Future-first Friday at A24

Friday 12 January 2024

Friday at A24 (formerly known as Autosport International) sees the Motorsport UK display stand in Hall 3 focus on the topics of sustainability and diversity. 

 Motorsport UK is committed to environmental sustainability and the adoption of multiple new propulsion technologies to support the sport. Illustrating the governing body’s determination to take action to tackle climate change, all cars being exhibited at A24 herald a decarbonised future. 

 Bookmarking both ends of electric motorsport, the forward-thinking display will feature both the latest generation of electric MightE Bambino kart and the 550hp Extreme E ODYSSEY 21 SUV off-road racer. 

 While the latter will be familiar to many TV viewers, the former is an all new innovation bringing MightE’s state-of-the-art electric powertrain solutions into the heart of junior Bambino karting (for six-to-eight year-olds) in 2024. 

 The growing availability of sustainable fuels is another exciting solution, not least as they offer a massively decarbonised alternative for the large numbers of much-cherished competition cars already in existence.  

 Louis Sharp’s 2023 F4 title winner will be on show at the NEC. For the third successive season, all the Tatuus T-421 single-seaters contesting the prestigious ROKiT F4 British Championship will run on Carless’ Hiperflo R20 performance biofuel, thus significantly reducing greenhouse gases.  

 The F4 will be alongside a venerable Ford Escort Twin Cam as successfully rallied by Subaru WRC star Phil Mills on Rali Ceredigion and Oliver Solberg, the son of Phil’s former Subaru team-mate and WRC champion, Petter, in the Roger Albert Clark. Both performed perfectly on Carless’ second-generation biofuel.  

 Visitors to A24 can discover more about the viability of sustainable fuels both by talking to those on the Motorsport UK stand and by attending the Autosport Business Forum hosted by Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins, which runs alongside the main event. Admission to the Forum is included with any trade day ticket. Throughout the day many different stakeholders in the industry will be interviewed about their role in the sport, pathways to participation and initiatives to diversify motorsport, including Motorsport UK’s Head of Sustainability, Jessica Runicles, and Discover Your Drive Programme Manager, Rosa Dakin. 

 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of Motorsport UK’s strategy to grow the sport by attracting new hitherto untapped audiences. To that end, the British Women Racing Drivers Club will announce a new scheme to get more women into motorsport. More here: Into Speed Event: Start your motorsport journey with us (bwrdc.co.uk) 

 On a different front, Motorsport UK’s coaching team will also be hosting free coaching taster sessions on Friday from 1300-1600. These sessions will provide a brief insight into what the Accelerator Award and Coaching Motorsport qualification courses offer. Those interested can still register online at: https://forms.office.com/e/p3ZH70iZ25 

 Motorsport UK members attending the event are entitled to a £15 discount off their ticket. To get yours ahead of the show, login to member benefits now to receive your discount code to use when checking out at: https://autosportinternational.com/en/tickets.