SUSIE WOLFF CONFIRMED TO APPEAR AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL

Susie Wolff has been confirmed to appear at Autosport International and will launch the details of a new initiative in conjunction with the Motor Sports Association (MSA).

Susie has been racing since the age of eight and went on to lead a successful career in DTM for seven years, before joining Williams Martini Racing (who will have a major presence at the show) in 2012. Her three years with the team were historical and in this time Wolff became the first female in 22 years to drive on a Grand Prix weekend.

In November 2015, Susie confirmed her retirement from professional motorsport.

Details of the initiative will be announced at stand 2840 at 11:30am on Thursday 14th January. Susie is also set to appear on the Autosport Stage on Saturday 16th.

Susie said: “When I decided to hang up my helmet I knew I wanted to give something back. I called Rob Jones, CEO of the MSA, who immediately shared my enthusiasm and passion. We very quickly put a great team together and are proud to launch our initiative at Autosport International.

“Our sport is performance based so gender is irrelevant. The opportunities are out there, we aim to inspire and drive female talent to make sure in the long term our sport is diverse.”

Ian France, Show Director, Autosport International, said: “We're really pleased that Susie will be announcing her new initiative at Autosport International in January. She is a real inspiration to women and we are excited to learn more about the campaign she has developed with the MSA.”

Susie Wolff joins an action-packed line up of cars and stars at Autosport International 2016. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.autosportinternational.com.

• Autosport International confirms numerous activities to provide maximum entertainment and help visitors get hands-on at the show
• Fans can experience the skill of professional drivers through displays in the Live Action Arena
• High-intensity passenger rides in the Adrenaline Zone
• Budding racers can also put their skills to the test in reality with Teesside Karting, or in a virtual capacity in the festival zone as well as at selected exhibitors within the main show
• Autosport International takes place January between 14-17, 2016* at the NEC, Birmingham
Europe's premier pre-season motorsport show, Autosport International, has plenty of interactive features and activities to give the whole family a hands-on experience.

The ever-popular 5000-seater Live Action Arena will deliver a number of exciting indoor races, drift displays, celebrity appearances, interviews and wheel-to-wheel racing. Three-time FIA World Champion, Petter Solberg, will give visitors the chance to witness a masterclass in precision car control and electrifying stunts in an exhilarating, fresh routine. Plus, Alistair Moffatt will be returning for an all-new world record attempt, further details to follow in the coming days.

Also appearing will be one of the most famous and loved stars of motorcycle racing, Guy Martin. On both Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th January, he will be wowing crowds on a Honda CRF450 Short Track bike, performing with a number of other riders in a show that's not to be missed.

Back by popular demand, Paul Smith, Shane Lynch and Shane O'Sullivan, otherwise known as Team Japspeed, will be thrilling crowds with a precision drifting display filled with slipping, sliding and tyre smoke. The Maxxis Tyres partnered team, which competes in various national and international drift events, will be performing in their respective cars – 1.5JZ Nissan Silvia S15, 2JZ Lexus IS200 and RB25 Nissan Silvia S15.

Sure to thrill visitors of all ages is the Jaguar C-X75 driven by Hinx in one of SPECTRE's iconic high-speed car chases. One of the specially prepared stunt cars will be demonstrating its power and handling in the Live Action Arena – a must see for any movie or car enthusiast.

Once visitors have seen high-performance cars in action, they can feel the power for themselves in the Adrenaline Zone. Ginetta Cars is giving attendees the chance to have a high-intensity passenger ride aboard one of the G40 Club Cars on the brand's custom-built drift course. Tickets for Ginetta Thrill Rides can be purchased for £15 per person at the Adrenaline Zone on the day.

For those keen to get behind the wheel and put their own driving skills to the test, Teesside Karting – home to the world's longest and fastest karting circuit – will also be in the Adrenaline Zone to provide an exciting racing experience. Tickets are available for a number of races and arrive-and-drive sessions across all four show days.

Completing the exhilarating line-up is the Autosolo area, which is located outside Hall 17, where visitors can experience the thrills of precision driving. Autosolo is one of the UK's easiest ways to get into motorsport and you can see what it's all about with a passenger ride in one of a range of cars competing for the fastest time.

Motorsport fans keen to see the next generation of drivers should look no further than Formula Kart Stars, a series which counts the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Chilton, Will Stevens, Susie Wolff and Paul Di Resta among its graduates.

A shortlist of twenty boys and girls between the age of eight and ten could get their big break and win a season entry to the FKS Cadet class including tyres, fuel and the use of a kart. FKS is the only karting series which is backed by Formula 1 Management. They will take part in a practical test on the purpose-built indoor track, with Teesside Karts choosing five finalists. These five will then face an interview with a panel of recognisable experts from the motorsport industry, with the winner chosen at the show.

For visitors who would rather test their driving skills in a virtual capacity, the festival zone is a must. A wide range of exciting interactive features allow fans to plug themselves in to the virtual world of motorsport and test their car handling on a range of simulators. State of the art racing activities such as the PlayStation Experience giving visitors the chance to sample the high-speed thrills of racing without the need to put on a helmet and race suit.

Ian France, Show Director, said: “A key element of Autosport International is the opportunity for the whole family to experience the high-powered cars and incredible driving skills showcased throughout the event for themselves. With a range of activities, from performance passenger rides to karting and simulators, we are able to offer fans of all ages and abilities the chance to get hands-on and experience the interactive show for themselves.”

Autosport International takes place from 14-17 January* at the NEC in Birmingham . Tickets for the event, which covers every aspect of motorsport from karting to Formula 1, are on sale now. Visit http://www.autosportinternational.com/public or call 0844 581 1420.

Photograph credit Stephan Glathe