Its back - Autosport International 2023
Its back! Autosport International returned after lockdown curtailed previous shows. With trade days on the Thursday and Friday, the public were back in numbers on Saturday and Sunday.
Talking about his Race Against Dementia charity, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE took to the stage on Sunday. He was also opened the Motorsport Memories Gallery, an exhibition of artwork chosen by the public of their greatest Motorsport Memories. The public chose the Colin McRae's 1995 World Rally Championship win.
Also on the main Autosport stage at the weekend, new BTCC Champion was talking about his maiden title while multi Le Mans winner Allan McNish was speaking all things motorsport. Meanwhile Thursday saw the reveal of the new Hyundai Elantra N TCR to the UK. The Hyundai has already seen success in the FIA World Touring Car Cup and the 2022 TCR Italy Touring Car Championship.
F1 was represented this year with a display from Silverstone Interactive Museum with cars from the 2022 Champions Max Verstappen and Red Bull, Alpine and Aston Martin. Lining up alongside these modern variants was the 1951 BRM with its V16 1.5L engine.
With the new power technology within motorsport (hybrid in both F1 and BTCC) and Formula E there was big emphasis on the new varied options. One of the new developments was the Forze Hydrogen Racing Prototype Forze VIII on display. This is a hydrogen run Le Mans car solely run by students. Also on show was the new electric rallycross cars racing alongside popping banging petrol versions.
Also in the Live Action Arena there was another great 45 minute show which left everyone's ear throbbing to the sounds or rallycross, stock cars, autograss and more. There was also a poignant tribute to the late Ken Block with a video montage and his Ford Focus Rally car going off into the darkness at the end. In-between the racing there were stunt displays culminating in one of Terry Grant's spectacular finales.
Pics: Ian Cutting & Lisa Lynch (I & L Photography)
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