[dropcap]D[/dropcap]iscussions on motorsport safety, championship-winning racing cars and heritage celebrations thrill crowds on day two of Autosport International. FIA president Jean Todt delivered the Motorsport Safety Fund’s prestigious Watkins Lecture to a captivated crowd, covering many topical issues relating to motorsport safety and his experiences in the sport.
With safety such a priority for the FIA, Todt discussed the measures in place to continually improve safety, including a group of top engineers who are conducting in-depth tests to continue to improve safety of racecars.
In addition, Todt spoke about his career as a rally co-driver, his time at Ferrari – including an unprecedented five World Championships in a row – and his love for the sport. Todt also took to the Autosport Stage to share his experience, anecdotes and insight with visitors.
Elsewhere in Autosport International, Williams Heritage showcased some of its cars from throughout the team’s history. Models include the Williams-Ford FW06 – Williams’ very first Formula One car – and one of the most successful F1 cars in history, Nigel Mansell’s Williams-Renault FW14B. The FW18 that won Damon Hill OBE the 1996 Drivers Championship title was also part of the iconic line-up.
Also drawing crowd was the Classic Team Lotus stand, which unveiled its latest project on the first day of the show. The team will be restoring the only turbine-powered F1 car in history, the Type 56B, with the aim of returning it to the racetrack.
The Historic Sports Car Club has revealed that it will mark the 50th anniversary of the club’s first race with a special two-day race meeting at Castle Combe on 16th and 17th April. The main celebration of the event, which marks the start of the HSCC’s 2016 racing season, will be a re-creation of the first grid.
Attendees visiting the Autosport Stage were able to feast their eyes on two amazing racers. The Le Mans-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid was joined by the Ford GT WEC, which will compete in the 2016 season with drivers including Brits Andy Priaulx and Marino Franchitti at the wheel.
Over at the Performance Car Show presented by Landsail Tyres in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com, the Evolution of the Hot Hatch feature took visitors on a wonderful journey, covering all of the key hot hatches that have moved the game on time-after-time over the past 40 years.
The ten cars featured in the display include the Peugeot 205 GTi (unveiled on day one as the world’s greatest hot hatch), the VW Golf GTi MKI and the Renaultsport Megane R26.R
