Autosport International Show at Birmingham NEC

It’s minus 3 degrees right now in England, and given the endless stream of negative economic news that is fed into our synapses with each passing moment from the various news channels, there is absolutely no reason to be outside of one’s home, in the cold, spending money.

 It’s perhaps surprising then, as we dive headlong into 2009 and already with a worldwide recession in full swing, that there are still those who feel it necessary to spend vast sums of money to compete in motorsport events around the world.  This goes for the privateers, who campaign mainly for the enjoyment and progression, and also global manufacturers, who still deem it crucial to showcase their product on this glittering worldwide stage.  So it would appear that we have something to be thankful for.

 Annual British Motorsports Exhibit

The annual Autosport International at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham dances brightly into it’s 19th year with the usual entourage of short-skirted glamour models and five halls full of some simply ridiculous metal.  If you have but a passing interest in anything to do with cars or the sport of racing in general then there is little cause for disappointment here.

Personalities included Le Mans winner Allan McNish, Formula One underachiever David Coulthard and the world’s  favourite motorsport commentator, Murray Walker, who proved once more that the old classics are still very much the loved ones.  Former F1 driver and TV pundit Martin Brundle also made an appearance, but unfortunately he located a microphone before anyone could stop him.  The F1 display was very good, and fans of the WRC Rally circus were not let down either.  In total there were 850 exhibitors spread over the five hangars, so there was plenty of walking available. 

Hot Metal On Show

Mercedes offered up fast drift laps in their hottest C-class saloons and estates, accompanied by a hall-shaking V8 roar and tyre squeal, and at the other end of the Petrolhead Freak-o-meter, go-karts were available too for those who fancy themselves as the next Lewis Hamilton.

As always with this type of thing, it’s the cars that are the stars of the show, so public interviews with drivers were met with polite quasi-applause from the crowd.  They are definitely here to photograph exotic cars and nearly-as-exotic stand girls.  Highlights (car-wise, I mean) included a stretch Ferrari 360 limousine with 4-metre-long gull wing doors (bad), and a 911 Street-R from German tuning company Techart, finished in matte black, like a F117a Stealth Bomber (good).  The nought-to-sixty is probably similar to the jet fighter too, at 3.4 seconds.

The live Arena

The show also features a Live Arena, and if you like watching racing cars being driven around a tiny oval circuit you will find this fascinating.   For me though, the appeal of 2009’s Autosport was the sheer tenacity that all the exhibitors display in the face of unrepenting economic meltdown.  Yes, the world markets have been rather rubbish of late, but the general attitude this year was one of, “that’s okay, would you like 21 or 22 inch wheels on your Bentley Flying Spur?” 

In particular, the number of plucky little cottage-industry firms who have developed low-volume sports cars for worldwide export was surprising.  We had Ginetta, Lotus, Radical, Morgan and Farbio all showcasing their new hopefuls.  Yes, the UK car industry is still hanging in there, albeit on life support at the moment.  It was difficult to place, but there was a lingering feel in the air, as if a large group of optimistic, metallic lambs were sitting patiently awaiting slaughter. Perhaps the crashing value of our once-strong pound coin will save them, and offer genuine value to curious overseas buyers and speculators.

Autosport International Conclusion

77,000 members of the public attended the show dates last year, and given that the provision of tables at the NEC is always grossly underestimated, you will have to eat your chips whilst sitting on the floor (again).  I opted to take a snack bar with me instead;  I don't sit on the floor and eat at home so I see no reason why I should do it whilst I’m out. 

Speaking of Great British conduct, I was only mildly surprised when a very loutish Glaswegian with a plastic cup of beer in each hand started throwing verbal abuse at a stand representative for Silicon Hoses.   He then proudly declared that he was more important than the rest of the onlookers because he had “climbed Everest”, at which point he was led away by Security.  It’s perhaps an indication of how passion, fuelled by a love of fast metal (and Lager) can get the better of some folk.  Still, I’m hoping to attend at least one event in 2009 that doesn’t feature a drunk Scotsman making a scene.  At least if the Goodwood Revival organisers can guarantee us this one thing, then the tickets will be as good value as Autosport’s.