanEx show at Sandown Park in November.
Phase one of the launch took place in March of this year with the introduction of 45 references with the valves being the equivalent to their original equipment (OE) counterparts.
NTK’s EGR valves can help reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides – also called NOx or pollutants – that are produced during an engine’s combustion process as well as helping to increase engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption – vital in today’s tough economic environment.
Today, 100 percent of diesel cars are equipped with EGR valves and 30% to 50% of petrol cars. Many new models will even be equipped with two EGR types (low pressure and high pressure), which means that the replacement parts market for these types of valves is likely to grow, corresponding to the level of demand.
NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd Marketing Manager Mark Hallam said: “Reducing pollutants is good for the planet, good for your health by helping combat respiratory problems, good for your car’s performance and good for your pocket.
“Our EGR range has proven to be very popular since launch and is another successful addition to our NTK portfolio and follows other popular introductions in the UK, including camshaft & crankshaft sensors and Mass Air Flow (MAF) and Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensors. It further strengthens our NTK aftermarket offering to provide customers with a one-stop shop.
“While the main focus will be on the valves at MechanEx, our staff will also be available to speak to garage visitors about our other components including OE spark plugs, glow plugs, and NTK Lambda sensors and also the services we provide.
“We look forward to seeing our current customers – and potential new customers – on our stand at Sandown Park on November 9 & 10 at what is traditionally a very busy show for us.”
For more information about NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services please visit www.ngkntk.com/uk