Visitors to this year’s British International Motor Show, sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, can expect a host of cool features and exciting events, with a guarantee of something to please all the family when they visit the NEC this autumn. And that doesn’t just mean glitzy new cars!
There’s a Show within a Show as the breathtaking MINI Adventure Live! takes its place in Hall 2. Audiences will be on the edge of their seats as the new MINI is put through its paces, in a display of amazing stunts and manoeuvres.
State-of-the-art electronics company Alpine, has promised to bring boats and planes to the Show as well as in-car entertainment. The NEC lake will play host to the Sunseeker XS world record-breaking speed boat, while the air space above it has already been reserved for the Alpine-sponsored GoldAir International aerobatic display team and its new Sukhoi SU26 stunt plane.
Formula One fans can experience pit lane thrills on the Shell stand, in a fantastic wheel change challenge, while off-roaders will be queuing up to live life on The Edge, a purpose built, 21 tonne steel structure that simulates the extreme off-road conditions which the Vauxhall Frontera takes in its stride.
For the budding artist in the family, Daihatsu’s Paint Box will be the place to be. Youngsters will have the chance to show their creative skills by painting a range of Daihatsu cars in whatever style they like. While for older kids (18+), a ‘chill out zone’ promises bars and computer games within the action-packed Automania arena.
But if all this excitement gets a bit too much, or you just feel like being pampered, simply drop the kids off at the playcare centre, sponsored by Nissan, and take a break in The Sanctuary, a relaxation zone featuring massage, salad and juice bars. What better way to catch your breath before the journey home?
Commenting on the range of attractions already confirmed at this year’s Show, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘Our aim is to give visitors a premier league Motor Show, which will keep them amused all day, for less than half the price of entry to a top flight football match. So at this year’s Show there will be something for everyone, loads of fun things to do and see, better amenities, and of course a truly international line-up of new cars.’
Notes to editors:
- The British International Motor Show 2002 takes place from 23 October to 3 November at Birmingham’s NEC with public access from 24 October. Discount tickets for the Show are now on sale for those who book in advance through the web site at www.motorshow.co.uk Visitors can save £3 by booking on-line, with adult tickets priced at £12 for public days. On the door, tickets are priced at £15. For the Daily Telegraph preview day on 24 October, tickets cost £25 in advance but £40 on the door, an on-line saving of more than a third. All discounts are available until midnight on Sunday 13 October, when tickets revert to normal on-the-door prices.
- For visitors without access to the Internet, tickets are available through the Motor Show box office ticket line on 0870 906 2002. Lines are open 9am – 8pm on weekdays and 10am – 8pm at the weekend.
- During the Show, doors will open from 9.30am to 7pm on all public days, closing at 5.30pm on the final day.
