Twisted Automotive has teamed up with record-breaking rower Jasmine Harrison as she joins the exclusive list of brand ambassadors.
Jasmine, 21, made history in February when she became the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic. She made the 70-day journey in her boat Argo, that is now on display in the Old Cinema, the new home of Twisted Automotive.
The collaboration is a natural fit – both Twisted and Jasmine are based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and have turned their backs on the everyday to pursue excellence in their chosen fields. She joins adventurer and endurance athlete Sean Conway as a Twisted ambassador.
In 2021, Twisted Automotive marks 21 years of re-engineering the Land Rover Defender. Founded by Charles Fawcett in 2000, the business recommissions and updates the iconic vehicle to make it the best it can be.
Jasmine will be supported by Twisted on her next challenge, which could involve rowing Yorkshire’s five biggest rivers – details are still to be finalised.
Her boat, Argo, will remain on display in the 8,500sq ft Old Cinema before it goes down to Twisted Marine HQ in Salcombe, Devon, for a summer event.
Jasmine said: “In terms of my own philosophy, it’s pretty well aligned with that of Twisted. I very much follow the Twisted motto of #TheBestMadeBetter and I don’t ‘do’ ordinary; I like to keep challenging myself, hence the row across the Atlantic.
“I have a few ideas in mind for future adventures – one involves tackling Yorkshire’s biggest rivers and, if the Covid situation allows, I’d like to look at another ocean challenge. It will be amazing to do that with Twisted providing support, whether it’s a vehicle to take me where I need to be, or if I need to take Argo off-road.
“It’s a brilliant feeling to have a company like Twisted behind me that’s not only from Thirsk, but that shares my love of adventure.”
Twisted founder Charles Fawcett says Jasmine is a perfect candidate to become a brand ambassador for the company: “I contacted Jasmine as soon as she had completed her Atlantic crossing,” he said. “It’s not simply a case of ‘we are based in Thirsk and so is she’ – we both have adventure at our heart and are not afraid to live a life less ordinary. I’m looking forward to the team supporting Jasmine in her next challenge.”
The Old Cinema is home to around 30-40 vehicles, including a number of the 61 remaining from the batch of 240 last of the line Defender that Twisted famously bought back in January 2016. In addition to models from Twisted’s Defined, Commissioned and Certified collections, there will be other curios displayed for visitors to admire alongside Argo.
The building itself dates back to July 1914, when it opened as the Gaiety Cinema in Long Street, close to the town centre. It was badly damaged by fire in 1930 (in allegedly suspicious circumstances) and was acquired by a tyre fitting company in the 1970s. In homage to its history, a cinema screen has been re-installed.