Category Archives: Autosport International

Autosport International, Shows and Events

DTM’S Paffett To Attend Autosport International

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One test driver and Mercedes-Benz DTM pilot Gary Paffett is the latest guest to be confirmed for Europe’s largest motorsport show, Autosport International.

One of the UK’s top drivers and the first Brit to win the prestigious DTM title, Paffett joins a host of motorsport personalities on Saturday 11 January at Birmingham’s NEC for Autosport International, which takes place on 9-12 January 2014.

A seasoned racer, Paffett’s motorsport credentials include winning the acclaimed McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award in 1999, followed by success in British Formula 3 National Class and the German Formula 3 Championship.

Having graduated to German touring car series DTM, Bromley-born Paffett has become one of its most successful drivers, finishing second in his debut season before taking the title in 2005. Having just missed out on the title three times since, Paffett will return to DTM for the 2014 season in the EURONICS-sponsored Mercedes AMG C-Coupé after a sixth-place finish in this year’s standings.

Alongside his touring car achievements, Paffett is one of the longest serving test drivers in Formula One, having worked with McLaren on its F1 development programme since 2006.

“Autosport International has always marked the start of the motorsport season for me and I’m looking forward to meeting fellow racing enthusiasts and drivers, as well as taking a look around the halls to see what we can expect next year,” said Paffett. “With the UK no longer on the DTM calendar, it’s a great opportunity to catch-up with the fans.”

“As someone trusted to assist McLaren’s development programme, Gary’s talent both on the track and when preparing for it is evident,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director. “We look forward to welcoming him at the show, where he will answer fan questions on home soil.”

Paffett will attend Autosport International on Saturday 11 January, joining a host of personalities from the sport, including John Surtees, Martin Brundle and new Sauber signing Adrian Sutil from the world of F1, Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, as well as current British Touring Car Champion Andrew Jordan.

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

Autosport International, Shows and Events

F1 To Fire up Birmingham

The 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship may still be almost 100 days away, but Autosport International is set to bring the pinnacle of motorsport to fans at Birmingham’s NEC in January.

On 9-12 January, two months before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and almost six months before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Europe’s biggest motorsport show will host contemporary and classic F1 cars, supported by personalities from the sport.

Led by the championship-winning Red Bull Racing, every team will be represented on the F1 Racing grid, in a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the motorsport masterpieces. The popular feature will also include the iconic Ferrari and fellow 2013 race-winning teams Mercedes and Lotus.

In the 5,000-seat Live Action Arena, the UK’s largest indoor racetrack, popular Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, better known as ‘Crofty’, will host proceedings which will include the legendary Lotus 79 and Lotus 49B F1 cars.

Joining the action-packed shows Crofty will share with motorsport fans, and appearing in association with Classic Team Lotus, the Lotus 79 and 49B were raced by the likes of Formula One World Champions Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Graham Hill. The models won 18 F1 GPs between them, leading to three Constructors’ World Championships.

“I’ve really enjoyed attending Autosport International in recent years, and always taken the opportunity to check out what’s happening in the Live Action Arena,” said David Croft. “I’m excited about hosting the shows in January, especially with the presence of the Lotus 79 and 49B as revered cars from the history of Formula One.”

The Live Action Arena is a major Autosport International attraction, with fans witnessing live racing, exhilarating stunts and precision driving.

Crofty will be joined at the show by his Sky Sports broadcast partner, ex-F1 racer Martin Brundle, reviewing the 2013 season and looking ahead to 2014’s new technical regulations. With more stars to be announced, 1964 Formula One World Champion John Surtees headlines the guest list, while German ace Adrian Sutil will appear on Sunday 12 January following his 2013 campaign with Force India.

“There’s nothing quite like the detail of a Formula One car, and the F1 Racing display will give fans a rare opportunity to take a close look at cars from every team,” said Ian France, Autosport International Director.

“The Live Action Arena is always a popular part of the show, and the opportunity to see, hear and feel Classic Team Lotus’ iconic Formula One cars indoors is set to be unmissable, presented by David Croft, a critically acclaimed commentator.”

Alongside Formula One, Autosport International will showcase every level of motorsport, including rallying, touring car racing and historic competition, along with a variety of interactive elements, including the Caterham Driving Experience and arrive-and-drive karting sessions.

Under the same roof, the Performance Car Show in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com will feature the best road-going supercars, with Autocar to present a live demonstration of its Best Driver’s Cars in the Live Action Arena.

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

Autosport International, Shows and Events

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.