The Motor Racing Spectator

Following the Winter show season it was time to settle down, wait for March to roll around and go and watch some Motor Racing. Alas this proved to be wishful thinking.... The news of a virus spreading in China initially, although worrying, seemed a far distant problem that wouldn't affect the rest of the world. The Chinese F1 Grand Prix and Formula E race in Sanya, China were cancelled and that seemed to be that.  Having painstakingly compiled a 2020 fixture list for UK racing, the season looked to be shaping up nicely, however it wasn't to be... The spread of the Corona virus became global and reached these shores in February culminating in the Prime Minister announcing a nationwide lockdown of all non-essential activity beginning on March 24th. The governing body, Motorsport UK, announced that all branches of the sport would have permits rescinded with immediate effect. Initially until the end of May it was quickly extended until the end of June. July would be the earliest th...

AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY 2020 The New Year means only one thing and a visit to the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham for the Autosport International show. With a free ticket thanks to being a member of the BRSCC, the show is a good way to start off the year and see the health (and wealth!) of the sport we all love. The show was being opened by Monegasque Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc on this particular Sunday and in anticipation of a large crowd I arrived early at the colossal complex that is the NEC. The entrance I chose contained neither a Ferrari F1 driver or a ribbon and a pair of scissors so my entrance was a fairly quiet and subdued one! Indeed I didn't get to see Monsieur Leclerc at any time whilst in the show alas.  As you can see from the photos below I did see Finnish 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen circulating amongst the crowd during my visit.  One of the highlights of the show was a fantastic exhibition to mark the 70th anniv...