https://roadstermagazine.wixsite.com/roadstermagazine
PAST 1000 Days of the
Kid Who Loves The Road
This July, ROADSTER! the motoring magazine for #kidswholovetheroad. hit the 1,000-day mark. We made a playful mock up of a “TIME” front cover to mark the occasion, but as we attend the British Motor Show and shift gear from parent/child hobby to non profit social enterprise, it feels like we’ve just passed a genuinely major milestone.
A Spark
It’s no coincidence that Roadster! emerged just after the global pandemic. As a parent, I saw its effect on my young son, Sam.
Disrupted routines, social withdrawal, and waning confidence were each taking their toll. So when, at the 2022 British Motor Show, Sam asked, “Is there a motoring magazine for kids?” I saw an opportunity. We didn’t know of one, and I wanted to be that “SPARKY” Dad from Danny the Champion of the World, sharing adventures with my 8-year old boy. “Let’s make one!” I said, half-jokingly.
From Scratch
What began with school-run brainstorms and kitchen table sketches, became Google Slides at bedtime and one rather bold email to The Little Car Company. They rolled out the journalists red carpet for Sam, and their parting words - “Now go and make a good magazine for us!” - stuck. We absolutely HAD to deliver!
That Christmas, ten copies of our completed magazine, ROADSTER!, were printed (for £32) and one landed in Sam’s stocking, courtesy of Father Christmas. A moment of possibility had become something real.
Sam in the Driver’s
Seat
We sensed we had something special, but at that stage we didn’t really understand what it was. With Sam’s blessing, I shared the first issue online and our adventure took off: truck rides, press cars, interviews, radio spots, exclusives, road trips, and a growing community of kindness and creativity - we’ve tried to take other kids along with us.
When I represented Roadster! at the prestigious Guild of Motoring Writers annual dinner, and saw our names in their annual “Who’s Who” directory, I reflected on social media:”Roadster! has been completely nuts!”
Connected Learning in Motion
Sam hasn’t always realised how profoundly he is learning through
By Carl Assistant Editor & Roadster! Dad
Roadster! He is proving how learning flourishes when kids explore personal passions with peers and adults.That’s “connected learning” — a powerful concept we’ve since come to champion. Now, as Sam starts secondary school, he shows depth, confidence, and leadership. Roadster! has shaped him in ways we never expected. I couldn’t be prouder.
Proven, Tested, Ready
Roadster! isn’t about kids struggling to write masses for a feature. It’s about simplifying and involving them in everything. We’ve made it up as we’ve gone along and had fun together along the way.
We’ve refined, tested, and evolved our model—driven by kindness and conviction. We’ve tried to return the kindness—opening doors for others, celebrating creativity, and showcasing what happens when kids are allowed to take the wheel.
Over ten issues, we’ve shown that a motoring magazine for kids is needed —and that our child-led, adult-supported model works.
As a principal driven civil-servant in my working life, I have noble intentions for Roadster! I’ve shaped it on values such as integrity, accessibility and duty. Roadster! is guided by public purpose, and driven by mission-led learning over profit.
Gearing Up for the Future
Since the beginning we’ve said if Roadster! ended tomorrow, we could be proud of all we’ve achieved. In fact, we are just getting started. We now understand what Roadster! is.
With fresh partnerships and growing support, we are ready to shift gears. At the 2025 British Motor Show, we’re evolving Roadster! from a parent-child project into a non-profit social enterprise.
We hope you’ll join us.
FORKIDS…
CONNECT! EDUCATE! INSPIRE! ENTERTAIN! INVOLVE!
The ROADSTER! Reader Philosophy
ROADSTER! is a motoring magazine for kids who LOVE the road. Aimed at a youth group aged between 8 & 12, each issue is a high-octane mix of motoring stories, road safety, STEM, English, Geography, History, and creative play — all designed to spark curiosity and build confidence.
CONNECT
We provide a bridge between the playground and real life, engaging our young readers with a world of possibilities on the road and beyond. We connect the motor industry with the drivers, consumers, innovators, designers, technicians and story tellers of the future.
EDUCATE
Through a motoring lens, we explore school subjects, safety skills, and the real world around us. We aim to turn everyday learning into thrilling journeys!
INSPIRE
We introduce young readers to different life opportunities in the automotive sector. We talk journalism, car design, EV tech, mechanics, assisting others, being in a team, motorsport… just about anything! We share the stories of kids getting out there and making a start, with an ambition to inspire others.
Our comic character “Eddy” has been created by Richie T since he was 12 yrs old.
ENTERTAIN
We keep our young readers amused with great car features, experiences, adventures, jokes, comics, puzzles, posters and more. We push to be creative, with a youth focus.
INVOLVE
We include lots of interactive features and calls and encourage proactive thinking and learning. We try to involve our readers in all we do, and extend an open invitation to kids to contribute.
BYKIDS!
“I’ve been working in comics for over 20 years, and I know how much work goes into creating every page… on the Beano we have writers, editors, illustrators and designers, so to create the whole thing himself is an amazing achievement”. John Anderson, Editor, The Beano
HOW ROADSTER! HELPS…
ROADSTER! provides a safe, ring-fenced, production centred environment which empowers children with a wide-ranging skill set—blending education, creativity, confidence, and connection through hands-on, real-world learning.
Cognitive & Academic Skills
- Research & Inquiry
- Creative Writing
- Editorial Judgment
- Visual Communication
Communication & Media Skills
- Interviewing
- Public Speaking
- Pitching & Persuasion
- Networking
- Videography & Magazine
Production
- IT, AI & Web Development
Emotional & Social Skills
- Empathy & Kindness
- Leadership
- Emotional Intelligence
- Collaboration
- Resilience
Practical & Entrepreneurial Skills
- Project Management
- Problem-Solving
- Budget Awareness
- Brand Building
- Selling, Persuasion & Influencing
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Time Management
Supercar
Editor
now takes freelance commissions thanks to the portfolio he built while working on Roadster!
At Roadster!, one principle drives us: kids lead the way. Our “for kids, by kids” model is a foundational editorial and operational philosophy that makes the magazine authentic, relatable, and engaging.
We champion connected learning - a vibrant approach that links personal passions, supportive relationships, and real-world opportunities. It’s learning that resonates because it’s production centred. Learning matters because Roadster! matters.
Of course, kids aren’t expected to do everything, but they do take the creative wheel: leading engagements, testing ideas, shaping stories, and setting the magazine’s direction. This hands-on involvement transforms Roadster! into a truly youth-powered platform.
Adults are just the scaffolding.
Our
Corner
James
FUTURE
The Automotive Industry’s Youth Disconnect
The UK automotive sector is at a crossroads:
● Severe talent shortages across UK automotive: >35,000 technicians short by 2030
● Aging workforce: 50%+ of HGV drivers are over 50
● Youth disinterest: only 16% of teens consider automotive careers
● Misconceptions: industry seen as dirty, male-dominated, and outdated
● EV & ADAS shift outpaces technician qualifications
● Apprenticeships and license acquisition rates are falling
The Solution - Generation Alpha
Kids born between 2010 and 2025 are tech-savvy, eco-minded, and open to new mobility. They remain unshaped by negative stereotypes, but they need early, positive exposure.
How ROADSTER! can help
We are growing our accessible platform to connect with children, inspire them and involve them NOW.
Early Intervention
We are targeting children before misconceptions form, Through thrilling automotive adventures, STEM-rich storytelling, and essential road safety lessons, Roadster! is blending entertainment with learning in a fun, interactive format tailored for 8–12 year olds. We ignite passion, spark creativity, and nurture curiosity while championing environmental awareness.
STEM + Storytelling = Engagement
By presenting the automotive world through hands-on, child-led adventures we are making the future relatable
Career Visibility
By introducing diverse roles within automotive early, we are countering stereotypes and highlighting future-focused opportunities.
Inclusive Representation
Connected Learning
Blending road safety, engineering, environmental awareness, and social history into a cohesive, curriculum-aligned experience.
Brand Affinity
By raising awareness of automotive brands now we are fostering an emotional connection to the industry, helping shape future drivers, innovators, consumers, and advocates.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Earlier this year we launched our not-for-profit mission to take our child-led model to a wider audience to connect, educate, inspire, entertain and involve even more young readers in all things 'the road'.
This commitment extends to utilising "connected learning experiences" to introduce children to the automotive world, impart road safety knowledge, cultivate their awareness, and stimulate their interest.
Our vision is ambitious: we plan to evolve into a social enterprise charity endeavour - a key communication platform to unite industry partners and engage a diverse demographic of children - tomorrow's drivers, innovators, employees, consumers, and community members.
We’re off to a great start! We are already making a great start, proudly collaborating with visionary partners who share our mission to ignite motoring passion, empower young minds, and build a more connected future:
Scalextric 4 Schools: We proudly sponsored a year 10 team from the Bishops’ Blue Coat High School, Chester, at the Scalextric 4 Schools Finals. Our micro-sponsorship provided branding, presentation support, and confidence-building for the team, helping them to become national champions - and showcasing the power of small support to spark big outcomes.
Jaybee Motors Sponsorship: Thanks to the generous support of Jaybee Motors, Roadster! is approaching the British Motor Show 2025 with an ambitious scale up strategy.
British Motor Show x Cazoo: Collaborating with the British Motor Show and headline sponsor Cazoo to produce a kid-friendly show guide, bringing Roadster!’s mission to life for thousands of families - a powerful tool for education, engagement, and brand visibility - distributed at one of the UK’s biggest motoring events.
Gamify Cards X ROADSTER! Turning Automotive Fantasies into Play - Our new partnership with Gamify Cards aims to turn child automotive fantasies into play - transforming motoring education into collectible, interactive fun.
But we need YOUR help too!
We offer compelling sponsorship and partnership opportunities— we need the industry’s help to inspire the next generation. Join us in driving youth engagement, STEM learning, and motoring heritage
Our next objective - Schools: We are launching a Roadster! Schools Strategy in September, aiming to bring our educational values to a wider pool of young learners.