In the current economic climate many would think it a safe assumption that spending on training and motivation will have been curbed significantly. And they would be right, according to the management at Dreamcarevents.com in Abingdon.

There are fewer trips abroad for corporate breaks and rewards for staff, with pressure growing on the culture of providing bonuses.

But that does not mean successful employees are not being rewarded for their efforts.

Simon Thrussell, managing director of Dreamcarevents.com, said: “Organisations are looking for incentives and motivational tools around the UK.

“People recognise the need to motivate teams or individuals but the trips abroad have been shelved.”

All of which is good news for the Abingdon-based firm which was set up in 2004 as Dreamcarhire.com allowing individuals to hire supercars they would otherwise be unable to afford on a daily basis.

It involved a very personal service with the car being delivered to the door and by 2009 the company had the largest privately owned collection of supercars in the UK with 20,000 satisfied customers.

Having started with just four cars and two staff at an office in Stanford-in-the-Vale, by last year that had grown to 40 cars and 16 employees.

Over that time it was realised that the corporate market was key and more and more blue chip clients came on board. They include Avis Prestige, the top end offering of the car rental giant, British Airways, Nokia, Tesco, Sony, Microsoft and Gillette.

Mr Thrussell added: “We realised the corporate side of the business was growing more rapidly than any other area, so we took the decision to focus on servicing our corporate clients and their requirements.”

As a result, Dreamcarhire.com became Dreamcarevents.com, offering more than just driving experiences but bespoke packages in partnership with top hotels, restaurants and resorts across the UK.

But what do those participating in these events actually gain from the experience?

Corporate director Tony Rodia explained: “What we try to do is create a memory for clients, their staff and suppliers.

“The result is a happy, motivated, inspired individual.”

To provide these packages, Dreamcarevents.com has teamed up with event management companies as well as hotels to offer its service at ten different locations nationwide.

One of the most popular is the Cotswolds supercar day which offers clients the chanced to drive six cars through beautiful countryside for up to 200 miles with breakfast provided along with lunch at the Plough at Clanfield for a total of £600.

The experience can also be stretched over a weekend with a hotel acting as a base with cars lined up for clients to drive all day as they wish. ib