AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS AT RACE OF CHAMPIONS
Five of the 16 drivers competing in the Race of Champions (ROC) will be at the 2009 Autosport International show, held at the NEC in Birmingham, on 8-11 January.
Formula 1 star David Coulthard Coulthard stormed to a podium finish, earning the runner-up title, in the day’s main event, the Race of Champions where drivers compete on an individual basis. The recently retired Formula 1 driver will attend Autosport International on both public days (Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January) to celebrate his racing career at the show.
Eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen Kristensen, along with team-mate Mattias Ekström, also enjoyed podium celebrations with a runner-up finish in the ROC’s Nations’ Cup, which sees drivers compete in pairs as national teams. Kristensen’s next event in the UK will see the Dane take part in Autosport International’s BP Ultimate Celebrity Karting Challenge on Friday 9 January for David Brabham’s annual charity kart race.
Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy PriaulxPriaulx, who will also attend Autosport International in January, reached the semi-finals in both the Nations’ Cup and the Race of Champions. The British driver was defeated by World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb in the Race of Champions, preventing an all-British final between Autosport International drivers Priaulx and Coulthard.
British Touring Car ace Jason PlatoPlato reached the semi-finals in the Nations’ Cup alongside Coulthard for Team F1 Great Britain. Fans won’t have long to wait for a chance to quiz Plato on his first ROC experience however; the British driver will be appearing on the Autosport Stage at Autosport International in just over three weeks.
Adam Carroll takes on Michael Schumacher in the Nations’ Cup in a KTM X-Bow
Carroll also did well on his ROC debut considering he faced seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher on his Team Ireland outing for the Nations’ Cup. Carroll will take on more motorsport heavyweights at Autosport International; he will race against the likes of Kristensen and Allan McNish in the BP Ultimate Celebrity Karting Challenge.
The drivers weren’t the only stars however; an impressive array of machinery was displayed throughout the day with drivers competing in Autosport International exhibitor KTM’s X-Bow race car as well as the ROC buggies, set to appear in the show’s Live Action Arena.
“The Race of Champions is a great event, which showcases exciting racing from a superb array of drivers,” said Haymarket Exhibitions Show Director Ian France. “Between such a racing extravaganza and a motorsport show as large as ours, there are bound to be common ground and we look forward to hearing the drivers’ experiences from yesterday when they attend Autosport International next month.”
Notes to editorsThe 2008 Autosport International Show attracted over 84,000 visitors, including 28,000 trade buyers. Over 1,000 media representatives were present throughout the event, covering the show’s numerous live displays and 850 exhibitors.
Autosport International will be open to the public on Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 January 2009. Adult tickets start at £29 per day, with children’s tickets costing £19, and include a 34-page souvenir brochure. To book, visit autosport-international.com or call 0044 (0) 844 579 3188 .
Paddock passes are available for £35 per adult and £25 for children. In addition to standard admission, visitors will have access to the Driver Signing Area as well as fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena and a great viewing position at the centre of the grandstands.
A Platinum Club pass, at £100, includes all the benefits of the Paddock Pass plus exclusive access to the VIP enclosure at the very top of the Live Action Arena grandstand, complete with champagne and canapés. You will also receive complimentary parking, cloakroom at the NEC plus a goodie bag.
