Car enthusiasts are in for a treat when Autosport International races into the National Exhibition Centre.

The NEC will become the capital of the motor racing world for two days when the show comes to town on January 14.

Formula One drivers David Coulthard, Christan Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Robert Doornbos will be at the event and visitors can challenge them on the Karting Oxford indoor track.

More than 600 performance and racing cars will be on dis-play, making it the biggest ever collection seen in the UK. Over 1,000 sq metres of space is dedicated to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Grand Prix in France. This aims to be one of the most unique static displays of historic racing cars seen at a UK exhibition.

Tickets are #25 for adults, #17.50 for children and include entrance to the Live Action Arena. The show is open from 9-6pm on both days.

For tickets call 0870 3802244 or visit www.autosportinternational.com. n The British International Motor Show is returning to London this summer after a gap of 30 years.

And BMW, which has failed to exhibit at recent shows, will be putting its vehicles on display at the ExCel centre in London Docklands in July.

Held once every two years, the show has been staged at the NEC since 1978, with the last international show in London being held at Earl's Court in 1976.

BMW, which owns Rolls-Royce, was absent from the last two Birmingham shows, but will be exhibiting at ExCel in July.

BMW UK managing director Jim O'Donnell said: "We have been critical of rising costs at the NEC motor shows and felt that we could spend our marketing budget more wisely.

"However, I believe the new show, in the heart of our capital city, has addressed my concerns and I am delighted that we will be attending the 2006 show."

Organisers of the show will be displaying about 300 models and expect 500,000 people to attend.

The show is organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The first motor show took place at Crystal Palace in London in 1903.

It was held at Earl's Court from 1937 to 1976.

The 2006 show opens with press day on July 18, with a trade day on July 19 and a public preview day (with tickets at #30) on July 20.

The show will then be open to the general public (tickets at #8 for weekdays and #12 for weekends) from July 21-30.