The organisers of the first-ever International HistoricMotorsport Show, held at Stoneleigh Park on 20-22 February,have declared the event "a resounding success".
The event achieved exactly what was intended: to bring togetherunder one roof all the major players in the business. Historicand classic event organisers, competition motor clubs, carpreparation companies, and historic motorsport engineering andtechnical equipment suppliers were, for the first time ever,able to meet and do business with each other and with historicmotorsport competitors, fans and media.
Space in the three main halls at Stoneleigh was completely soldout, with over 400 exhibitors, while 16,247 people attended thethree days.
The Show was also successful on a business-to-business level.Traders reported significant new contacts, both from within thetrade and from among visiting enthusiasts. Several well-knownengineering companies reported they exceeeded their expectationsby close of business on the first day!
Within four days of the 2004 Show, over 70 exhibitors hadalready booked space for next February’s 2005 InternationalHistoric Motorsport Show.
The nearby Live Rally Stage also proved popular, as 2,500spectators watched 48 drivers showing their skills over aspecially-created one-kilometre route. Stars of yesteryearincluded Pentti Airikkala, Russell Brookes, Tony Fall, RobinEyre-Maunsell (who shared his car with MSA Chairman JohnGrant), Bill Gwynne and David Stokes, while reigning FIAGroup N Champion Martin Rowe also took part.
Almost 300 people attended the Historic Motorsport AwardsCharity Dinner, held in the presence of HRH Prince MichaelOf Kent at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, where 12individuals and organisations were honoured for theirachievements
Other aspects of the Show included the H&H Classic Auctions(where cars, motorcycles and memorabilia worth over £1million were sold), and a successful series of seminars andbusiness briefings on various aspects of historic motorsportand its industry.
Private car sales, ranging from a Lotus 23B sports racer toa Mk1 Ford Escort rally car, totalled almost half a millionpounds.
Below are just a few of the comments received to date...
"The best show I have ever been to. " (Sir Stirling Moss)
"Congratulations for a well organised and run show. Thequality of the exhibits and stands were of the highest quality.This will become the premier event of the year and Vanwallcars have already booked in advance for next year."(Vanwall Cars)
"The quality and standards of the show were a credit to yourbelief and commitment. We received nothing but praise fromvisitors to our stand. I trust that we can all look forwardto participating again in 2005." (MG Car Club)
"An inspired event. Great to get all those talented craftsmentogether under one roof for a much needed showcase for thisgreat sport. Also, the Awards was a slick, entertainingevening." (Mick Walsh, Classic & Sports Car Magazine)
"The best show I have ever done in ten years. All the rightpeople, nice staff, good venue." (Ferret Fotographics)
"A great weekend, well organised. Super atmosphere. We'll beback." (Philip Young, Endurance Rally Association)
"I am sure (the show) is going to be a permanent fixture inthe international motorsport calendar. It was a great boostto business and to goodwill." (Aston Martin Owners Club)
"Congratulations on a brilliant show. I hope you do it againnext year; if you do, you will have our support."(Historic Sports Car Club)
"Congratulations on having the vision and energy to createsuch a great show. I am sure it will now grow from strengthto strength." (John Quenby, Classic British Quality Charter)
"It was an excellent venue in my opinion, and that of mycolleagues, stand holders and press, whom I met on the day.Only pity was I could not spare more than one day at theevent. Count me in for next year and lets hope it goes on togreater success." (Classic Images Photography)
"Congratulations on an excellent show. All those that I talkedto, both trade and visitors, had nothing but praise for theshow. We really has a great response on our stand and the showhas worked well to raise the profile of the Archive."(Motor Racing Archive)
"There was too much to see and I was still chatting when theshow came to an end. I thought it was a great show as dideveryone I spoke to. Just like the old Racing Car Show."(Michael Bowler, The Automobile)
"Great show, wonderful weekend. No prizes for guessing the Showof the Year award!" (John Elwin, Freelance Journalist)
"The show was a remarkable success and is bound to become thefront runner, of that I am sure. Pity I couldn't stay aroundlonger. Every success." (David White, All Torque Magazine)
"EXCELLENT show - I was pleasantly suprised, given it was anunknown factor." (South Wales Evening Post)
"Everyone that I spoke to really enjoyed the Show and thoughtit was a great success. I spent all Friday there and went againon Saturday morning and I was pleasantly surprised at how busyit was. Most people I spoke to said that it was hard to getanything done, as they kept bumping into people they knew!"(Linzi Smart, Historic Motor Racing News)
"Many thanks for a great show. Well done to the organizing team,whose hard work showed in the effortless way this new event ransmoothly." (Dave Richards, Classic & Sports Car Magazine)
"A brief note to tell you the show was a triumph. I've discussedit with a number of attendees - both trade and visitor – andhave heard nothing but praise for the whole event. You even gotthe weather right..." (Will Grime, Quadrifoglio)
The Show was supported by :
AON Insurance, Circuit Driver Magazine, Classic BritishQuality Charter, The Federation of British Historic VehicleClubs, Footman James Insurance Brokers, H&H Classic Auctions,Historic Motor Racing News, Ingear Motorsport Magazine, TheMotorsport Industry Association, Octane Magazine, Race TechMagazine. The International Historic Motorsport Show supportsthe following charities: The Motorsport Safety Fund, TheHistoric Vehicle Research Institute, The Shelsley Trust.
