Auto Trader Blog

Jaguar XJ9 sports cr at Autosport International 2008

It’s January and that means Autosport International. But, unlike taking down the Christmas decorations and eating leftover turkey, this is one part of the month I genuinely enjoy.

For petrolheads it’s the first signs of life in the year’s British motor racing calendar. Top racing names like Andy Priaulx, Jason Plato and Paul di Resta will be there, and there’s a special celebration commemorating David Coulthard’s 15 years as an F1 driver.

And, of course, loads and loads of cars. Are you going this year?

You can read more about the star cars of the show in our preview article.

I’m particularly looking forward to getting a close look at Peugeot’s 908 Le Mans racer. Peugeot pinned its hopes of winning the classic Le Mans 24 Hours with it last year. But they were defeated by an inspired performance by Audi’s three-man team headed by Scotsman Allan McNish.

Lotus is long gone from Formula 1 these days, but in the 1970s it was often the team to beat. A collection of great F1 Lotuses will greet visitors at the show: including Emerson Fittipaldi’s championship-winning Type 72, and the 1985 97T that Ayrton Senna scored his first Grand Prix victory with.

Great cars of today, classic machines of yesterday. It makes the journey up to the Birmingham NEC more than worthwhile.

Are you going to Autosport International this year? Have you gone before? What’s you opinion of the show?