Autosport International 2007 Delights Stars and Fans
19 January 2007
Autosport International 2007 at the NEC has been voted the best to
date with more car launches, drivers and team principals than ever,
plus international journalists from 27 countries attending the four
day motorsport extravaganza in Birmingham. The show began with an auspicious
opening with BRDC President, Damon Hill, and Richard Caborn, Minister
for Sport.
The first two days, dedicated to the motorsport trade, provided an
opportunity for Christian Horner, Team Principal for Red Bull Racing,
to announce the new driver line-up of Bruno Senna and Adrian Zaugg
for the GP2 Arden Team. Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
for the Renault F1 Team, made an appearance in the Live Action Arena
and confirmed that this season’s F1 racing promises to be the
most difficult to predict.
When the doors of the NEC opened to the public it was the Super Aguri
F1 Team drivers, Takuma Sato and Britain’s Anthony Davidson,
who officially opened the show. Sato said: “I’ve really
enjoyed my visit, it was an extremely exciting environment and although
I’ve always heard of the show, this was my first time here. I’m
really impressed by what I have seen and it was wonderful to meet my
fans and enjoy such a great atmosphere.”
Sato’s team-mate Anthony Davidson agreed: “I’ve thoroughly
enjoyed my first official appearance as an F1 driver and the opportunity
to catch up with my British fans again. I’ve had a great time
chatting about the forthcoming season with the Super Aguri F1 team
at the world’s biggest motor show. Now I am looking forward to
racing in front of the many people I have met here at Autosport International
at Silverstone in July.”
One of the many highlights of this year’s event was the celebration
of 75 years of Le Mans, a dinner which was attended by a plethora of
legendary drivers of today and yesterday. Delighted guests were mesmerised
listening to Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen, David Piper, Paddy Hopkirk,
Win Percy, Mark Blundell, Guy Smith, Johnny Mowlem and many more reminisced
about their treasured memories.
Andy Priaulx will start this year's World Touring Car Championship
as the man to beat as he attempts his third consecutive victory. He
delighted his British fans by attending the show and said: “Autosport
International is astonishing; such a tremendous effort goes into delivering
what I consider to be the best motorsport show I’ve ever been
to. The stands and attention to detail from the exhibitors are superb
and it’s been a great opportunity to meet my fans as the UK’s
only current World motor racing champion.”
Oliver Turvey, McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year said: “This
is my first public appearance after winning this prestigious reward.
It’s my privilege to have a long involvement with Autosport International
- I first came here to drive karts in 2003, but this year I returned
to perform in the Live Action Arena for all four days. I would like
to thank Autosport magazine and the show organisers for their hospitality
and for such a valuable opportunity to meet new supporters.”
The show was not just an event to rub shoulders with the stars of motorsport,
including Eddie Jordan supporting the CLIC Sargent Charity Auction,
Jason Plato and Matt Neal from BTCC. It also provided a family day
out for a number of top names in the industry. Adrian Newey visited
the show with his family and actor Rupert Grint, better known as Harry
Potter’s Ron Weasley, returned to enjoy a bit of karting whilst
celebrity chef Gary Rhodes and eight-times World Offshore Powerboat
Champion, Steve Curtis, were seen walking around the nine halls filled
with the full spectrum of motorsport.
Nolan O’Connor, Group Marketing Manager of organisers Haymarket
Exhibitions, said: “Autosport International is now a very diversified
show, catering for the interests of people in all aspects of motorsport.
The show is regarded as key for trade visitors, and important for drivers
and team principals to attend, but it is also a very interactive show
for a truly memorable day out. It seems as though Autosport International
has something to offer everyone in motorsport.”
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