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Revving up 2021: ASI Connect digital networking event registration opens.

Motorsport industry professionals don’t have to wait until 2022 for networking. Trade registration for the all-new Autosport International (ASI) Connect, the innovative digital networking event for the motorsport industry, is now open.

The online-only event will occur on 10-11 March 2021 and feature the Motorsport Business Leaders Forum. Invitations have been sent to the 15,000 high-level industry leaders who attend Autosport International, allowing them to network with virtual exhibitors, participate in debates on the sport’s future, and share knowledge at speeches and panel discussions during the two-day event. The ”virtual attendees” will be able book appointments and build relationships through the bespoke ASI Connect app. 

 

Attendees will also receive a six-month Autosport+ subscription when they register. Exhibitors can book their virtual stand at ASI Connect and discuss sponsorship opportunities with our sales team by contacting autosport.international@autosport.com or through our website www.autosportinternational.com. Trade registration is now open. 

To be the first to hear and keep up with the latest Autosport International news, sign up for the newsletter here https://newsletter.autosportinternational.com/signup/.   

Autosport International 2022

Autosport International is one of the most significant events in the UK motorsport calendar, bringing together some of the most famous motorsport names together under one roof. It will return to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in January 2022.

Fans can get up close to the machines involved in every level of the sport, from karting to F1, and see live driving shows and superstar guests. In 2020, F1 stars such as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris helped attract over 90,000 fans.

 

Autosport International will roar back into action at the NEC in 2022 for a grand re-opening ahead of a high octane four-day event packed with the latest cars, drivers and technology from the world of international motorsport. 

Autosport International 2022 will have trade-only days featuring the Motorsport Business Leaders Forum and Autosport Engineering events on Thursday, 13 January and Friday, 14 January. 

 

On Saturday 15 January and Sunday 16 January, the show opens to the public with the star-studded Autosport Stage, giving fans the chance to meet their motorsport heroes and the Live Action Arena thrilling crowds with indoor racing and stunt driving.  

Mandy Cox, Autosport International Operations Director, said, ‘For over 30 years, January has been the time when over 90,000 fans and trade professionals descend on Autosport International. 2021 is a very different situation with lockdown 3. Still, we are focused on making the 2022 event a fantastic bounceback celebration of everything great about our international industry and the sport we love.’

Tickets will go on sale later in the year. 

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Part of the four-day Autosport International on 9-12 January, the British motorsport industry was joined in Birmingham by professionals and performance engineering companies from around the world, networking and viewing the latest technology on the eve of the new season.

During the show, new data was released by the Motorsport Industry Association, documenting that the UK sector generated £9 billion in sales in 2012, up from £4.6 billion in 2000.

Almost 200 companies exhibited within the two-day Autosport Engineering in association with Racecar Engineering, while a number of industry leaders such as AP Racing, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Tuning GmbH and Quaife Engineering remain for the weekend’s two public days.

Representing every level of motorsport, approximately 600 exhibitors are present at Birmingham’s NEC across the show’s duration.

Local manufacturers featured among the new projects on display, spanning every level of motorsport. Chevron Cars introduced its new specification V8 GT3 and GT4 race cars, Trident Sportscars its new turbo diesel GT3/GT4, and Sin Cars GmbH the road-going version of its Sin R1.

Other launches included the Zenos Cars E10 lightweight sports car, JRM’s Group N Subaru WRX STI rally car and the Radical RXC Turbo powered by Ford’s EcoBoost engine.

“There’s been a fantastic atmosphere and a lot of activity within halls over the last two days, and the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors has been really positive,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing so much new technology on display with Autosport Engineering, as we look forward to the rest of the show, we wish them every success for the remainder of 2014.”

Among the exhibitors recognised for their presence at the show, simulation software developers ANSYS received the award for best overall stand within Autosport Engineering, WDS Component Parts Ltd was named as having the best small stand and Yamazaki Mazak as the best manufacturing technology stand.

“This is the first time ANSYS has attended the show, and with some exciting things to show on the stand, it’s been a good event,” said Bimal Dharsi, UK Marketing Manager, ANSYS.

“We’ve got a big presence in motorsport, with the top six F1 teams using our software, but it’s been good to raise awareness about who we are and what we do.

“Having done shows for 17 years, it’s the first show we’ve done where we’ve had 99 per cent new prospects coming to the stand, which is brilliant. It’s great to see and talk to a lot of students here as well, they’re obviously going to be the engineers of tomorrow.”

Caterham Cars was recognised as having the best overall stand within the four-day Autosport International, Omex Technology the best Trade and Technical stand, Sweden’s Öhlins Racing AB the best overseas exhibitor, 750 Motor Club the best National Motorsport stand, while M-Sport and Classic Race Simulators also received awards.

The show continues tomorrow, with the first of two public days. Attending guests include the only man to have won world championships on two and four wheels, John Surtees, ex-racer and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle, British F1 rookie Max Chilton and Le Mans legends Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. Tickets are available fromwww.autosportinternational.com.

Autosport International 2015 will be held at Birmingham’s NEC on 8-11 January. 

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Gill Sensors has revealed that its Ultrasonic Fuel Flow Meter has been homologated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for use in the 2014 Formula one and World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The meters will now become mandatory in both LMP1 and WEC according to new FIA regulations. The fuel flow meter offers real time data required for the new regulations and measures bi-directions fuel flow to a very high degree of accuracy.

Designed with an innovative, lightweight construction, the flow meter achieves the rapid transit response rate vital for the harsh environment application. The meter is capable of a flow measurement rate of 8000ml/min and fulfils the FIA’s accuracy requirements. It uses solid-state ultrasonic flow measurement technology to detect the flow rate. It can monitor both transient and steady fuel flow, flow direction, fuel temperature and cumulative fuel usage.

With no mechanical moving parts within the flow path, pressure drop across is minimised providing true flow rate data with little impact on the fuel flow itself. Featuring a newly-developed electronic platform, which integrates the latest technology, the meter is capable of measuring fuel flow rate at 1KHz.

“Gill Sensors are thrilled to have been chosen to undertake this extraordinary venture and we are delighted that the FIA is confident in the performance and durability of the Ultrasonic Fuel Flow Meter.” says Mike Gill, Chairman of Gill Sensors. “We would like to thank the FIA and all the teams for their backing which has been fundamental to the project.”

The ultrasonic fuel flow meter will remain homologated for use within Formula 1 and WEC throughout the expected lifetime of the turbocharged V6 engine and future designs. However it may not be the only homologated meter on offer to teams. A late change to the mounting requirements for the meter has also seen some F1 teams having to make late changes to the 2014 cars fuel system design.

Gill will be displaying the FIA approved meters at Autosport Engineering from 9th-10th January on stand E161.

All of the fuel flow meters will have to be calibrated by Calibra Technology which will also help the FIA enforce the new rules by providing random checks of flow meters throughout the season.

Calibra is headed by Managing Director Andrew Burston, who spent 10 years as a designer and project leader with Lola Cars, working on Champ Car, Formula 3000, Formula Nippon, and Le Mans Prototype chassis. During this period he also studied Engineering for Sustainable Development at Cambridge University, focusing on energy and climate change issues. Burston later worked for Multimatic before joining renewable racing start-up Hyspeed LLC as Technical Director in 2009.

While at Hyspeed, Burston was the first to identify the potential advantages of an ultrasonic sensor in measuring fuel flow, brought the opportunity to the attention of a sensor manufacturer, and introduced the concept to the FIA. Burston participated in the technical development of the sensor and its testing methodology from late 2010 until early 2013, when the need for an independent calibration service became clear. Having taken the lead in creating the test rig and procedures needed to calibrate the sensors for the requirements of F1 and endurance racing, Burston left Hyspeed to form Calibra in mid-2013.

“It is very satisfying to be involved in implementing the FIA’s vision for bringing racing into line with the concerns of the motor industry and society at large,” said Burston. “The extreme technical demands of F1 and sportscars threw up a lot of challenges along the way, but now the sport is poised to accelerate the development of the next generation of energy-efficient cars and more sustainable fuels.”

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Motorsport firm JRM has revealed its new Group N specification Subaru WRX rally car at the Autosport Show in Birmingham. The firm is best known for its GT3 specification Nissan GT-R but has been involved in rallying for many years as well. The new car also marks the beginning of an official partnership with Subaru Tecnica International (STI). The two organisations have teamed up to help the Japanese marque to re-establish a front line presence in the Gp N category.

“We’re extremely proud to have reached an official agreement to produce Gp N rally cars in association with STI,” James Rumsey, JRM executive director, said. “The WRX STI is a formidable performance car and we have found there is a real hunger in markets around the world for a latest-specification Gp N Subaru that is strong, reliable and cost effective.”

JRM claims that the car is unique and different to other WRX STIs of the same generation because it is the first in Europe to be built in a sedan configuration. The engineers behind the project have chosen this specification because they believe that the sedan offers improved aerodynamics, traction and balance over the alternative hatchback WRX STI.

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The S3 is the fourth addition to Rotek’s stable and its family of Audi racing cars. The team will continue to run its 25 Hours of Thunderhill-winning TTRS, an R8 LMS in some of the finest international endurance races and an RS4 in the German VLN Endurance Championship on the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife.

“Being the first American full-time entry in the BTCC is a huge achievement for both myself and Rotek Racing,” said Rotek Racing driver, Holland. “This is the culmination of several years of hard work and, because the BTCC is what got me into racing in the first place, joining as a full-time entrant is definitely a dream come true

“The BTCC rounds I’ve contested to this point were all done with the view of understanding what the series is about and what it will take for us to be successful in it. We still have a huge amount of hard work to do to make the grid at Brands Hatch and 2014 will definitely be a learning year.

Holland continued: “Trying to build a new car and develop it with very little testing is a tall ask for anyone and there are still many tracks for me to learn. That being said, I’m really looking forward to running the Audi S3 saloon. I think it will be a good fit – from a marketing perspective it’s great to be running the S3 at this time. Audi has just launched the car and, as the first of the new generation S3s to race anywhere in the world, I’m really hoping that it will attract a lot of attention from Audi fans across the globe.

“I’m also really glad to have the support of Oakley Motorsports Europe with this effort. Oakley Motorsports sees the BTCC as the perfect high visibility platform to launch their line of motorsports gear here in the UK and across Europe.”

Rotek’s Thunderhill winning modified Audi TTRS is featured in the new issue of Racecar Engineering, available at either of our stands at the Autosport International Show.

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Approximately 600 performance engineering companies and 30,000 motorsport professionals are expected to attend the show, with international guests joining the renowned British motorsport community to start the new season. Following a second trade-focused day tomorrow, Friday 10 January, doors will open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

The extent of the sector’s contribution to the UK economy was further highlighted by the release of new data about its growth. In figures compiled and released today by the Motorsport Industry Association, Britain’s Motorsport Valley generated £9 billion in sales in 2012, up £4.6 billion in 2000.

The MIA’s Members Business Lounge and the UKTI’s unique International Business Exchange, facilitating global relationships for the local industry, are among the networking opportunities for professionals at the show.

A number of new projects launched today at Autosport International showcase the strength of the sector.

The new venture for former Caterham Cars CEO Ansar Ali and COO Mark Edwards, Zenos Cars revealed its first model, the lightweight E10 sports car. Track-focused and road legal, the open-top, two-seater is powered by a 200bhp engine, weighs 650kg and covers 0-60mph in under five seconds.

With a unique aluminium extrusion ‘backbone’ chassis architecture, the E10 will be available from just £24,995.

“It’s been a huge day for Zenos Cars,” co-founder Ali said. “As a major event for the UK sports car industry, Autosport International is a great place to make the E10’s presence known. We’re really glad to be here, and hopefully by the end of the four days more people will be familiar with the Zenos brand.

“In designing the car, it was a fine balance; we wanted it to look aggressive without having an outrageous attitude. We’d already communicated the engineering of the car, so people knew what underpins it, but the reaction to the design and the pricepoint from the press, industry and potential customers has been really positive.”

Local race preparation company, JRM launched a brand-new Group N specification Subaru WRX STI rally car, signalling the start of a partnership with Subaru Tecnica International, the Japanese manufacturer’s motorsport arm. The project is unique as a sedan configuration of the current generation WRX STI, rather than a hatchback, to deliver improved aerodynamics, traction and balance.

“The WRX STI is a formidable performance car and we have found there is a real hunger in markets around the world for a latest-specification Gp N Subaru that is strong, reliable and cost effective,” said James Rumsey, JRM executive director.

As part of Ford’s presence at the show, the Radical RXC Turbo was introduced, following the launch of the RXC at Autosport International 2013. The 3.5-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine from Ford’s EcoBoost range produces 454bhp to cover 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds.

“It’s been a fantastic day to start Autosport International 2014, with a host of major projects among the new technology on display and members of the global motorsport industry on hand,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

“As evidenced by the latest figures released by the MIA documenting the on-going growth of the UK motorsport sector, the industry is in a very healthy state and that’s represented by the atmosphere within halls at the show about the year ahead.”

Autosport International continues tomorrow with a second day dedicated to trade guests, before doors open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Trade registration is available at the door for £28, visit www.autosportinternational.com for more information.

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Taking place on 9-12 January 2014 at Birmingham’s NEC, Autosport International was in 2013 visited by 28,000 motorsport professionals and more than 600 leading manufacturers and suppliers covering all areas of motorsport.

In the UK, motorsport is a significant contributor to the UK economy and the centrally located Motorsport Valley is home to over 3,500 companies and 40,000 jobs, including 25,000 engineers. The show provides budding engineers the opportunity to network with prospective employers and discuss the latest technology in the sector.

Over all four days, a dedicated Careers in Motorsport area will host a number of universities, colleges and specialist training providers, all of which will be able to offer advice on how to find a route into the industry.

Alumni from the University of Bolton will be available to discuss a number of success stories to date including Keating Supercars. CEO, Tony Keating will show his new creation, the Keating Bolt, ahead of its participation in a land speed record later in 2014. In addition, the University will discuss its new Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE) and partnership with Team RLR MSport – the centre is the first of its kind in the country to have an in-house and fully-functioning race team on a University campus.

Professor George Holmes, University of Bolton Vice Chancellor commented, “We’re very excited to be taking CAPE to an exhibition that brings the world of motorsport together, fans and professionals alike love Autosport International.”

On the show’s dedicated trade days, Thursday and Friday, the world’s largest student motorsport event, Formula Student, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers will be available to discuss the proven training ground for the next generation of world-class engineers.

The weekend will give school-aged attendees in the new Festival Zone the opportunity to find out about motorsport in education with GreenPower, F1 in Schools and Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenges all available to talk about their initiatives and give young people a taste of what it takes to become an engineer.

“Motorsport offers an array of opportunities for those looking to progress a career in anything from driving to engineering as well as marketing and design. This event offers attendees the chance to network under one roof to further investigate the possibilities with the motorsport and high performance technology industry,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

For those looking to progress a career on television, Motors TV, the motoring television channel, will be offering two lucky competition winners the chance to become its next commentator and presenter, covering the British GT Championship in 2014.

Student and trade tickets are available from £26, with discounts for group bookings. To register call +44 (0)845 218 6012, or visit the new www.autosportinternational.com.

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Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show will host approximately 600 companies displaying the latest technology at Birmingham’s NEC on 9-12 January, with the opening two days solely for industry attendees.

Led by 21 exhibitors crossing the Atlantic from the USA and groups exceeding a dozen from both Germany and Italy, almost 100 international exhibitors are expected at the show from 22 different nations, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Taiwan beyond Europe.

The group features industry leaders such as Aurora Bearing Company, AVL Schrick GmbH, Brembo S.p.A., Injen Technology, Koni, M.E.RIN Safety Fuel Tanks, Öhlins Racing AB, Sadev and the Swedish Motorsport Industry.

Continuing the international theme, over 60 nations were represented in the audience of 28,000 motorsport professionals at Autosport International 2013, as a show record £1.07 billion worth of new business was generated within the sector.

The jet-setters will join the revered UK motorsport sector, which creates £6 billion in global sales annually, with Motorsport Valley home to over 3,500 companies and 40,000 jobs, including eight of the 11 teams in Formula One.

Among the new projects on show, local motorsport preparation company JRM will unveil a brand new rally car programme on Thursday 9 January, signalling the start of a manufacturer partnership, with a former World Rally Champion to spearhead the testing and development process.

The Daventry-firm will also take the covers off its 2014 specification Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 racer, the successor to the V6-powered sports car that won the Pro-AM category in the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series.

Another local manufacturer, Trident Sportscars is launching its new Iceni GT3 and GT4 race cars, delivering GT performance and a zero carbon footprint.

The Iceni is powered by a 6.6-litre, turbo diesel V8 engine producing up to 660bhp and 1,050lbs of torque to cover 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, and is set to compete in GT Cup and Britcar events in the UK, and international long-distance races on diesel or biodiesel fuel. Road versions run on 100% biodiesel fuel, achieving 68mpg at 70mph, and a range of 2,000 miles.

The show will also feature the launch of the new lightweight Zenos E10 sports car, the new venture for former Caterham Cars CEO Ansar Ali and COO Mark Edwards, and the road-going Sin R1 supercar.

“It’s always exciting to walk around Autosport International and see so much new technology on display, ranging from individual components to complete race car projects,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

“A lot of that comes from Motorsport Valley and the buoyant British motorsport industry, but having such a large and diverse range of international exhibitors at the show is fantastic. Not only does it provide a great opportunity for our local sector to expand their networks and view the latest technology from around the world, but also highlights the standing in which the industry is held globally.”

Autosport International forms part of International Motorsport Business Week (IMBW), a unique schedule of conferences, symposiums and networking opportunities for leading engineers and decision makers between 6-12 January.

Speakers for 2014 IMBW events include Ulrich Baretzky (Audi Sport, Head of Engine Technology), John Iley (Caterham F1 Team, Performance Director), Bernard Niclot (FIA Technical Director), Pat Symonds (Williams F1, Chief Technical Officer) and Charlie Whiting (Formula One Race Director).

Trade registration for Autosport International 2014 is available from £26 and discounts available for group bookings. To register call +44 (0)845 218 6012, or visit www.autosportinternational.com.

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Among the innovations on display at Birmingham’s NEC on 9-12 January during Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show, the engines feature RTU Group’s patented Pseudo Adiabatic system, utilising lower combustion temperatures to significantly increase efficiency. Considerably improved power is accompanied by extended durability and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

The American-Slovakian company will announce specifications for its two new, 1.6-litre eLMP boxer engines during its presence on the show’s trade-only days, 9-10 January. With one intended for racing and other for the road, final configurations of the turbo, de-stroked four-cylinder units spanning 180hp to 600hp are expected, pending final partner requirements.

The pair will be joined by the five-cylinder, 2.5-litre e Fone engine, capable of producing up to 814hp and with exhaust gas temperatures of 351°C. All three engines have a modified combustion process, low friction materials and a bespoke engine management system.

RTU Group is also involved in the military, IT and medical sectors, while Pseudo Adiabatic power generation has been used in helicopters and marine craft.

“We see these engines as the perfect showcase for our Pseudo Adiabatic technology, looking ahead to the future of the automotive industry, and motorsport, with its current shift towards lower capacity engines,” said Dick Kvetnansky, Chief Executive Officer for RTU Group in Europe.

“Due to heat and friction in the combustion process, many current engines only achieve 25 to 30 per cent efficiency. With lower combustion temperatures, we can waste less energy and achieve significantly improved efficiency, in the vicinity of 70 per cent. The performance results are phenomenal and the technology can also be retrofitted to any existing combustion engine, if the block can accommodate the additional power.

“Following an extensive development and testing process, the eLMP and e Fone engines are ready for automotive and motorsport applications. We’re already in discussions with a number of small volume vehicle manufacturers and race teams.”

RTU Group is among almost 500 companies from around the world to have signed on as an exhibitor for next month’s show. In 2013, over £1 billion worth of new business in the motorsport and performance engineering sector was generated between exhibitors and the show’s trade audience of 28,000 professionals.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing cutting edge technology from a diverse range of exhibitors at Autosport International next month, and RTU Group’s new engines are sure to attract significant attention, particularly with the growing focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions on and off track,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.

Trade registration for Autosport International 2014 is now open, from £26 with discounts for group bookings. To register call +44 (0)845 218 6012, or visit www.autosportinternational.com.

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