In all honesty the feature displays this year didn’t live up to what one has come to expect from previous
years, when virtually every F1 team was represented. This year the only current teams represented were
Alpine, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Williams. However, it was nice to see an original BRM P15 F1 car as
part of the display, even if one couldn’t hear the scream of its amazing V16 engine. The other feature
display was a celebration of Ford’s 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966, with a trio of GT40s wearing the
liveries of the podium finishing cars on display, albeit that they were replicas!
Fortunately the trade and motor club stand displays provided visitors with a broad selection of interesting
machinery. Amongst them was the hydrogen powered Forze VIII sports racing prototype, whilst Cosworth,
best known for their racing internal combustion engines, hosted the show’s EV Showcase stand, where
there were electric powered racing cars, together with the Ariel Hipercar. This is billed as the ultimate
electric driving machine, and will be available in either two or four wheel drive form, with the option of a
Catalytic Generator to extend mileage and negate reliability on charging stations. There was also an
impressive and colourful display of NASCAR cars, dragsters, a variety of rally cars, together with (in
addition to those already mentioned) a large number of supercars, including an Aston Martin Valkerie, a
Ferrari 812 Superfast Competizione and a McLaren Senna. Thus, overall there was plenty of variety for the
visitors delectation.
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