Sell out shows, crowd pleasing car crashes, world first stunts, the sale of some of the of the most expensive metal in Britain, and Jeremy Clarkson admitting he actually rather likes Birmingham - just some of the reasons why MPH '05 at the NEC has been hailed as a huge success.

It has been estimated that more than 28,000 visitors were welcomed to the three-day motoring spectacle and amongst the enthusiastic public were some serious car buyers. 

Tom Hartley, the specialist luxury and performance car dealer, celebrated the sale of three of his six show cars, a Bentley, Mercedes and Aston Martin, worth in excess of £450,000 but then toped the lot with the sale of a Ferrari Enzo, one of only two black models, valued at £625,000 to a mystery merchant banker.

All in all, the mark of MPH '05's Midlands success can be seen in the fact that the show organisers have already announced that MPH will be back at the NEC again next year promising even more fireworks, running from the 2 to 5 November inclusive.

For those high octane motoring lovers who can't wait until then, there's another chance to catch MPH '05 with Jeremy, Richard Hammond and Tiff Needell in London this week, with shows taking place at Earls Court from Thursday 17 November to Sunday, 20 November - see mphshow.co.uk for full details.