Autosport Show 2008

[Jerry]

SHOW NEWS

2nd European Cleaner Racing Conference: Following the success of the Energy Efficient Motorsport Conference at Sebring/Detroit earlier this year, the 2nd European Cleaner Racing Conference will reprise industry developments since the first conference in 2003. Speakers include Audi’s Ulrich Baretzy, GM Racing’s former Executive Director Herb Fishel, Series Director of BTCC and Chairman of MSA Alan Gow and Le Mans driver David Brabham. The conference will take place on the Wednesday 9 January 2008 on the preceding day to Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information please contact clare.stone@the-mia.com or call +44 (0) 2476 692600.

World’s first Carbon Neutral Racing Fuel: Martini Racing Products, which specialises in carbon neutral automotive fuels, will bring what it believes to be the world’s first carbon neutral racing fuels to Autosport Engineering next January. Exhibiting for the dedicated trade days only, staff will be on hand to introduce the fuel and answer questions on the product. See them on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 January on Stand E1551.

Malcolm Wilson to deliver Sid Watkins Lecture: Malcolm Wilson, founder of M-Sport and therefore the architect of BP-Ford's victory in last year's FIA World Rally Championship, will deliver the 2008 Motorsport Safety Fund "Watkins Lecture" on Friday 11 January at the Autosport International Show. This popular annual event is named after Professor Sid Watkins - F1's safety pioneer - who made the very first presentation. The lecture is primarily for the benefit of those directly involved in the field of marshalling and entry is strictly by ticket only. Ticket application forms are available in the latest edition of the Motorsport Safety Fund's bi-annual newsletter, "The Marshal".

New Brake Callipers on show: AP Racing’s visibly unique racing brake calliper, which produced a 30% drop in temperatures during NASCAR trials and was insisted upon by double champion Tony Stewart, will be on display on their stand. The Coventry-based firm will be exhibiting its Radi-Cal brake calliper, a striking example of ‘out of the box’ thinking that offers improvements in efficiency, cooling and driver control. To find out more visit them on Stand 7261 in Hall 7.

Show welcomes first Israeli Exhibitor: Israel is generally not known for its motorsport infrastructure but Autosport International welcomes its first Israeli exhibitor in Hadaikan. Specialising in steering and suspension, Hadaikan Metal Works supplies spare parts in passenger, commercial, military and motorsport vehicles. Its products include Tie Rod Ends, Ball Joints, Brake Drums, Hubs, Axles, King Pins, Exhaust Manifolds and much more. Visit them in Autosport Engineering on Stand E523 in Hall 19.

Medicals available for MSA Licence Holders: MSA licence holders can take the exclusive opportunity to get their licence medical whilst visiting Autosport International. This fantastic service will be available throughout all four days of the show, located in the office suite adjacent to the entrance to Hall 17, and is open to all licence holders, including drivers over 45-years who must undergo stress electrocardiograms. Any interested drivers need to contact Dr Mark Green or leave a message on the 24-hour answer machine on 01293 822 036 or via e-mail at drmagreen@aol.com to make an appointment. Book early as January 2007 was a sell out.

For more of the latest news check out the website at www.autosport-international.com

THE AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL TEAM

[Jerry]

What going to be the MG interest this year?

Any sign of the Dreadnought BTCC car? Gone a wee bit quiet.....

[mgmti]

Autosport show's tribute to BTCC
Fans of the British Touring Car Championship attending next week’s Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC (10-13 January) will have a display of some of the series’ great cars from the past half century to drool over.

The show’s organisers have sourced cars from the past five decades to put on static display as part of the show’s tribute to the BTCC which in 2008 celebrates its 50th anniversary.

From the Sixties so far there’s a 1964 Ford Lotus Cortina raced by '61 champion John Whitmore. It was in a similar car that the late, great Jim Clark won the 1964 title.

One of Richard Longman’s 1978-79 title-winning Mini 1275GTs, plus a Dolomite Sprint – raced by the likes of BTCC great Andy Rouse, Gerry Marshall and Tony Dron – are also among the collection.

From the Eighties, there will be the Audi 80 in which former F1 hero Stirling Moss contested the BTCC in 1980, one of the mighty Rover SD1s that was a prolific race-winner during the decade, plus a Ford Sierra RS500 – for many people one of the most iconic cars to have raced in the championship. The version on display is the Texaco-liveried, ex-Eggenberger team car raced by Steve Soper in several of 1988’s rounds.

From the Nineties, one of Vauxhall’s hugely successful Cavaliers – as raced by star names such as John Cleland, Jeff Allam and David Leslie – is also on the list. It was this period that saw the birth of ‘Super Touring’ era and the car to win the last title of this era in 2000, the ex-Alain Menu/Prodrive Ford Mondeo (similar to that pictured above) is another inclusion.

Representing more recent times, two Honda Integras will be on display – one of Matt Neal’s title-winning cars (2005-06) and the Eurotech-prepared car that Mike Jordan currently races in the championship.

[Jerry]

MG interest:

3 SV's on Show and at least 2 ZR's.

Pick up the Quaife diff brochure and Rally Matt is shown in the Pirelli sponsored cars.

For friends of Leda - they had a stand at the show too.

http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/data/536/medium/AS2008_008res.jpg

[Lord Sward]

You'd think they'd have made an effort and washed it before displaying it.