London Motorsports Show - 8-9 Dec 07

Posted: November 28, 2007 10:25 PM

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28/11/07
GIRL POWER COMES TO THE LONDON MOTORSPORT SHOW
This year's London Motorsport Show, held on Saturday and Sunday 8/9 December at ExCeL, will celebrate "girl power", as it features an area dedicated to encouraging women into a career in motorsport. A number of already successful ladies who compete in various racing disciplines will be on hand to offer advice and share their experiences with those who have an interest in motorsport, as well as displaying some of their racing cars.

Supported by GirlracerTM, drivers on the stand include British Touring Car Championship driver Fiona Leggate, who will be displaying her 300bhp MG ZS racer. Fiona is the highest-placed female in BTCC history and holds a world record for the most races entered in 24 hours. She will be joined by Annalese Thorp and her Formula Ford; Lotus P Pitstop driver Sarah Crowder; and Anna Walewska with the mighty Viper GT she will be racing in the 2008 season.

Also on hand will be former karter and now VW racer Karen Andrews; the 2006 Silverstone Rally School Lady Quest winner Becky Kirvan and her Polo; single-seater driver Nicki Welesby; and Mini Challenge driver Dawn Boyd with the car which saw her get third place in the Ladies Championship. Michaela Bevan will also be bringing her Mini to the show, while Cassey Watson will showcase her Ginetta.

For those with an interest in two wheels, Sam Burnam will be bringing her Honda RS 125cc motorbike, while Team Feisty Racing rider Kat Sanderson will be showcasing her 250cc Aprilla.

Forget the wheels, what about the water?
Leading offshore powerboat racer Sarah Donahue shares her experiences of a different form of motorsport. Sarah is a National and European Powerboat Champion and the longest-standing female offshore racing driver. She was also a stunt driver in one of the iconic James Bond movies.

Show organiser Philip Bunn said: "For a long time, motorsport was seen as a predominantly male-orientated sport, but now there are many ladies who are challenging the gents at their own game and putting up quite a fight. Having such great names involved in this area will hopefully encourage other women to get involved in the sport and create an even stronger female movement within the industry."

Also on offer is the Future of Motorsport Zone, which will have all you need to know about gaining qualifications, the apprenticeships and scholarships available for a career in motorsport, be it as a driver, pit crew or designer. For those ready to race but needing an MSA license, there is a dedicated area for drivers to have medical and physical examinations and to speak with MSA officials.

The show will also host the London Masters Rallycross competition, on an arena-based circuit which will see around 100 rallycross competitors battle it out over the two days. Reigning division champions will test their driving skills to limit on a purpose-built course created specifically for the competition.

With competitors reaching speeds of 80mph and aiming for a lap time of around 35 seconds, visitors will be on the edges of their seats watching the exhilarating live action. Competitors include British Rallycross Champion Ollie Donovan and Open Rallycross Champion "Mad" Mark Watson. Sponsors of the London Masters include Shannon Holdings and London Mazda.

The London Motorsport Show covers all disciplines of motorsport, from karting through to Formula One, and is a must for any motor racing enthusiast. Doors open each day from 10.00 and the show closes at 18.30 on Saturday (with the rallycross event finishing at around 20.00) and 17.00 on Sunday.

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25/11/07
Rally legend Per Eklund competes in London Masters
World rally legend Per Eklund is competing in tne inaugural 2007 London Masters Rallycross competition, held at ExCel on Saturday and Sunday 8/9 December. A World Rally Championship round winner and former European Rallycross Championship titleholder, Per has been competing in motorsport for around 40 years.

Swedish-born Per began his driving career in 1968 at the Swedish Rally, which he won in 1976. From 1970 to 1979, he was a Saab works driver, using a Saab 99 Turbo before progressing to a Saab 900 Turbo, which he raced in the British round of the 1997 World Championship. During the 70s and 80s, Per was a regular participant in the RAC Rally, competing in a mix of cars including a Toyota Celica, Saab 96 V4 and 99 EMS, and a Lancia Delta, before driving for British Leyland and Audi.

Per started driving in rallycross by winning the first-ever Swedish rallycross event at Hedemora, on 17 October 1971. He drove a Saab 96 V4, then a Saab 99 in its various sporting evolutions. He was always prominent, and became seventh overall and fourth overall respectively in the first and second European Championship series of 1973 and 1974. His greatest successes have been in more modern times, when he won the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 1999 and he remains one of the fastest competitors, finishing eighth in this year's competition.

Race and show organiser Philip Bunn said: "We are thrilled that Per will be competing at the London Masters. His involvement, along with drivers such as Ollie Donovan and 'Mad' Mark Watson, confirms that this is a major event for the motorsport calendar and as such is attracting major competitors. The final preparations are being made to the circuit, so that we can ensure that the surface is perfect for a high-performance motorsport competition."

The circuit is a minimum of 14.5 metres wide, with an approximate length of 650 metres. The lap time for a Division 1 car is expected to be between 30 and 35 seconds, with an average speed of approximately 80mph. The circuit has been constructed with fast-flowing corners, featuring two spectacular yumps. With Division 1, Super National, Procar 1600 and 2000, Revivals, Junior Rallycross and Minicross categories, visitors will be on the edge of their seats watching the exhilarating live action.

The London Masters is just one of the exciting features of the 2007 London Motorsport Show, which covers all disciplines of motorsport - from karting through to Formula One - and is a must for any motor racing enthusiast. Doors open each day from 10.00 and the show closes at 18.30 on Saturday (with the rallycross event finishing at around 20.00) and 15.30 on Sunday. For information and to book tickets, visit

London Motorsport Show

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03/07/07
Rallycross to 'ExCel' at London Motorsport Show
London is to host a new motorsport competition for rallycross cars, right in the heart of the Docklands. The 2007 London Masters, organised by The London Motorsport Show in conjunction with rallycross organisers PSM Motorsport Ltd, will be a special, arena-based event held on 8/9 December at ExCeL, situated on the Royal Victoria Dock. The competition will be just one of the exciting features of the 2007 London Motorsport Show.

Peter Stott, Director of PSM Motorsport Ltd, explains:
"Following last year's successful London Motorsport Show, we were approached by the organisers to host a rallycross spectacular at the venue. This is going to be a showcase motorsport event for rallycross cars and we will create an arena-based circuit purely for this event. The event will be similar to the stadium masters event for rallycross that was held in Nantes a couple of years ago, but on a larger layout. It will also have the same class structure as used in the Rallycross Open and Minicross Drivers Association Championships. The total number of cars will be restricted, so drivers will need to enter well in advance to be able to compete. Further information regarding the circuit (which will be made up of a combination of loose and asphalt sections), event format and regulations will be disclosed in the forthcoming weeks."

The London Motorsport Show was keen to add competitive motor racing into the show. Organiser Philip Bunn added: "I am really excited about the new dimension which the 2007 London Masters will bring to the London Motorsport Show, as it is aimed at teams and individuals who already compete in motorsport, as well as those who have an interest at grass roots level and want to know how they can start racing competitively. These people do not want to sit on the sidelines, but want to get in the cars and race, so it was important that we offered them the chance to compete in such an extraordinary location."

The first competitor to confirm an entry was MSA British Rallycross Championship points leader, 'Mad Mark' Watson. Mark enthused: "I have already confirmed my entry for the event. This will be the biggest event ever for rallycross, as something like this has never been done before and is unique for the venue. Racing in London has been the subject of discussion for a long time and now it has become a reality. For rallycross, there is no better event to showcase the sport. The potential scope of this event is phenomenal, not only for the complete show, but for the drivers as well."

The London Motorsport Show covers all disciplines of motorsport, from karting through to Formula One, and is a must for any motor racing enthusiast.

For information, visit

London Motorsport Show