£20 Million and Counting at Autosport International

21 November 2006

More than £20 million worth of Le Mans legendary cars will be on display at Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham on January 13 & 14, with more classics still to be confirmed. This breathtaking feature will be evocative of Le Mans with the iconic machines being reunited with their celebrated drivers in what will be the most significant Le Mans display ever assembled.

The latest addition is the Ferrari 512 BB LM, of which only 25 were produced from 1979 to 1982. The Ferrari driven by Nick Faure, Steve O’Rourke and Bernard de Dryver in 1979 will be on display. The Pininfarina design body featured a longitudinally, mid-mounted 12-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels, built specifically for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At its inaugural Le Mans appearance, the 512 BB LM finished in a disappointing 12th but modifications and improvements were made and in 1981 a 512 BB LM scored a class triumph at Le Mans.

The Matra MS670, driven to victory in 1972 by Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo, will also be exhibited. Hill had not been to Le Mans since 1966 and he was one of eight current or future Grand Prix drivers who made up the four-car Matra team. This was a justly popular win – the first for a French car since the Rosiers' Talbot triumphed in 1950.

In 1990 Mark Blundell became the youngest driver ever to reach pole position in Le Mans, with a six second margin driving the Nissan R90 CK works car. Blundell will be reunited with his car when he attends the show on Saturday. The list of legendary drivers is growing with Derek Bell being reunited with his 1988 Porsche; Allan McNish with his 2005 Audi R8, Andy Wallace and Johnny Dumfries with their 1988 Silk Cut Jaguar; Guy Smith with his 2003 winning Bentley and Paddy Hopkirk with his MGB, which finished second in class in 1965.

Joining these drivers will be Jackie Oliver, winner in 1969, David Piper, David Brabham, Ray Mallock, Mike Wild, Win Percy, and Tony Southgate.

In addition to the dazzling array of stunning Le Mans machines at the show, there will be more cars on display at the charity Gala Dinner and a chance to meet all the drivers, enjoy a wonderful four-course dinner with compere John Hindhaugh, the voice of Radio Le Mans, bringing the whole evening alive. On offer is an amazing package which includes a room at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with full breakfast, the four-course dinner and an entry ticket to Autosport International on either Saturday or Sunday, including a seat in the Live Action Arena, for just £149.00 per person.

A contribution from each ticket will be given to BEN, The Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries, including motorsport.

To avoid disappointment and to secure a seat at the dinner and experience Le Mans fever at Autosport International 2007, e-mail uk.specialevents@hilton.com or telephone 08705 201201. Alternatively, for tickets to the show including entry to the Live Action Arena, book online at www.autosport-international.com or by phoning the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244. Tickets are £26.00 per adult including entry to the 45-minute adrenaline-pumping Live Action Arena, children’s (5 – 15 years) tickets are £18.50.

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