Autosport International 2019 – An event for all car fans.

Autosport International and Performance and Tuning Car Show 2019 – An event for all car fans.

After hearing many great things about last year's Autosport International, it seemed silly not to go in 2019. Normally, my time around cars is mostly spent with ones that are 'super' and 'hyper' and so it was refreshing to step back and see some of the other sections of the automotive world. There really was something for everyone to see at the 2019 show.

For racing fans, lots of the major series were present. As with previous shows, all 10 Formula 1 teams brought along their previous season's car including Hamilton's series winning Mercedes. The World Rally Championship launched their new 2019 season liveries at the event which, to me, all look incredible. Also, the BTCC had a selection of their cars from the upcoming season on show as well as a range of their drivers and previous champions on the Autosport Stage talking.

The Silverstone Auctions January Sale was certainly a highlight for me with plenty of special vehicles under the hammer. Whilst the 911 Carrera RS, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and a Volkswagen XL1 unfortunately did not sell, 60% of what was up for auction sold including a Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 for £200,250, a Mercedes McLaren SLR for £196,875 and a BMW Z4 GT3 (a genuine racecar) for £118,125

With the rise of Esports in recent years, it was interesting to see the huge amount of racing simulators at Autosport to try out. The Le Mans Esports series were at the show searching for potential drivers to qualify for their Grand Final at Le Mans and the chance to take a share of the $100,000 prize pot.

Some honourable mentions from Autosport including the reimagined Porsche 935 'Moby Dick' in its first public European show, the new one-make Series Elite where over 50's drive Jaguar Project 8s and a variety of LMP1 cars dotted around from the likes of Ligier and Ginetta.

However, the day at the NEC also included the Performance and Tuning Car Show where a whole host of modified and performance cars were in attendance.

If, like me, you are a performance car nut, then this show was for you. The newly formed Motorious brought a ultra rare McLaren P1 which I had never seen before and which naturally caused quite a stir. The latest Super Series car, the McLaren Senna was also at the NEC. The Cannonball Rally brought a huge gathering of cars including the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar, their Porsche 911 GT3 pace car and a Ferrari 458 Liberty Walk.

Talking of Liberty Walk, they were in full force at PATCS with their newly released BMW i8 body kit and a stunning Datsun Fairlady Z. More modified specialists were at the show – The Urban and Yiannimize collaboration Nero were showcasing their body kits on Yianni's personal turquoise Lamborghini Aventador S and Urus. Kream Developments brought along a few of their projects including a heavily modified Nissan GT-R and the Project Kream Porsche Cayman.

If a bit of celebrity spotting is your thing, then plenty were around to see. A huge list of drivers were at the event including, but not limited to: F1 drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, ex F1 driver Karun Chandhok, BTCC champions Colin Turkington, Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal as well as British F3 driver Billy Monger. A variety of Internet personalities were also present including Yianni from Yiannimize, Tim Burton AKA Shmee150 and Miss Emma Walsh.

Finally, the Live Action Arena promised to thrill with its stunts and it certainly did not disappoint. Terry Grant and his team amazed the crowd with two wheel action, drifting, donuts and more, whilst Billy Monger drove around in his Carlin F3 car and Mark Higgins sped across the arena in his series winning Peugout 208 rally car. There was also a homage to The Italian Job for Mini's 60th birthday and many indoor races took place from the likes of Brisca F1 and the Suzuki Swift Rallycross Championship. It was certainly a spectacle!

I can see why I was so jealous of missing out on last year's Autosport International last year. The 2019 show was a perfect mix of all walks of the automotive world and it's certainly a show that I am going to be keeping free in my diary next day and one that I recommend you do too.

Be sure to follow my Instagram @carobsessed123 to see some more pictures that I have taken at the show as well as whatever automotive adventures I get up to next.

Reporting by Cavan Collins @carobsessed123