will be a petrolhead’s dream
The British International Motor Show, sponsored by Zurich Connect, will host ‘Motorsport Sunday’ on 3 August, marking the final day of the event and promising a host of motor racing treats. As well as virtual racing simulators and a number of celebrated pedigree sportscars, there will be live coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, televised on a 20-square metre screen, courtesy of Philips, and appearances from some of motorsport’s most memorable characters.
As a special treat for F1 fans, the live broadcast of the racing from Budapest will be introduced by the instantly recognisable voice of F1 commentating legend Murray Walker OBE. Motorsport aficionados will be just as thrilled to see Sir Stirling Moss OBE mixing with the crowds. Both of these iconic personalities will be signing copies of their new books for visitors during the morning.
Lovers of motorsport can check out the Go Motorsport stand in the South Hall to find out how easy it is to get involved in the action at all levels, whether as a competitor, spectator, official or trackside marshal. The stand features a 2008 AT&T Williams F1 car, an M Sport Fiesta Sporting Trophy car promoting Wales Rally GB, a Ferrari from the British GT Championship, a racing Caterham, an Autotest car and a racing Kart.
Other motorsport attractions at the Show include a number of F1 cars, from companies such as Toyota (Stand N15), Honda (Stand N31) and Renault (Stand S15). Ford meanwhile is hosting its ‘World Rally Championship Area’, which has a World Rally Championship (WRC) Focus car, a WRC Simulator, a 1970s Ford Escort Rally and the BP Ford World Rally Team trophies.
The world of touring cars is well represented, with exhibits ranging from the SEAT Leon TDI Touring Car and Honda Civic Touring Car – the latter taking part in Honda’s Dreamscape show – to the Vectra VXRacing and Chevrolet Lacetti Touring Car simulators.
Other thoroughbred competition cars on display include the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMS car that finished second in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours race, Suzuki Swift Sport Cup rally cars, a Peugeot 207 Spider Cup racer, the dramatic Mazda Furai Concept which is based on the chassis of an endurance racer, an Aston Martin Vantage N24 sportscar developed for the Nürburgring 24-hour race and, in the Heritage Enclosure, a Ford GT40 Continuation that competes in the British GT Championship. Santa Pod drag racers are on display in the South Hall and in the Outdoor East area.
Continuing the racing theme is the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Coffee Bar, which features video footage of races. The ‘Shop @ The Motor Show’ has displays and items for sale from Alex Reade (motorsport gifts and memorabilia), F1 Model Helmets (retailer of scale model F1 helmets), JK Marketing (motorsport memorabilia and clothing), Race To The Finish (F1 memorabilia), Duke Marketing (motorsport and specialist interest DVDs) and F1 Shop (F1 memorabilia and products).
Finally, those visiting the Heritage Enclosure for the F1 coverage will be able to enter a fabulous motorsport-themed competition, offering the chance of a passenger ride in a GT40 Continuation race car – a precision-crafted, authentic re-creation of the Ferrari-beating, Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s of the 1960s. This fantastic prize includes two VIP passes for the Silverstone round of the British GT Championship on 17 August where the GT40 Continuation will be competing, and includes a grid walk, hospitality and a passenger ride around the circuit in the car. The GT40 Continuation race car will be on display in the Heritage Enclosure throughout the Show.
