Motorsport and performance engineering companies from over 20 different countries will converge on Birmingham this week, to start the new motorsport season at Autosport International.
The motorsport trade show will host about 600 companies displaying the latest technology at Birmingham’s NEC from today until January 12, with the opening two days solely for industry attendees.
Led by 21 exhibitors crossing the Atlantic from the USA and groups exceeding a dozen from both Germany and Italy, almost 100 international exhibitors are expected at the show from 22 different nations, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Taiwan beyond Europe.
More than 60 nations were represented in the audience of 28,000 motorsport professionals at Autosport International 2013, as a show record £1.07 billion worth of new business was generated within the sector.
The jet-setters will join the revered UK motorsport sector, which creates £6 billion in global sales annually, with Motorsport Valley home to over 3,500 companies and 40,000 jobs, including eight of the 11 teams in Formula One.
Among the new projects on show, local motorsport preparation company JRM will unveil a brand new rally car programme on Thursday 9 January, signalling the start of a manufacturer partnership, with a former World Rally Champion to spearhead the testing and development process.
The Daventry-firm will also take the covers off its 2014 specification Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 racer, the successor to the V6-powered sports car that won the Pro-AM category in the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series.
Another local manufacturer, Trident Sportscars is launching its new Iceni GT3 and GT4 race cars, delivering GT performance and a zero carbon footprint.
The Iceni is powered by a 6.6-litre, turbo diesel V8 engine producing up to 660bhp and 1,050lbs of torque to cover 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, and is set to compete in GT Cup and Britcar events in the UK, and international long-distance races on diesel or biodiesel fuel. Road versions run on 100% biodiesel fuel, achieving 68mpg at 70mph, and a range of 2,000 miles.
The show will also feature the launch of the new lightweight Zenos E10 sports car, the new venture for former Caterham Cars CEO Ansar Ali and COO Mark Edwards, and the road-going Sin R1 supercar.
“It’s always exciting to walk around Autosport International and see so much new technology on display, ranging from individual components to complete race car projects,” said Ian France, Autosport International show director.
“A lot of that comes from Motorsport Valley and the buoyant British motorsport industry, but having such a large and diverse range of international exhibitors at the show is fantastic. Not only does it provide a great opportunity for our local sector to expand their networks and view the latest technology from around the world, but also highlights the standing in which the industry is held globally.”
