With just over a week remaining before the World’s biggest and best motorsport extravaganza gets underway, Autosport International ’07 at the NEC Birmingham can confirm it will play host to a mouth-watering array of car launches over the four-day period. Subaru will launch the special edition Impreza WRX STI to be unveiled in memory of Britain’s last World Rally Champion Richard Burns, who lost his fight with cancer in November 2005.
The RB320 costs just £29,995 on the road and features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 PS Prodrive Performance Pack, bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, a sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.
Vauxhall will unveil its new Vectra with which it will contest the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, which switches to Super 2000 specification cars next season. The multiple championship-winning VX Racing team, which dominated the series from 2001-2004 will continue to race with drivers Tom Chilton and Fabrizio Giovanardi who are both expected to be in attendance at the show.
SEAT Sport UK will launch its all new Leon Cupra, which is set to make its debut in the 2007 SEAT Cupra Championship. The BTCC support series will boast two classes in ’07, with the new car challenging for the outright title and the top prize of £100,000 and the existing Leon Cupra R racing for a separate prize fund. An impressive ten former SEAT Cupra Championship drivers have gone on to race in the BTCC and WTCC, including the series’ first champion Rob Huff now a race winner for Chevrolet in the WTCC.
Ginetta will announce details of its new G20s which contest the Avo Ginetta G20 series, the largest single class one-make racing championship in Europe with nearly 60 registered competitors. The championship will also have a new title sponsor for 2007 and details of the series, prize fund and calendar will be available.
Also on the sports car front, Juno Racing, founded by ex-Williams F1 design engineer Ewan Baldry will, for the fourth successive year, unveil a new car at Autosport International. The Juno S2000 commissioned by Oldershaw Motorsport will contest the 2007 Sports 2000 series. The successful pairing has taken wins in the old Supersports Championship and Britsport with the Juno SS2. The Juno S2000 will be powered by a Ford Duratec engine.
Completing the line-up of manufacturer exhibitors at Autosport International ’07 are Mitsubishi, Toyota, Renault, FIAT, Citröen and Caterham who will all have examples of cars on their stands.
Avoid the queues and book online at www.autosport-international.com or by phoning the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244. Tickets are £26.00 per adult including entry to the Live Action Arena, children’s (5 – 15 years) tickets are £18.50.
The elite Paddock Pass is available at £32.00 for adults and £24.50 for children. The Paddock Pass gives exclusive access to the Driver Signing Area; access to the Live Action Arena Paddock back stage; priority seating and fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena, and a show guide lanyard including pictures of celebrities and a detailed floor plan of the show. There are a limited number of Paddock Passes available, so book early to avoid disappointment.
