By Walter Ainsworth - Autosport International, Europe’s largest motorsport trade show, will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, UK, on 14-17 January 2010. Autosport International is firmly established as an essential part of the calendar for motorsport professionals, who want to be the first in-the-know for the forthcoming season.

Almost 80,000 visitors from 49 countries attended in 2009, including over 26,000 trade buyers, demonstrating the show’s international appeal and significant representation in the global motor racing industry. Furthermore, despite the economic climate, over $700 million worth of business was generated at the show.

Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association, described the International Business Lounge as “outrageously busy,” highlighting that Autosport International is the perfect venue to develop contacts and demonstrate products in a variety of specialised areas including Autosport Engineering and Manufacturing Technology. For this reason, the show is regarded by many industry figureheads as motorsport’s primary technology show.

Ian France, Show Director for Haymarket Exhibitions, is delighted to be celebrating the show’s anniversary: “Autosport International has played a pivotal role in the motorsport industry for many years. During the last two decades, the show has kicked-off the season and provided a perfect networking platform for businesses in the sector. With the UK at the forefront of the motorsport industry, Autosport International provides the ideal setting not only for the development of national relations, but also to establish contacts worldwide.

“The current economic climate is undoubtedly tough, yet there was a highly-positive atmosphere at last year’s show and many exhibitors are already queuing up to be part of the 2010 event.”

Marking the beginning of the 2010 season, Autosport International will once again host a wide range of the industry’s leading companies, exhibiting the latest innovations. Exhibitors already confirmed for the 2010 show include Willans, the world’s foremost harness manufacturer and supplier to F1 team Brawn GP, performance suspension manufacturer Eibach Springs, transmission specialists Xtrac, and high-performance coatings supplier Zircotec.