Autosport International 2010

The 2009 show was held in the tight grip of recession and yet it was very busy reflecting little sign of the economic storm outside. 2010 had different storms to contend with yet once again the show seemed to shrug these off just as completely. Indeed the NEC could quite easily show a few local authorities how to manage snow clearance, not just on the NEC road system and car parks, but also for the miles of footpaths.

Inside the show MG focussed displays were thin on the ground with the pinnacle being the MG Lola EX265 on the Racecar Engineering stand. Two MG Metro 6R4s were displayed and even today the specification and engineering belies the fact that the 6R4 is 25 years old. It’s years since I had the pleasure of driving a 429bhp Metro 6R4 but the performance, and specifically the incredible traction, remains stunning even by modern standards.

The remaining MG presence was all in the Coys Auction area led by a very tidy looking MG TD II finished in a colour similar to Old English White. Two other MGs were the final MG attendees, an apparently well prepared MG Midget Challenge car, which according to stickers had quite a number of race wins under its belt. Next to it was a rather sad green MG Magnette ZA that was odd with a roll cage fitted inside. The rather tired paint gave the impression that the car had just come off a film set where it would have had the part of an army staff car, although sitting on MGB Rostyle wheels didn’t enhance that image.

MG Lola Le Mans race car

Metro 6R4

MG TD in Coys auction, behind a wooden motorcycle

One stand displayed a very interesting specification oversize 1480cc A series engine in front wheel drive format with the now well proven KAD 16 valve twin cam head conversion with many other complimentary modifications including multiple throttle body fuel injection. A dyno sheet attached to the engine showed a very respectable 190+bhp at around a heady 8500rpm. The rest of the dyno plot showed respectable power and torque from 2500rpm so that would make an original Mini or MG Metro move very well indeed, as long as the gearbox could stand it. It would also make for a very rapid Midget and with the facility to use the Ford Type 9 five speed gearbox which can take that power, well, I need say no more other than it would cost more than a K series engine conversion, but it would certainly be different.

There may not be that much of an MG nature to recent Autosport shows, but there is never any doubt that this show is one for the true petrol head with so many attractions on display including F1 heroes and the cars they drive. I follow F1 but my real interest is in the lower forms of motorsport and the engineering side of things and here there is always so much in depth to see. However, you do have to get through the plethora of scantily clad females, so many showing off their bone structure and looking less than in tip top health trying to get to or maintain that false Size 0, which I find all very worrying.

KAD 16 valve twin cam A series

Bugatti W16 engine

Magnette ZA in Coys auction

At the other end of the scale was the very encouraging number of academic institutions with an active motorsport element to their teaching. This together with the plethora of small motorsport and road car modifying companies displaying their skills and wares amply displayed the huge number of these companies involved, there is little wonder that the UK is a leader in this field.

Technological progress continues to advance and much of this will ultimately find its way into the cars we use today. This will obviously include lightweight materials for all aspects of vehicles, in the body structure, suspension, engines and glazing materials. It is also interesting to see how some of these advancements can be applied to our classics, a good example being the leading edge heat management treatments and other materials from Zircotec. The surface treatments on cast and tubular exhaust manifolds will significantly reduce heat radiation that will reduce fuel vapourisation issues while providing a quality surface finish, much prettier than exhaust wrap commonly used.

It was also good to see Government departments exhibiting and not just DVLA Personalised Registrations, but an offshoot of the Business and Innovations Dept. Hopefully this is an indicator of the recognition that this area of UK industry is thriving and needs to be nurtured. Mind you I was a touch perplexed when I initially came upon the stand of HM Revenue and Customs.

This year also saw a large number of car based game machines, some were also attached to motorised rigs to provide the full moving experience of racing. A couple of these clearly gave a true simulator experience and I wonder how long it will be before part of the qualification and testing process for up and coming drivers in motorsport will require simulator training courses like airline pilots?

Those who attend this show know why they go back year on year, to those who may be thinking of visiting I can only say it is well worth the trip.