AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL OPENS 2009 MOTORSPORT SEASON

London, January 19, 2009: The NEC doors have now closed on motorsport's inaugural 2009 event, Autosport International, which saw the industry's season open with an array of launches and presentations by the sport's representatives at Europe's largest motorsport show.

The Birmingham-based show took place on 08-11 January, with its first two days dedicated to trade visitors. Here are just a few of the many highlights:

MOTORSPORT'S KEY FIGURES

Several high-profile industry figureheads attended Autosport International, with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal Ron Dennis making an appearance on the Friday. Dennis spoke at the annual Watkins Lecture, before taking to the show's Central Stage.

Addressing the large crowd of show-visitors, Ron Dennis spoke of Formula 1's efforts in addressing its cost-efficiency. "We have some extremely competent people behind the commercial future of Grand Prix racing and they are all focused on the global financial situation. Although teams are fiercely competitive, for the first time in the sport's history, we are putting aside our differences for the sake of our businesses and the sport."

Prodrive and Aston Martin Chairman David Richards was also present to launch the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Challenge with Britcar organiser James Tucker.

Donington Park Chief Executive Officer Simon Gillett attended, too, choosing Autosport International for his first live interview since the circuit's planning permission approval was confirmed that week.

"We are working to have everything completed by 01 April 2010, ironically," said Gillett, who spoke of Donington Park's undergoing changes before hosting the British round of the Formula 1 World Championship in 2010. "That's the date for the FIA inspection before the race weekend. Work has already started and a second phase of construction is planned for the middle of the year."

UNVEILINGS AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Autosport International was once again the scene of several unveilings, including land-speed record breaker Richard Noble's latest venture, the Bloodhound project. A model of the supersonic Bloodhound SSC car and two of its three engines, the EJ200 jet engine and an MCT 800bhp V12 unit, was displayed at the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) stand.

Speaking from the Autosport Stage, Project Director Richard Noble said that they were dealing with the most advanced technology in the world. "We have a car here with 130,000 horsepower," he explained. "The last one was just over 100,000hp; it's a very different world to circuit racing!"

Formula 1 test driver Pedro de la Rosa also attended the show to promote the Spanish Motorland Aragon circuit project. The McLaren test driver spoke of his involvement in the Alcaniz-based Aragon project: "It's one of the most exciting projects happening in Spain for some time. It is more than a circuit; it's a complete city for motor racing fans and their families."

Also breaking cover at Autosport International was the new MSD Opel Corsa S2000 rally car, due to make its competitive debut on Rallye Monte Carlo at the end of the month.

Exhibitors KTM unveiled the KTM X-Bow Trophy 2009, a cross-championship competition running across national and European GT series, and its car, the KTM X-Bow GT4.

The Prindiville Performance Murcielago, a uniquely-styled, composite-body Lamborghini special was also launched, as was the new Raw Fulcrum, a lightweight sports car, just one of many new sports cars unveiled at the show.

AWARDS

The Autosport International Stand Awards also took place, with Richard Egger Insurance receiving the prestigious "Best National Motorsport stand." "This came as a huge surprise," said Richard Egger. "Massive thanks must go to all the clubs, championships, competitors and teams who supplied cars, time and people to help promote club motorsport."