Abarth launches the new 124 Spider hard top for use in Italian Rallying during 2017.

The brilliant new Abarth 124 rally will be one of the highlights of the Abarth stand at this week’s (12-15 January) Autosport International 2017 show.

The red and yellow liveried, hard-top rally car will make a welcome addition to the Abarth stand’s line-up, displaying its irresistible blend of great looks, lightweight chassis, advanced racing technology and 300hp twin cam turbo direct injection engine.

The Abarth 124 rally is a real sports car, set up and tuned directly by Abarth and sold race-ready to interested teams or individuals. This year, the Abarth 124 rally Trophy organised by Abarth will consist of seven rallies* – six on road and one on loose surface – all within the Italian Rally Championship.

The rear wheel drive 124 rally has a character and uniqueness of its own, and features:

• A lightweight set-up with a perfect weight distribution
• A powerful and reliable high performance engine
• Six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shift
• Mechanical self-locking differential
• Quick turn in with no understeer
• Superb traction in every condition
• Ease of management for teams, with competitive running costs

Alongside the 124 rally, Abarth’s show stand (Hall 20, Stand 2660) will also reveal the new Abarth 595 Elaboration kits: an Abarth 595 145hp will feature, fitted with a Kit Elaborazione 160hp.

This kit is a new performance upgrade pack which allows customers to boost the power of their existing 145hp Abarth 595 up to 160hp through an ECU upgrade. The pack also contains a series of uprated components to further enhance the car’s performance, including:

• BMC air filter
• 4 x Koni shock absorbers
• 4 x Red Eibach lowered springs
• Front Ferodo HP 1000/1 brake pads
• Exterior Abarth Elaborazione badging

Additional Abarth kits and accessories will also be shown, including an upgrade pack for the 595 Turismo 165hp.The Kit Elaborazione 180hp boosts power from 165hp to 180hp and in addition to the ECU upgrade, includes the following uprated components:

• 2 x front Koni shock absorbers
• 2 x front floating drilled Brembo brake discs with calipers
• Front Ferodo HP 1000/1 brake pads
• Exterior Abarth Elaborazione badging

Meanwhile, outside Autosport International’s main exhibition hall, visitors will have the opportunity to appreciate the dynamic abilities of the Abarth 595 first hand in the Abarth Autotest.

“Abarth and Autosport International are a perfect match,” says Gerry Southerington, brand manager, Abarth UK. ”Autosport International is the ideal venue to launch our new Elaboration kits and we are really pleased to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an Abarth 595 in our Autotest”

Abarth prices start at £15,090 OTR for the 595 1.4 TJet 145hp Manual rising to £22,290 OTR for the 1.4 TJet 595C Competizione 180hp Manual.

2017 calendar of Abarth 124 rally Trophy Events:

19 March	40th Rally del Ciocco
2 April	64th Rallye Sanremo
23 April	101st Targa Florio
14 May	24th Rally Adriatico
4 June	50th Rally del Salento
17 September	Rally di Roma Capitale
15 October	35th Rally Due Valli

Autosport International to showcase 5 decades of Rallycross at the 2017 Live Action Arena.

• Showcase of five decades of Rallycross set to be a highlight in the 2017 Live Action Arena
• A host of Rallycross drivers and racers from throughout the sport’s history to attend
• Renowned stunt driver Terry Grant to thrill crowds with combined performance with Lee Bowers
• BTCC icons to go head-to-head in an exhilarating Time Trial
• Championship-winning Vantage GTE to be driven by Aston Martin Racing driver Darren Turner
• For tickets and further information about Autosport International, which runs from 12^th to 15^th January*, please visit www.autosportinternational.com   

The Live Action Arena at Autosport International is once again set to thrill, with a varied line up of leading motorsport drivers and racers.

Set to be a key highlight of the popular show feature is a celebration of 50 years of Rallycross. 

The segment will include 10 classic racers, such as the Porsche 911R which won the first ever Rallycross race at Lydden Circuit in 1967 and a selection of Group B icons such as the Audi Quattro.

At the wheel of the Porsche 911R will be Vic Elford, the man who took it to victory five decades ago. He will be joined in the arena by a roster of Rallycross icons including John Taylor, the first ever winner of the European Rallycross Championship and the man known as Mr Rallycross, Martin Schanche. Former competitor and owner of Team Peugeot Hansen Motorsport, Kenneth Hansen, will also be in attendance. The Swedish driver holds multiple Rallycross records and has won an FIA European Championships for Rallycross Drivers title 14 times.

Present day Rallycross will also be represented, with 2016 British Rallycross Champion, Dan Rook, winner of the 2016 British Rallycross Grand Prix, Liam Doran, and FIA World Rallycross Championship supercar competitor Andres Bakkerud, all confirmed.

Crowds of all ages will witness further thrilling action as BTCC drivers, including Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal, Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan, go head-to-head in what is sure to be a highly competitive time trial.

Further motorsport action will come from the world of WEC. Aston Martin Racing driver Darren Turner will be taking to the Live Action Arena in the Vantage GTE #95, which won the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Pro Teams.

Renowned stunt driver Terry Grant will be returning to the Live Action Arena to perform a selection of nail-biting tricks, this time joined by professional free-style stunt rider Lee Bowers. The duo will be hoping to not only keep the audience on the edge of their seats but also thrill popular vlogger, Shmee, who will be joining Terry as he performs the exciting stunts.

Always a crowd-favourite in the arena, more high-speed action will come from Autograss and BriSCA, who will be completing a series of races, in addition to a drifting demonstration.

All of these segments will be hosted by Sky F1 Lead Commentator, David Croft, alongside WTCC TV presenter, Alexandra Legouix.

Kate Woodley, Autosport International show manager, said: “We have some great motorsport content already confirmed for the Live Action Arena in January.

“With so many different aspects of motorsport represented, from grassroots to WEC, in addition to a show-stopping finale which will be kept as a surprise for visitors, we are sure there will be something for everyone.”

All the remaining Lotus 49 F1 cars will get together at the Autosport International event.

• Autosport International to host display featuring all seven remaining Lotus type 49 cars thanks to their owners from around the world
• Celebrations at Autosport International to mark 50 years since this pioneering F1 car first raced
• To this day, the Lotus 49 realised the greatest step in Grand Prix performance ever
• The Lotus type 49 was designed in conjunction with the Ford DFV engine
• Autosport International is the only place to see this unrivalled collection of iconic Lotus 49s in one place
• From 1967 to 1970 they were raced by Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jo Siffert, Jackie Oliver, Mario Andretti, Jochen Rindt, Richard Attwood, John Miles and Emerson Fittipaldi
• To get your tickets to the show, visit www.autosportinternational.com today

A truly incredible collection of Formula 1 heritage is set to go on display for the first time at Autosport International in January. Classic Team Lotus have confirmed all seven remaining Lotus type 49 racing cars will be present at Europe’s foremost motorsport show between 12-15* January.

The late Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe designed the Lotus 49 with a Ford Cosworth DFV (Double Four Valve) engine at its heart. 

The show at the NEC in January 2017 marks 50 years since this pioneering F1 car first raced – and won – with the legendary Jim Clark behind the wheel at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

The type 49, in combination with the DFV engine, realised one of the greatest leaps in F1 performance to date. According to the Pomeroy Index, the type 49 still represents the greatest ever step in Grand Prix performance. In 1967 the Lotus increased the previous year’s speed by 7.7 per cent - a feat yet to be surpassed.

This acceleration in performance was largely thanks to the advanced chassis configuration, which saw the front of the engine bolted to the monocoque and the suspension and gearbox attached to the rear of the powerplant. Since the type 49, virtually all Formula 1 cars have been designed in this way.

Between 1967 and 1970, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jo Siffert, Jackie Oliver, Mario Andretti, Jochen Rindt, Richard Attwood, John Miles and Emerson Fittipaldi raced the Lotus type 49. The story of the Lotus type 49 was captured in 1967 by the Ford film documentary 9 Days in Summer.

This collection of F1 cars on the Classic Team Lotus stand in Hall 20 (Stand 2270) represents the very first time that all seven remaining race machines will be together under one roof. The list of display cars are as follows:

R2/R11 (26 Grands Prix)

This is the car Jim Clark took to victory at its race debut at Zandvoort 1967, in addition to further wins at Silverstone and Watkins Glen. 

It is also the same car he drove at Monza, in what has been considered the Scotsman's greatest performance, where he led the race until lap 12, picked up a puncture and lost an entire lap. Clark then spent the next 48 laps recovering through the field, taking the lead on lap 60 before succumbing to a faulty fuel pump on the final lap dropping him to third place.  

Clark’s 1968 Tasman Championship-winning car was loaned to Rob Walker – in the wake of the Lotus R4 destruction – for Jo Siffert, before updating to the B-spec for Jackie Oliver. 

The car was re-identified as R11 and sold to Pete Lovely (raced by Mario Andretti in South Africa, before delivery) who raced it in six Grands Prix as a privateer. Restored in 2010 to 1967 specification. The R11 is still regularly raced by American owner Chris MacAllister still regularly races the R11.

R3 (8 Grands Prix)

The R3 is the car Graham Hill raced for the second half of the 1967 season but victory eluded him. The R3 was later sold to John Love for racing in South Africa. It has since been restored to 1967 specification by Doug Nye and others, before its acquisition by the Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

R5/R10 (22 Grands Prix)

The R5 car won its first F1 race at Monaco 1968 with Graham Hill at the wheel. Hill raced the R5 at six Grands Prix before Mario Andretti put it on pole at Watkins Glen, the debut race for the future champion. The car was later re-identified as the R10 for Rindt in the 1969 Tasman Series. 

The R10 was the machine that helped Graham Hill win the Monaco GP again in 1969, a truly remarkable and unique double. The R10 saw another future world champion make their debut, as Emerson Fittipaldi raced in his first three F1 races in the Lotus during the 1970 season.

R6 (20 Grands Prix)

The R6 was new for Jackie Oliver in 1968, who raced it twice before a massive accident in practice for the French GP.  

The car was repaired in time for Graham Hill at Monza. The Brit then raced it to win the 1968 World Championship in Mexico.  In 1969 the R6 raced in eight Grands Prix for Jochen Rindt, including the Germans first F1 victory at Watkins Glen. 

The car raced in four more races during the 1970 season, including Rindt’s dramatic last lap Monaco victory. It was then sold by Team Lotus in 1977. The car is now in the collection of Richard Mille.

R7 (24 Grands Prix)

The R7 was sold new to Rob Walker for Jo Siffert in 1968, who won the British GP on the car's first outing. It was the last privateer GP win. 

The R7 was then raced by Siffert in 1969 and then by Graham Hill – for Rob Walker – in 1970. In 1999, Geoff Farmer acquired the R7 from the Walker Family and has raced it occasionally, including a victory at the Goodwood Revival.

R8 (4 Grands Prix)

New for 1969 the R8 was Graham Hill’s Tasman Championship car. It was then raced by Richard Attwood at Monaco and Graham Hill for the British GP. The R8 was then sold to Jo Bonnier who, after taking it to two Grands Prix, sold it on to Dave Charlton for racing in South Africa. 

The car was then acquired by Australian collector, the late Hon. John Dawson-Damer, who conducted a painstaking restoration. The car is now owned by renowned F1 designer Adrian Newey, who restored it to the 1969 specification then race prepped her for racing at the 2016 Monaco Historique. 

R12

Constructed by Team Lotus for the Ford Motor Company, for use as an exhibition car. The first showing of the R12 was at the Racing Car Show, Olympia in January 1969. It was later donated to Donington Collection and has recently been commissioned as a runner. It is now in the collection of Richard Mille.

Make sure you visit the Classic Team Lotus Stand to see this incredible display in Hall 20, Stand 2270.

No Fewer than five world champions will be in attendance at upcoming Autosport International Event.

• Autosport International will welcome five incredible motorsport world champions this January, including Damon Hill OBE and Petter Solberg
• Motorbike racing world champions Phil Read and Wayne Gardner will be meeting fans and signing autographs
• 2013 FIA World Endurance Champion, Allan McNish adds to stellar line-up of world title winners
• Damon Hill OBE will be reunited with the Williams FW18 – his 1996 Drivers’ Championship-winning car – as part of an exclusive Williams Martini Racing feature
• Solberg and McNish will be speaking on the Autosport Stage and performing tyre-smoking stunts in the Live Action Arena
• Autosport International – January 14-17, 2016*, Birmingham NEC

Europe’s largest motorsport show, Autosport International, will next year welcome five motor racing world champions, including Formula 1 legend Damon Hill OBE, 2013 FIA World Endurance Champion Allan McNish and former WRC and current FIA World Rallycross champion, Petter Solberg.

From the world of motorcycle racing, Phil Read – the first man to win 125cc, 250cc and 500cc world championships – and 1987 500cc world champion, Wayne Gardner, will be signing autographs and reliving some of their career highlights as part of the stunning historic display called ‘When We Were Kings’ (stand 2280 in Hall 20).

Visitors to Europe’s premier pre-season motorsport show will have the unique opportunity to see Damon Hill OBE reunited with the iconic Williams FW18 – his 1996 Drivers’ Championship-winning F1 car. The FW18 is appearing as part of an exclusive Williams Martini Racing feature, which will see the team’s motorhome constructed next to the Autosport Stage – the first time it’s been built away from a race circuit.

Petter Solberg, two-time World Rallycross champion and former WRC Champion, will be taking to the Live Action Arena to show off his incredible driving skills on the UK’s largest indoor track. Away from the circuit, Solberg will be giving live interviews on the Autosport Stage, entertaining visitors with his tales of danger and glory. 

Allan McNish is no stranger to the show, the 2013 FIA WEC Champion will be captivating the legions of fans at the Autosport Stage with many behind-the-scenes stories from his time in Formula 1 and of course his experiences of winning the 24 hours of Le Mans three times.

Representing the bikers at Autosport International will be Phil Read – the first man to win 125cc, 250cc and 500cc world championships – who will be on-hand alongside some of the bikes he rode throughout his career. Read will be signing copies of his autobiography ‘Rebel Read’ and meeting fans over the course of the weekend.  Australian rider Wayne Gardner, who was 500cc world champion in 1987, will also be atAutosport International, appearing on the Central Stage throughout the show.

Ian France, Show Director, said: “To have five world champions at Autosport International is a real privilege for us and a real treat for visitors. Nowhere else can you get access to such a huge number of world-class drivers and riders – you’re guaranteed to see some amazing stunts from Petter Solberg, hear some incredible insight from Damon Hill and Allan McNish and marvel at the achievements of Wayne Gardner and Phil Read.

“Couple these amazing appearances with the exclusive Williams feature – which will see some of the team’s most famous Formula 1 cars lined up in front of the towering motorhome – and I’ve no doubt that the 2016 edition of Autosport International is going to be the best yet.”

Autosport International takes place from 14-17 January* at the NEC in Birmingham . Tickets for the event, which covers every aspect of motorsport from karting to Formula 1, are on sale now. 

One of the best WRC cars ever, the Metro 6R4 in pristine condition, is going under the hammer at Coys.

• Iconic slice of rallying history is going up for sale at the Coys auction at Autosport International
• Rothmans liveried MG Metro 6R4 in pristine condition having covered just 3100 miles
• Over 60 classic and historic road and race cars going under the hammer
• Other notable motorsport cars including ex works Vauxhall Chevette and an Indianapolis-winning 996 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
• Sale takes place at 14:00 on Saturday 16 January on stand 2780 in Hall 20
• Autosport International runs from 14-17 January, 2016* at the NEC in Birmingham

A pristine slice of Group B rallying history is going up for sale at the Coys auction at Autosport International, in the form of a show-condition MG Metro 6R4.

The Metro 6R4 is headlining a star-cast of over 60 rare and collectable road and race cars going under the hammer live at Autosport International. This particular example is one of the lowest mileage examples of its kind, having covered just 3,100 miles since it was built in 1985. Its pristine condition is down to the fact that, unusually, it has never been raced or rallied, as it was the original Rothmans show car.

Instead, it was mainly used as a display car at shows, although it was used for the occasional demonstration. As a result, it is a perfect, almost box fresh example of the 6R4.

The Metro 6R4 gained revered status in the mid 1980s, when it was developed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering to compete in the short-lived and fantastically fast Group B rally class.

It came complete with a 3.0-litre, V6 engine that was naturally aspirated, unlike many of its turbocharged rivals. It was only available for a couple of years, until Austin Rover pulled out of motorsport in 1987 after the scrapping of the Group B class.

Also going up for sale is a 996 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, complete with proven racing pedigree. The 2002 car was first built for the Porsche Supercup Challenge, and won at Silverstone and Indianapolis in its debut season, and was driven by Henzler Wolf to finish fourth in the championship. It has been dry stored by the present owner, who has owned it for the past three years, and is race ready, coming complete with a spare set of wheels.

A concours competition winning 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT is also offered for sale, having been in the same family for the past 36 years since 1979. Because of this, it comes with a full history file dating back to the point that the current vendor’s father bought the car. This highly collectible car has an estimate of £230,000 to £265,000.

Another striking car up for sale is a 1958 Aston DB2/4 Mark III, which has only had two owners in the past 29 years, and has been owned by the vendor for the last 15 years.

Only 551 DB Mark IIIs were built, and all of those that survive are highly popular to this day. This example has been meticulously maintained by the current owner, and has been to noted Feltham restorers, Four Ashes, for a full rear suspension rebuild under his custodianship. It is estimated to reach between £130,000 and £150,000.

Other cars going up for auction include an ex-works 1982 Vauxhall Chevette HSR DTV that was previously driven by Russell Brookes. The Chevette retired from rallying in 1989, and was fully restored in 1999. A 1977 Ex-Works Group 4 Ford Escort MK 2 is also being auctioned, with a prestigious list of former drivers that includes the likes of Ari Vatanen.

All these cars and more will go up for auction at 14:00 on Saturday 16 January at Autosport International and is accessible to VIP ticket holders and those who have purchased the auction catalogue. The show runs from 14-17 January*, at the NEC in Birmingham.