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Autosport International, 2007

Following our successful competition last year UpdateF1 are pleased to announce that we will once again be giving away tickets to the Autosport International show, to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, in January 2007. The competition will run here, on UpdateF1, during November and December.

Below is an introduction to what you can expect at the show, and keep a look out for further information.

If you are one of the 200,000 plus enthusiasts who makes the annual pilgrimage to witness the unforgettable sights and sounds of the 24 hours of Le Mans, then you need to be at the Autosport International exhibition, NEC, Birmingham, on 13 and 14 January 2007. One of the most significant displays of Le Mans cars ever assembled will be reunited with legendary drivers, to produce a feature of the show that simply can’t be missed.

Heading the all-star line-up of cars will be the only works Le Mans winning Jaguar in existence, the car being a lightweight C-type driven to victory by Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt in 1953. This marked the first time that a car averaged over 100mph, with the two drivers covering 2540.58miles at 105.85mph.

The car is being loaned by Hamilton’s son, Adrian, who took over the Hampshire-based Duncan Hamilton & Co, famous for placing some of the world’s finest and rarest historic motor cars among collectors and investors. Commenting on the car, Adrian Hamilton said: “1953 was a milestone not only for the average speed at Le Mans, but it was the first time the race was won by a car with disc brakes. A bird hit the car and shattered the aeroscreen breaking my father’s nose, but he still went on to take the chequered flag. It was a great year for Jaguar as Stirling Moss and Peter Walker finished second, and Ian Stewart and Peter Whitehead brought their Jaguar home in fourth.”

In 1988, Jaguar went to Le Mans in strength, entering five XJR-9 cars, all powered by the Jaguar V12 engine producing 750bhp from a capacity of 7.0 litres. The winning Silk Cut Jaguar, driven by Britons Andy Wallace and Johnny Dumfries and Dutchman Jan Lammers, will be on display courtesy of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. This Jaguar won at an average speed of 137.72mph covering a distance of 3313.15miles.

2005 was the final season for the most successful Le Mans Prototype of all time, the Audi R8, which continued to be the sportscar to beat, taking its fifth Le Mans victory. Audi will be bringing the 2005 third-placed sister car driven by Allan McNish, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, who lost their chance to fight for overall victory due to a puncture which necessitated a change of the front right suspension.

These are just three of the dazzling array of cars which will represent Le Mans through the ages. If the passion for motorsport is in your veins, book your tickets on-line at www.autosport-international.com or phone the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244.

Tickets are £26.00 per adult including entry to the 45-minute adrenaline-pumping Live Action Arena. Children’s (5 – 15) tickets are £18.50 with the elite Paddock Pass available for £32.00. The Paddock Pass gives exclusive access to the Driver Signing Area; access to the Live Action Arena Paddock back stage; priority seating and fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena, and a show guide lanyard including pictures of celebrities and a detailed floor plan of the show. There are a limited number of Paddock passes available, so book early to avoid disappointment.

The Le Mans Feature, in association with BEN and Motor Sport magazine, will fill 990m² of Hall 20 recreating many of the famous landmarks of this great circuit.

**LOOK OUT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL ON UPDATEF1 DURNING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER!**

Written: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 19:12:03