Autosport International 2014: Industry set for the year ahead

The chequered flag has fallen on the two trade focused days of Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show, Autosport International 2014.

Part of the four-day Autosport International on 9-12 January, the British motorsport industry was joined in Birmingham by professionals and performance engineering companies from around the world, networking and viewing the latest technology on the eve of the new season.

During the show, new data was released by the Motorsport Industry Association, documenting that the UK sector generated £9 billion in sales in 2012, up from £4.6 billion in 2000.

Almost 200 companies exhibited within the two-day Autosport Engineering in association with Racecar Engineering, while a number of industry leaders such as AP Racing, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Tuning GmbH and Quaife Engineering remain for the weekend’s two public days.

Representing every level of motorsport, approximately 600 exhibitors are present at Birmingham’s NEC across the show’s duration.

Local manufacturers featured among the new projects on display, spanning every level of motorsport. Chevron Cars introduced its new specification V8 GT3 and GT4 race cars, Trident Sportscars its new turbo diesel GT3/GT4, and Sin Cars GmbH the road-going version of its Sin R1.

Other launches included the Zenos Cars E10 lightweight sports car, JRM’s Group N Subaru WRX STI rally car and the Radical RXC Turbo powered by Ford’s EcoBoost engine.

“There’s been a fantastic atmosphere and a lot of activity within halls over the last two days, and the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors has been really positive,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing so much new technology on display with Autosport Engineering, as we look forward to the rest of the show, we wish them every success for the remainder of 2014.”

Among the exhibitors recognised for their presence at the show, simulation software developers ANSYS received the award for best overall stand within Autosport Engineering, WDS Component Parts Ltd was named as having the best small stand and Yamazaki Mazak as the best manufacturing technology stand. “This is the first time ANSYS has attended the show, and with some exciting things to show on the stand, it’s been a good event,” said Bimal Dharsi, UK Marketing Manager, ANSYS.

“We’ve got a big presence in motorsport, with the top six F1 teams using our software, but it’s been good to raise awareness about who we are and what we do.

“Having done shows for 17 years, it’s the first show we’ve done where we’ve had 99 per cent new prospects coming to the stand, which is brilliant. It’s great to see and talk to a lot of students here as well, they’re obviously going to be the engineers of tomorrow.”

Caterham Cars was recognised as having the best overall stand within the four-day Autosport International, Omex Technology the best Trade and Technical stand, Sweden’s Öhlins Racing AB the best overseas exhibitor, 750 Motor Club the best National Motorsport stand, while M-Sport and Classic Race Simulators also received awards.

The show continues tomorrow, with the first of two public days. Attending guests include the only man to have won world championships on two and four wheels, John Surtees, ex-racer and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle, British F1 rookie Max Chilton and Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish.

Autosport International