Autosport 2010: Twenty years of innovation

Since 1990, the annual event has played host to innovative new products and services, and this year will be no different.

The four day event comprises a two day trade show and two day trade and public show. Autosport Engineering, which takes place on Thursday and Friday, is firmly established as Europe's largest dedicated, trade only motorsport exhibition for specialist technical suppliers to the motorsport and performance engineering industry.

Over 26,000 of last year's attendees were from the trade sector, and in excess of 4,000 of these travelled from overseas. Over $700 million worth of business was generated at the show with 66% of trade visitors making business purchases or signing contracts while in attendance, providing companies with the perfect winter boost.
From Belgium to Bahrain, Sweden to Slovenia, 49 countries were represented at the 2009 show, with almost half of them making Autosport International the only motorsport trade show they visited during the year. This year, new ground has been broken, with companies travelling from as far afield as Taiwan.

Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association when speaking of last year's show described the International Business Lounge as ‘outrageously busy', highlighting that Autosport International is the perfect venue to develop contacts and demonstrate products in a variety of specialised areas including Autosport Engineering and Manufacturing Technology. For this reason, the show is regarded by many industry figureheads as motorsport's primary technology show.

Ian France, show director for Haymarket Exhibitions, is delighted to be celebrating the show's anniversary: “Autosport International has played a pivotal role in the motorsport industry for many years,” he enthuses. “During the last two decades, the show has kicked off the season and provided a perfect networking platform for businesses in the sector. With the UK at the forefront of the motorsport industry, Autosport International provides the ideal setting not only for the development of national relations, but also to establish contacts worldwide.

“The current economic climate is undoubtedly tough, yet there was a highly positive atmosphere at last year's show and we're confident that this will be reciprocated at the 2010 event.”

Previous exhibitors already signed up for the show include Capricorn Automotive (engine components), Eibach (springs), Baty International (measuring gauges) and Tilton (drivetrain, starters and brakes). Other companies geared up for January include Dunlop, which has the largest stand at the show, HP Bearings, which is launching its innovative rotary position sensor for motorsport applications, as well as Zircotec where the new ZircoFlex flexible ceramic heat shield will be available.

“The increasing distance companies are prepared to travel to exhibit illustrates the overseas impact of the show,” says Autosport International's head of business development Tony Tobias. “Once again the level of interest from both home and abroad, and the number of first time exhibitors is a testament to the success of Autosport Engineering, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.”

Once again, Solutions will be supporting the Manufacturing Technology section within Autosport Engineering, where we will not only cater for the motorsport industry, but also cross-over technology from aerospace, marine and military as well as other industries that use high performance engineering technology. On the machine tool front, exhibitors include Haas Automation and XYZ Machine Tools. In addition, Faro UK will be showcasing the latest developments in computer aided measurement systems and software.

It is also the second year in operation for the Trade and Technical area, which allows engineering orientated exhibitors to display for the full four days.

Autosport International
www.autosport-international.com