Supercars on show

We have some of the best classic and modern race supercars on display at Autosport International

Motor Sport is arranging a display of racing supercars at Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham in January. First held at the NEC in 1991, The Racing Car Show is the world’s biggest motor sport show. The Motor Sport display, which will be in the historic racing section, will feature three historic sports cars and their 2009 counterparts in the form of contemporary GT3 cars, all from some of the greatest marques in sports car racing – Ferrari, Jaguar and Porsche.

The historic cars include a rare Ferrari 330LMB. This 1963 Le Mans car, one of only four built, was driven at La Sarthe by Lorenzo Bandini and Mike Parkes, who also raced it at Sebring. More recently the car won the 2008 RAC TT Celebration race at last September’s Goodwood Revival driven by Bobby Verdon-Roe and Peter Hardman, and run by Tim Samways Sporting and Historic Cars.

Joining the Ferrari, and also from 1963, is the ex-Roy Salvadori Lightweight E-type ‘86PJ’. This car is number four of the 12 special aluminium lightweights built by the Jaguar factory. It was bought by C T Atkins for Salvadori, who raced it though ’63, and it is still painted in Salvadori’s trademark metallic green. Among its achievements that year are the GT lap record at Silverstone and third place in the TT race at Goodwood. The car was sympathetically restored by Eagle Racing, is owned by Swiss collector Stefan Ziegler and is maintained by CKL Developments Ltd. It is considered to be the most original of the remaining Lightweights.

The final historic car, from 1972, is a Porsche 911 RSR. Fresh from restoration with marque expert Andy Prill, this RSR has spent most of its life in the US and has a great history, including taking part in three Sebring 12 Hours. It is kindly loaned by Gregor Fisken.

The modern cars represent the best of the international GT3 field. The Ferrari 430 GT3 is based on the 430 Challenge, and this CR Scuderia Racing car won the final round of the 2008 British GT championship driven by Luke Hines and Jeremy Metcalfe. The 911 GT3 is the latest production race car from Porsche, competing in international racing as well as Porsche Supercup series around the world. This is the British Carrera Cup car of Jota Sport, which is raced by Sam Hancock. The Jaguar XKR GT3 built and run by Apex Motorsport is supported by the Jaguar factory, and is one of three cars now racing in the UK.

Competition: Win tickets to Autosport International

Autosport International is open to the trade and press on January 8-9 and to the public on January 10-11 (Saturday and Sunday), and Motor Sport has three pairs of tickets for each of the two public days to give away. Adult tickets normally start at £29 per day, with children’s tickets £19. The Live Action Arena is extra. Tickets are available from www.autosport-international.com or call 0844 579 3188. However, for a chance to win a pair of tickets just answer the following question:

Q: In what year was Autosport International first held at the NEC?

Send your answer, with your name, address and contact details, to Motor Sport NEC Competition, 38 Chelsea Wharf, 15 Lots Road, London SW10 0QJ, or e-mail [email protected]. Winners will be chosen at random from among correct entries. Competition closes on December 22.