Ive been to a few Autosport shows, and the shame is over time its gone from a huge show, full of suppliers, shops, brands, fabricators, engineers and race teams all happy to chat and advise anyone about anything race car related, and more into a car meet feeling event with more focus on showing off cars rather than building them.
I know they're trying to be all inclusive of the Motorsport industry and certain aspects suit different audiences, we know how we like our bread buttered though.
As a 60 yr old Codger I can confirm that I visited the first ever Autosport show back in 1991? I have met Dario Franchitti, Richard Petty and David Coulthard there and seen some proper once in a lifetime race cars there. I remember talking to trade stands from all over the world and learning about companies I hadn't heard of previously. From what I saw in this video, it appeared there was much clubsport stuff on show, which is great, but this show should be all about the glitz and glamour of Motorsport rather than grass roots perhaps?
I went up on the thursday this year with work, first time ive been in about 5 years, but it used to be our one 'must do' show every year. Was surprised by how much its changed since i last visited (poss covid influence??) much, much less trade stuff there, a lot of the big aftermarket people simply werent there, i reckon the show was about 30% down on stands compared to the last time i went (it was one hall smaller, and there were a lot of empty slots) and there was a lot more 'tat' stands than there used to be. Overall, still considerably better than a day in the office, but possibly wont bother next year. shame really.....
Was my first and probably last time there! Not worth the 5 hour round trip in my opinion. Was more like a modified car meet which isn't my thing, Live Arena was interesting though and now got me looking at attending some Grass Track meets
@@ClubRacingUK Grass track is one of the most under rated motorsports in the UK, and that comes from a die hard circuit historic/classic single seater guy!
Been going to this show for years but this year was absolutly terrible 1 hour and we had seen everything . the cost of the pitches there is no wonder non of the usual companys were there selling things they wouldnt even make the money bavk the pitch would cost. 2 bad years now i fear the worst that this show is now over
It was OK is about the best I can say. The networking was good with the people that were there. Some places were just sending people to have meetings which worked if you chose the day they were available. When they had stands you knew you'd always catch someone. Hopefully it can improve a little bit for next year
The show looked shocking TBH, at least compared with when I last attended. Mind you, I stopped racing on circuits in 2004 so it's been a while. I think I'd be more inclined to try the specialist shows, Race Retro and Motorsport with Attitude, which are targetted at specific audiences.
Static shows just aren’t worth it for the enthusiasts I’ll stick to watching racing at Brands hatch or Snetterton thanks for the insight though you’ve just saved me some cash guys 👍🏻🇬🇧
For me personally I got a lot more out of it this year compared to last year I can only ego what you’ve said it depends on what you’re there for. For me having championships like WRC, WEC, DTM represented was a big win for me. I’d understand if you was just there for F1 or BTCC you might be disappointed but overall it was definitely better then last year for sure, yes it’s not what it used to be but we live in a different world and I’ll be back I just it carries on for years to come improves and people get behind it 😊
Didn't go back this year after finding last year's one very disappointing (first one I had missed since about 2016). I just feel you are getting less and less for your money and as a result didn't think it was worth going. On a separate note I would highly recommend Race Retro in Warwickshire next month. Whole hall dedicated to auto jumbles, live rally stage to watch, you can pay to have a passenger ride in a rally car and large static displays of cars both in and out of the halls plus loads of trade stands and industry professionals and car clubs in attendance all for a lower ticket price than Autosport International
I went this year and last year. And before that, nearly every year before that. COVID has played a massive part in the Shows dynamics, and structure. Last year it was good, ok the big boys werent there, but it was first time back after the pandemic, so it was a test show in reality. This year was better. The organisers have a 3 yr plan for the show, i i think last weekends show can only get better, M-Sport unveiling the WRC Puma, Drivers there as well, plus Guenther Steiner as well. BTCC was a let down, Tom Ingram was there on his stand, the Motorsport News atnd was supposed to have BTCC display, but only PMR displayed, the others pulled out at the last minute. If the suppliers, teams and manufactuers take a punt and show up then it will be great, not how it used to be, as times have changed
Spending £40k for a stall just is not worth it, can you blame them? Shame how much it has gone downhill. Doesn't held thatyou had 7 badly coloured teslas infront of one of the entrances
Should give Motorsport with attitude a go a show just just starting up but is good I take my car there good weekend it’s 3/4th of February at Staffordshire showground
Live action arena was OK, rest of the show was lame. Close to zero famous drivers on the Sunday. Clearly the professionals view this show as a waste of time now.
Ive been to a few Autosport shows, and the shame is over time its gone from a huge show, full of suppliers, shops, brands, fabricators, engineers and race teams all happy to chat and advise anyone about anything race car related, and more into a car meet feeling event with more focus on showing off cars rather than building them.
I know they're trying to be all inclusive of the Motorsport industry and certain aspects suit different audiences, we know how we like our bread buttered though.
As a 60 yr old Codger I can confirm that I visited the first ever Autosport show back in 1991? I have met Dario Franchitti, Richard Petty and David Coulthard there and seen some proper once in a lifetime race cars there. I remember talking to trade stands from all over the world and learning about companies I hadn't heard of previously. From what I saw in this video, it appeared there was much clubsport stuff on show, which is great, but this show should be all about the glitz and glamour of Motorsport rather than grass roots perhaps?
Blimey, that's some accolade there!! But you are right, the spectacle has unfortunately died off these days. It's a real shame
I went up on the thursday this year with work, first time ive been in about 5 years, but it used to be our one 'must do' show every year. Was surprised by how much its changed since i last visited (poss covid influence??) much, much less trade stuff there, a lot of the big aftermarket people simply werent there, i reckon the show was about 30% down on stands compared to the last time i went (it was one hall smaller, and there were a lot of empty slots) and there was a lot more 'tat' stands than there used to be. Overall, still considerably better than a day in the office, but possibly wont bother next year. shame really.....
You're right it's definitely better than a day in the office 😂
I was on a stand back in 1990, and it use to be one of the two places people would catch up, the other was the British Grand Prix.
Was my first and probably last time there! Not worth the 5 hour round trip in my opinion. Was more like a modified car meet which isn't my thing, Live Arena was interesting though and now got me looking at attending some Grass Track meets
Grass track racing is mega to watch, keep us posted if you do go see some.
@@ClubRacingUK Grass track is one of the most under rated motorsports in the UK, and that comes from a die hard circuit historic/classic single seater guy!
Been going to this show for years but this year was absolutly terrible 1 hour and we had seen everything . the cost of the pitches there is no wonder non of the usual companys were there selling things they wouldnt even make the money bavk the pitch would cost. 2 bad years now i fear the worst that this show is now over
It was OK is about the best I can say. The networking was good with the people that were there. Some places were just sending people to have meetings which worked if you chose the day they were available. When they had stands you knew you'd always catch someone. Hopefully it can improve a little bit for next year
From what we've heard, there is new plans in the pipeline so we'll all keep our fingers crossed. As you say, still a great day for networking.
The show looked shocking TBH, at least compared with when I last attended. Mind you, I stopped racing on circuits in 2004 so it's been a while. I think I'd be more inclined to try the specialist shows, Race Retro and Motorsport with Attitude, which are targetted at specific audiences.
Static shows just aren’t worth it for the enthusiasts I’ll stick to watching racing at Brands hatch or Snetterton thanks for the insight though you’ve just saved me some cash guys 👍🏻🇬🇧
Been attending Autosport for years and this is the worst by far. It used to take me all day to go round, now an hour and I was done.
For me personally I got a lot more out of it this year compared to last year I can only ego what you’ve said it depends on what you’re there for. For me having championships like WRC, WEC, DTM represented was a big win for me. I’d understand if you was just there for F1 or BTCC you might be disappointed but overall it was definitely better then last year for sure, yes it’s not what it used to be but we live in a different world and I’ll be back I just it carries on for years to come improves and people get behind it 😊
Echo not ego sorry 😅
Agreed, if we don't support these shows we will loose them....... Just wish they'd also support companies that want to be there 😕
Didn't go back this year after finding last year's one very disappointing (first one I had missed since about 2016). I just feel you are getting less and less for your money and as a result didn't think it was worth going. On a separate note I would highly recommend Race Retro in Warwickshire next month. Whole hall dedicated to auto jumbles, live rally stage to watch, you can pay to have a passenger ride in a rally car and large static displays of cars both in and out of the halls plus loads of trade stands and industry professionals and car clubs in attendance all for a lower ticket price than Autosport International
I went this year and last year. And before that, nearly every year before that. COVID has played a massive part in the Shows dynamics, and structure. Last year it was good, ok the big boys werent there, but it was first time back after the pandemic, so it was a test show in reality. This year was better. The organisers have a 3 yr plan for the show, i i think last weekends show can only get better, M-Sport unveiling the WRC Puma, Drivers there as well, plus Guenther Steiner as well. BTCC was a let down, Tom Ingram was there on his stand, the Motorsport News atnd was supposed to have BTCC display, but only PMR displayed, the others pulled out at the last minute. If the suppliers, teams and manufactuers take a punt and show up then it will be great, not how it used to be, as times have changed
I was hoping to go so I could see my first real car livery I designed being shown off on the Hyundai coupe stand glad to see it in the video.
Glad we could cover the 2 Hyundai's for you. Which 1 did you do?
I did luca's car
Interesting, did it in the early 90's. Part of the deal was you had to be there for the whole show. No part timing.
Yeah that's definitely changed. We always knew the engineering part went but to have exhibitors leave midway is a poor show
Spending £40k for a stall just is not worth it, can you blame them? Shame how much it has gone downhill. Doesn't held thatyou had 7 badly coloured teslas infront of one of the entrances
Probably all ran out of 🔋👀
Should give Motorsport with attitude a go a show just just starting up but is good I take my car there good weekend it’s 3/4th of February at Staffordshire showground
The amount of companies that were only there on Thursday and Friday put me off tbh.
Yeah we were disappointed by this fact.
Preferred last years, even though that was a shadow of previous years.
👋
Live action arena was OK, rest of the show was lame. Close to zero famous drivers on the Sunday.
Clearly the professionals view this show as a waste of time now.