Superb Lancia Sports Prototype display.
Autosport International………otherwise known as the Racing Car show.
Story and photos by Roy Smith
And what a show it was! On January 10-13, the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in the UK hosted the annual show for the business of Motor Sport.
On Thursday and Friday the show was restricted to visitors from the trade and the business end of the sport, along with those studying Engineering at the schools and Universities, who attended the show to see the many thousands of components and equipment that go into making things work on the road and track. Deals were being made, new machines ordered, while engineering components were displayed as works of art.
The block and head of the Bugatti Veron W16. Note the cylinder arrangement.
Of course it is the cars, the teams and the drivers that make this spectacular show work, and this years’ offering did not disappoint. The spectacular Porsche 918 drew a lot of attention, as did the Noble M600 225mph projectile that’s sure to get your license endorsed! On the Formula 1 side. a grand display of the 2012 cars (mock ups and real) kept the punters happily snapping away at their favorites, which they rarely get a chance to get near.
2012 Mercedes F1.
2012 Championship-winning Red Bull.
Force India driver Paul de Resta and thirteen times Grand Prix Winner David Coulthard were on hand to talk to all those who would listen. A huge crowd gathered around the live stage Saturday and Sunday. Sir Jackie Stewart was joined by Le Mans 24 hours experts Derek Bell, Emanuele Pirro and Alan McNish, with Johnny Herbert opening Saturday’s show day. From the historical point of view, a fine collection of Lancias lined up complementing a superb display of cars driven by Sir Jackie Stewart during his exemplary career.
Matra, the 1969 championship winner.
The famous Elf Tyrrel Racing Car transporter.
Of course the Autosport International show, like nearly all the current exhibitions, featured a high quality range of cars in the Coys Historic Car Auction. The Rolls-Royce once owned by legendary rock band Queen front man, the late Freddie Mercury, was estimated to sell at £9 to £11,000. It sold for an incredible £74,000. The highest bidding went to the 1953 BMW Willis Special which sold at £154,000 to a buyer in Oregon USA. A 1972 Porsche 911S rebuilt to a ST specification sold for £125,000!
1953 £154,000 BMW Willis Special.
Also linked to the Autosport exhibition was this year’s performance car show: powered by Pistonheads.com, where road exotica was displayed. Lamborghinis, Mercedes, Porsches and many “specials” were there for the speed freaks to drool over.
Austin A35 with an Austin Devon Pedal car!
The Le Mans Nissan-DIG-T-Delta wing.
All in all, a good representation of the world that Autosport has to offer, and one that will be remembered by many. However, in my opinion, the show was not as spectacular as previous years and it seemed not quite so busy; maybe the hefty £34 entry ticket price had something to do with it. Will we be back next year? Of course we will. More photos below.
BMW Veritas was the VeloceToday choice for most appealing racecar.
The Veritas was perhaps over-restored but nevertheless beautiful.
1930- era Sprint car model powered with single cylinder engine.
Porsche 962 set up for the road attracted a lot of attention.
Subaru Rally celebrated the late Richard Burns. Plenty of light on the subject.
Great pix! W16 of course in the new Bug.
Great article, mouth watering and makes me want to jump in a plane and be there next year.
Interesting showing the W16, it makes more sense now. Also, I can vouch for the Noble part: “the Noble M600 225mph projectile that’s sure to get your license endorsed! ” I test drive an earlier M400 and the only reason why I’m still able to drive on my own is because I saw a cop on the other side of the road who couldn’t make a U turn. Insanely fun to drive, riveted to the road and just what a car should be. Of course, back then they were much more affordable.