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The Autosport Show is always a great way to kick off a New Year, with an opportunity to catch up with old friends and new and to mix with the good and great of the motorsport world.
ASI17 was no different this year, with the highlights being the stunning Williams Martini Racing 40th Anniversary feature, as well as The Classic Team Lotus display of all 7 remaining Lotus 49s.
The Formula Ford 50th Anniversary display featured Ayrton Senna's Van Diemen RF81, which was unsurprisingly attracting a lot of attention, with cars driven by Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher and Emmerson Fittipaldi also in attendance.
The show which was this year opened by McClaren's Zak Brown, featured throughout the weekend, Martin Brundle, Darren Turner, Derek Warwick, Nick Tandy, Jacques Villeneuve, Lance Stroll, Dario Franchitti, Johnny Herbert , Matt Neal, Andrew Jordan, Gordon Sheddon, Adrian Newey, Claire Williams and John McGuiness to name but a few.
The Autosports Stage was very busy throughout the event, with the live interviews always worth listening to, particularly with Jacques Villeneuve reliving his 1997 World Championship final showdown with Michael Schumacher.
The Live Arena featured rallycross cars including the Porsche 911R and Audi Quattro as well as a head to head BTCC Time Trial, later followed by stunt driver Terry Grant completing a stunning loop-the-loop!
The Technical area is always a popular section of the show. If you're a competitor, or technically minded, the range of equipment on show is mind blowing, displays by companies such as Alcon, Goodridge, Milltec, Bosche and MoTec all unveiling new products.
The Performance Car Show featured a fabulous display of the iconic Ford Sierra 500Cosworths in their racing livery, brought back memories for me of my own original Sierra Cosworth, another car I should have kept!
Other displays featured such head turners as the New Aston Martin DB11, Ford GT, Jaguar F-Type SVR, Ferrari California T Handling Speciale, Honda NSX and Porsche GT3 RS, it was good to see a couple of McLarens on display as well, including the 570S GT4
Liberty Walk EU displayed a modified Lamborghini Aventador as well as a debut for the Ferrari 458.
At the Coys Auction one of my favourite cars The Ferrari 246 GT Dino took pride of place and sold for £245000, with a 1966 Mini Cooper S one of BMC's Competition cars fetching £44000. Another great selection of cars finding new homes.
With plenty of areas to sit and chat, this show never feels too packed, there is always the opportunity to get up close to most of the displays, including the 2016 F1 cars on display. The stands around the show sell everything to do with our beloved sport, clothing, memorabilia, paintings, you name it and it's available.
This is a show you shouldn't miss, we will certainly be back again next year. See you there.
