BTCC Champions Heading To Autosport International

Birmingham hero Matt Neal and his team-mate, 2012 British Touring Car Champion Gordon Shedden, are the latest additions to the growing guest list for Europe’s biggest motorsport show, next month’s Autosport International.

The 9-12 January event will bring the best of motorsport together at Birmingham’s NEC on the eve of the new season, with almost 80,000 people attending Autosport International 2013 earlier this year.

The Honda team-mates will join the likes of new BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan, John Surtees, Martin Brundle and Adrian Sutil from the world of Formula One, and Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish at the show on its public days, 11-12 January.

Including championships in 2005, 2006 and 2011, Neal is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the UK’s premier racing series, having won races in every full season he’s contested since 1999.

With Neal finishing fourth, he and Shedden helped Honda Yuasa Racing secure the BTCC’s Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles for a fourth-straight season in 2013. The pair will switch to a new Civic Tourer estate in 2014, which will be shown at Autosport International on the Rimstock stand in Hall 20.

“It was a really competitive season, winning the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ championships was a great result. The BTCC is continuing to grow, on and off-track, and Autosport International is always a fantastic way to meet the fans, especially my local supporters in Birmingham, and look ahead to the new season,” Neal said.

In 2012, Shedden joined the elite company of Jim Clark and John Cleland as the only Scottish drivers to have won the BTCC. He went close to making it a double in 2013, taking five victories and ultimately finishing second, just seven points behind Jordan.

“We had an up and down season, and even though we couldn’t quite win the championship again, we gave it everything we could. With the introduction of the Civic Tourer, it’s an exciting period, we can’t wait to start testing in the new year,” Shedden said.

In addition to champions Jordan, Neal and Shedden, the BTCC will be in the spotlight at Autosport International through a dedicated feature, headlined by Jordan and Shedden’s cars.

“It was another thrilling Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, and Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden were major players in the title fight yet again. There’ll be lots to talk about at the show, looking back at the 2013 season and ahead to their 2014 campaign with the new Civic Tourer,” said Ian France, Autosport International Director.

Stars of the sport and the BTCC display will be joined by cars from every level of motorsport, adrenaline-filled displays in the Live Action Arena and a variety of interactive elements. For car fans, the Performance Car Show in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com will host the best road-going supercars and latest high performance models.

Adult tickets available from £31 and children’s tickets priced at £20. For more information about the show, visit www.autosportinternational.com.