Autosport International Celebrates 100 Years of Grand Prix Racing

23 September 2005

Visitors to Autosport International 2006, 14 and 15 January at the NEC in Birmingham, will be taken on a trip down memory lane to glorious racing days gone by with a stunning 100 years of Grand Prix Racing feature. The show centrepiece, presented by the Donington Grand Prix Collection, will be one of the most unique static displays of historic racing cars seen at a UK exhibition.

The 100 years of Grand Prix Racing extravaganza will be showcased in the Historic Hall with over 1,000sq.m of space dedicated to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Grand Prix in France. The mouth-watering display of some of the greatest racing cars ever built will provide visitors with a selection of over 25 championship and race winning cars, stretching from the early 1900s right through to the last race of the 2005 season in China.

Imagine standing just inches away from Tazio Nuvolari's 1934 Maserati 8CM or the 1952 World Championship-winning Ferrari 500 F2 driven by Alberto Ascari. The 1961 Lotus Climax 18/21, driven by Stirling Moss whilst defeating the Ferrari works team in the Monaco Grand Prix for the Rob Walker Lotus team, will feature together with the 1966 Constructors' winning car, the Brabham Repco BT20. 1962 World Champion Graham Hill's BRM P56, which also won the Constructors' title, will be sure to delight visitors as will son Damon's Williams Renault FW18 in which he took the 1996 World Championship spoils.

Other highlights include Ronnie Peterson's six-wheeler Tyrrell Ford P34 and a McLaren Ford MP4/8A, which will bring back memories of Ayrton Senna's victory on that rainy day at Donington Park in 1993.

The Donington Grand Prix Collection is the largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars in the world. Filling five halls of the museum at Donington Park, with over 130 exhibits, the Collection illustrates the history of motorsport from the turn of the 20th Century with examples driven by such names as Nuvolari, Mansell, Prost, Moss, Senna, Fangio, Clark and Stewart.

Built purely on the hard work and dedication of owner Tom Wheatcroft, the Donington Collection first opened to the public in March 1973. Tom still continues his world-wide search for cars to display in the ever expanding collection.

Remarkably, Autosport International will be the very first time these magnificent machines have ever been showcased together outside the Donington Grand Prix Collection, located at Donington Park, a circuit which celebrates the 75th anniversary of its first race in 2006.

Tom's son Kevin Wheatcroft said: "We are delighted that the Donington Grand Prix Collection is to play a leading role in Autosport International 2006. 100 years of Grand Prix racing is a most important landmark anniversary in the history of world motorsport. What better way to reflect this than through the world's largest collection of Grand Prix cars featuring as the show's main theme. We look forward to a spectacular and exciting show."

Commenting on this unique feature, Gavin Brown, Managing Director of Haymarket Exhibitions, said: "This is one of the biggest and most significant displays ever to hit Autosport International and, presented by the Donington Grand Prix Collection, it promises to be the best feature yet.

We are privileged to be hosting this truly unique showcase at the biggest motorsport show, which will include some of the most beautiful Grand Prix racing cars over the last 100 years. You can be young or old to appreciate what will be on offer."

This special centenary display will also be supported by LAT Photographic, who will present a photographic gallery charting pictorial milestone developments of Grand Prix racing over the last 100 years.

You can avoid the queues and book online now at www.autosport-international.com for tickets to the show, which include entrance to the Live Action Arena at £25.00 for adults and £17.50 for
children, or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244.

Brand new for 2006 is an exclusive Paddock Pass ticket available at £31. This special pass gives holders access to the new paddock area built backstage in the Live Action Arena where you can get up close to the cars and talk to the drivers. You will also get fast-track entry and priority seating in the Live Action Arena plus the opportunity to watch extra performances from the sidelines. This fantastic offer also includes exclusive access to the Driver Signing Area with the opportunity to obtain autographs from your racing heroes.

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