Autosport Show - 12-15 Jan 12

Outstanding Autosport International for Race2Recovery

Posted: January 17, 2012 11:08 AM

The Race2Recovery team, comprised of injured British servicemen aiming to be the first team with seriously disabled members to compete in the Dakar Rally in 2013 for charity, enjoyed what can only be described as an outstanding start to 2012, at the traditional season-opening show, Autosport International. The team had its vehicles on display at several key locations, formed an integral part of the live action arena, raised significant funds towards its charity and was granted honorary membership of the Motorsport Industry Association in the space of just four days.

The Autosport show is renowned as the most important motorsport show in the world and is the place for teams, drivers and manufacturers to unveil their plans, campaigns and products to the world's motorsport community. And the Race2Recovery team was delighted to be invited to take part in a variety of roles for the full four days.

Its familiar Land Rover Freelander, which it used in the 2011 British Cross Country Championship was on display on the Marches 4x4/BCCC stand while the Orange Plant Qt Wildcat, used in the team's final competitive outing of 2011, was on the Qt Services stand, forming part of the BCCC presence.

The team also had another Wildcat on display on the stand for recently announced partner Alcon Components, in the Engineering section of the show. Not only was the vehicle on display but also the Race2Recovery team was present on the stand, immediately following their interview on the Autosport Stage in front of gathered fans and media.

But it was the Live Action Arena that got the pulses racing the most. David Marsh from Qt and R2R's Tom Neathway were paired in one of the team's Wildcats in the arena, with Tony Harris commentating on the action, as they demonstrated the Wildcat's incredible pace and presence. The show organisers had very kindly allowed the team to collect donations at the exit from the live action arena and once again, the public did them proud; the exact total is yet to be confirmed but it is certainly in excess of £15,000 which will go, via the Race2Recovery Foundation charity, directly to support injured servicemen and women and their families.

As expected, the show also resulted in a huge amount of corporate interest, with numerous offers of support and assistance from the motorsport community. But perhaps the most significant was from the Motorsport Industry Association, or MIA, which granted Race2Recovery honorary membership. Several team members attended the gala dinner partway through the show, as guests of Alcon and were delighted to be welcomed to the MIA as members.

Commenting, R2R's Captain Tony Harris said; "We thought that the Autosport show would be a good way to start in pole for 2012 but I don't think any of us had the slightest idea of the reaction we would get.

"In the live action arena, the cheers when Dave and Tom came in were incredible and the public were fantastic - once again they really dug deep and thanks to them, we raised an incredible amount of money for the Race2Recovery Foundation and hence, for our partner charities.

"The motorsport community was also incredibly supportive of our campaign - we were literally inundated with offers of support, for product, logistics, training and advocacy and it'll be a full time job following up on all of that!

"On behalf of the whole team, I have to say a huge thank you to Alcon for inviting us to join them at the gala dinner and as a result, being welcomed to the MIA as honorary members. This opens up a whole new sphere of opportunity which will assist us enormously as we target next year's Dakar Rally."

Managing Director of Alcon and Chairman of the MIA, Alistair Ferguson, said;
"I am delighted that Alcon has been able to assist the Race2Recovery team in this way. It was an absolute pleasure, as well as quite humbling, to meet the Race2Recovery team members and join the banter with a bunch of guys who clearly are not allowing their disabilities to dampen their ambition and zest for life. We at Alcon are very proud to be involved with such a worthwhile undertaking."

The team was also honoured at the Celebrity Karting Challenge on the Thursday evening, organised by Racing4Charity and for the first time, sponsored by sports car manufacturer Ginetta. The race was based on a 90minute endurance format, with each team comprising several celebs and members of the public, with the proceeds going directly to the Race2Recovery Foundation.

On the night, top names included racer David Brabham, former WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, Boyzone star and drifter Shane Lynch, RaceDrivers Inc MD, Baz Scott and Racing4Charity's Bill Williams. The Race2Recovery team was made up of Alexander Sims, patron Ben Collins, Zoe Wenham, Abbie Eaton, Gareth Patterson and Sean Whatley. The team eventually finished in 11th place, out of 21 starters, completing 170 laps against the winners' 176.

Summarising, Harris said;
"For us, it was fantastic to be working with such an amazing racing car manufacturer. For them to be supporting us throughout this competition is just mind blowing. As always, we are genuinely so very grateful for the support we have received. We could not have got to where we are today without the support of the public. It never fails to amaze me how generous people have been."

M-Sport to attend Autosport with Ford Fiesta R1

Posted: January 12, 2012 2:53 PM

In association with the MSA British Rally Championship (BRC), M-Sport have announced that the Ford Fiesta R1, will be present at the Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th January.

Promoting the new-look British Junior Rally Championship, the Fiesta SportTrophy (FST) UK co-ordinator, Dave Pearce, will be on hand alongside BRC Manager, Mark Taylor, in Hall Number 6, Stand 6840.

Limited to R1 homologated models such as M-Sport’s latest hybrid, the Ford Fiesta R1, the new junior category aims to provide opportunities for those youngsters making their initial steps onto the international rallying scene.

Building on the success of the Ford Fiesta R2, the Fiesta R1 conversion kit offers all the same personal safety and underbody protection as its R2 counterpart, but with standard engine and transmission components to comply with international R1 regulations.

Running alongside the BRC and open to Fiesta R1 competition, the FST Championship provides the perfect platform for those young drivers looking to break onto the international stage. In addition to all on-event prize monies, the 2012 FST Champion will also secure a test in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC with expert tuition from an official WRC driver.

Running parallel to the BRC’s official support series, the BRC Challenge, the FSC is also open to R1 competitors with the series Champion receiving a test in a Ford Fiesta S2000.

BRC at Autosport International Show

Posted: January 11, 2012 4:31 PM

The MSA British Rally Championship has secured a place at this year’s Autosport International Show, which takes places at the NEC in Birmingham from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th January. The last-minute decision to attend the show was made when a suitable display area suddenly became available.

BRC organisers have opted to specifically promote the new-look British Junior Rally Championship, which this year provides opportunities for under 23 year-old drivers. The junior category is aimed at those starting out in international rallying and is limited to R1 homologated machinery, which will be represented by Renault’s Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK and by M-Sport’s brand-new R1 Fiesta – which is eligible for the Fiesta SportTrophy. Examples of both these cars will be on display at the show.

BRC manager Mark Taylor will be on hand to answer questions about the international championship, as well as its support series’ the BRC Challenge and the new Production BRC. To promote their respective one-make series’, FST Co-ordinator Dave Pearce and Twingo Renaultsport Trophy UK manager Simon Moss will also be in attendance.

The MSA British Rally Championship display is located in hall number 6, on stand 6840. For tickets and further information visit www.autosportinternational.com

Race2Recovery at Autosport International 2012

Posted: January 5, 2012 4:55 PM

Following on from its competition success in 2011, the Race2Recovery team will be starting 2012 with a bang next week at the most important motorsport event on the calendar - Autosport International.

Regarded as the show of the year for motorsport teams, drivers, suppliers and fans alike, Autosport is the perfect venue for the Race2Recovery team to meet fans and supporters while displaying its vehicles, including the Qt Services Wildcats it will use on its campaign on the fearsome Dakar Rally in 2013.

In true Race2Recovery style, the team won't just be displaying its vehicles statically; it will also be taking the Wildcat out into the Live Action Arena, demonstrating just what it's capable of as it prepares for its 2013 Dakar Rally outing. With the promise of noise, drama and excitement, Race2Recovery is sure to be one of 2012's Live Action highlights.

Race2Recovery personnel will also be on hand at the end of the Live Action events to collect donations for the Race2Recovery Foundation, the registered charity that will ensure every penny raised goes directly to its partner charities.

The team will also be giving fans and supporters a chance to get up close to the cars thanks to a selection of displays across several stands within the show's halls. One Wildcat will be displayed on the stand of new partner, Alcon, in the show's Engineering section during Thursday and Friday with R2R team members appearing on the Alcon stand between 12-13:00 on Friday.

With a background steeped in motorsport pedigree including everything from WRC through to F1, Alcon are a great new partner to the Race2Recovery team. The Marches 4x4/British Cross Country Championship will play host to the Race2Recovery Freelander while the Wildcat carrying the team's livery will be present on the Qt Services stand, alongside the BCCC stand.

Looking ahead to the event, Captain Tony Harris said;
"We're really looking forward to Autosport International. We've already received incredible support and to be part of an event like this is fantastic. It's a really important show and to be invited to be part of the Live Action Arena takes it to the next level. We're looking forward to giving people a show to talk about. It's going to be great for generating support from a community we've been welcomed into so quickly."

Autosport International takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 12-15 January.

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