Tom is off to the Autosport International Show!

[Tom]

Well, after receiving confirmation a few weeks ago via email that my media accreditation has been accepted, it looks as if I will be attending the fabled Autosport International Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham between 8th - 11th of January.

I should probably explain that the first two days of the show (Thursday 8th, Friday 9th) are both Trade days, and as such it is reserved for the media and those involved in the automotive trade, whereas two days following (Saturday 10, Sunday 11th) are open to the general public and most commonly have more guests.

I will be representing both the radio station that I work for, called 107.8 Academy FM Thanet and in a smaller manner, the Formula 1 site that I write for called F1Today.net.

I'll be driving up to Birmingham from Kent on the Wednesday, which should be a good four or so hour drive and I will be staying at a lovely small hotel called Achill Guest House, which cost me only £145 for four nights (the comparative Travelodge was over £300).

I will also be writing a series of articles for the F1 website whilst I am there - they'll be almost a diary account of the days' events, if you will. Moreover, I will also hopefully be conducting interviews with Motorsport personalities throughout the four days.

If anyone else is travelling up there (@homeforsummer, I'm looking at you) then I would love to meet up at some point throughout the show!

Just on a footnote, I'm also meeting the Head of Programming at Motors TV with another Motorsport enthusiast to discuss potential employment opportunities, which I am especially looking forward to given my forays into commentary as of late.

Anyway, I hope to see you there and I'll be keeping this thread regularly updated throughout.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'll keep you updated - I know a couple of the guys from the office are going but that might mean I'm relegated to my desk.

 

[Tom]

I'll keep you updated - I know a couple of the guys from the office are going but that might mean I'm relegated to my desk.

Just change the names on the form... or something. Honestly though, it would be a great shame if you missed it.

 

[SniperRed3]

I'll be there, hopefully on the 9th.

 

[Tom]

I'll be there, hopefully on the 9th.

I might see you there then, Sniper. I'm trying to organise an informal meet-up on one of the days, depending on how busy I am at the time.

 

[Malcolm Tucker]

Good luck with your employment negotiations Tom mate, I'm sure it will go well for you

Looking forward to the show reports

 

[mister dog]

Take lot's of snaps from the most inspiring relics 👍

 

[Tom]

Take lot's of snaps from the most inspiring relics 👍

I shall do indeed. I intend to be getting to the show early and stay late.

 

[mister dog]

I shall do indeed. I intend to be getting to the show early and stay late.

That's dedication 👍

 

[Tom]

That's dedication 👍

Thank you. I mean, I work hard for a living, up at 05.30 every weekday to do a job that I don't get paid for, but do it for pure enjoyment. So, doing something that involves my passion of Motorsport is even more motivation!

 

[DaxCobra]

Crap! I would be displaying my car there if it wasn't off the road this month. Got a few friends going to it.

Say hi to the MX5Nutz stand for me

 

[Tom]

Crap! I would be displaying my car there if it wasn't off the road this month. Got a few friends going to it.

Say hi to the MX5Nutz stand for me

That's a great shame! I certainly shall try to however.

 

[Tom]

Tomorrow's the start of the show for the Trade visitors. Any takers?

 

[SniperRed3]

I'm there today if you see a 6ft 15 year old milling around looking like an excited puppy thats me

 

[boiltheocean]

Avoiding it like the plague. Are you bored yet?

 

[Tom]

Certainly not @boiltheocean, I had an absolutely fantastic time!

---

A brief overview

Honestly, it was an absolutely fantastic experience to spend three days at the show. The main reason for going was to network and build a profile as a journalist and commentator, and I believe that I fulfilled that and have opened a few more doors.

I attended on the Thursday on my own, with a fellow journalist (called Alex Odell) joining me halfway through the day and for Friday too. My friend Col was around on Saturday, and was bloody useful at stalling drivers as I made my way over to them!

The show was absolutely packed with different stands, my favourite of which were the Motors TV UK stand, Dunlop BTCC stand and the Project Brabham stand. There were various cars on display too, as well as Racing Simulators that had three-axis motion, which made me very happy!

The Motors TV stand were looking for budding presenters and commentators to cover the British GT Championship this year, needless to say I gave both a go and after a meeting with Fred (Head of Programming), I will wait and see what occurs.

The sheer size of the NEC was rather breathtaking, which I learned to my peril after the cloakroom where I'd left my stuff closed following the show finishing and was moved to another one - right over the other side of the building! However, it was right next to Live Action Arena and seen as I had a Media Pass, it'd have been rude not to...

Interviews

As a lot of you know, I love a good interview and I conducted a total of 22 interviews with various Motorsport personalities throughout the three days that I attended, here's the full list in no particular order:

David Coulthard
Allan McNish
Petter Solberg
Anthony Davidson
David Brabham
Mark Blundell
Jonathan Palmer
Rob Huff
David Croft
Gary Paffett
Will Stevens
Alex Lynn
Oliver Jarvis
Andrew Jordan
Colin Turkington
Matt Neal
Gordon Shedden
Rob Austin
Mike Bushell
Aiden Moffat
Paul Hembery
Rob Cox

Petter Solberg



David Coulthard

Believe me, he was very, very hard to get hold of, so much in fact that I had to record it outside due to the mob of people awaiting him.



Anthony Davidson



Colin Turkington



The rest can be found on my YouTube channel. I recommend Allan McNish, I phrased a question wrong and ticked him off somewhat (whoops!): https://www.youtube.com/user/TomBrooksGuitars/videos

Photos

Andy Priaulx's WSR BMW for the 2015 BTCC

Brabham BT41

Myself and Rob Austin

BRDC F4 2015 car

Williams FW07 and Tom Kristensen's supertouring Honda Integra

Andrew Jordan's 2015 MG, pictures don't do it justice

Interviewing David Brabham

Peter Kox's supertouring BMW 318i

Derek Warwick on the Autosport mainstage

Myself and Petter Solberg

Paddy Hopkirk's Mini

Myself and Anthony Davidson

David Coulthard on the Autosport main stage

Myself and 2012 WTCC champion Rob Huff

Myself and Colin Turkington

Interviewing Gordon Shedden

 

[Liquid]

That's out bloody standing. Looks like a top event.

 

[chrisjohnson93]

Looks like you had a great time there. Will have to watch the video's on YouTube at one point in the near future. Hopefully that you can carry on your career as a Motorsport journalist and we can see you on TV one day.

Also did Ted back to you after you went to the F1 show for the second time?

 

[Tom]

Looks like you had a great time there. Will have to watch the video's on YouTube at one point in the near future. Hopefully that you can carry on your career as a Motorsport journalist and we can see you on TV one day.

Also did Ted back to you after you went to the F1 show for the second time?

Thank you, Chris. I most certainly hope so, lets wait and see how things pan out over the course of the year.

He did, we email each other on a semi-regular basis, mainly to keep him in the loop of my latest ventures.

 

[V8-Johnboy]

Don't forget what I said Mr Celebrity remember your roots.x