#asi19

Autosport International show 2019 was alive and kicking as per usual this year but my love of the show was just not there. The buzz and thrill that I usually have never appeared so I was unsure what I was going to be walking into when I arrived. Would I suddenly become overwhelmed or would I just be walking round with my head in the clouds? Let’s go through what I honestly thought.

I always find that most reviews come from car-mad fans and talk so technical about the wonders of engineering and advances in this and that, so you don’t really get a true reflection of what it is like to just walk around being in one of the most amazing car shows on earth.

There were a lot more cars on display than I remember in previous years, so that is the first check in the box. Not even just the sports cars, race cars, etc. It was more peoples own road cars, street scene cars, or as they are referred to in my neck of the woods, ‘boy racers’. The setup of the show this year really played to the advantage of this, as there was almost a whole hall just dedicated to these amazing display cars.

The auction house was also located at the furthest end of show instead of in the middle. When we eventually found it, it had already started but there was a smaller crowd than we expected. Normally most of the show goers gather round to see what these spectacular finds are being sold for. Plus it is always a great way to see vehicles that you would just never normally get to see in real life. Saying that I also expected to see more cars on display. Previous years it was such a giant part of the show, but this year in my opinion, it flopped. No stock, no audience, no atmosphere.

The street car section defiantly brought the biggest crowd. I found it difficult moving through this section but when you did fight your way to the front, it was worth it. These cars were amazing to see and showed how the industry’s creativeness has just gotten stronger year on year. Everyone and their nan were there with their phones, cameras, full media set up to make sure they got the best photos. I have never seen so many gimbals in one place! It was amazing to see so many people wanting to see these impressive customizations. But I do feel it was more showing off than getting the customers who have paid and travelled along way, involved. It just felt cold of the brands. To me, it was as if they were saying ‘you can’t afford this, so I’m not wasting my time’. If it was me, get the customer involved by getting staff members to walk round talking about who they are, what their company does, how they come up with these designs. Instead it was like this, they had the VIP sitting area at the back of all the stands and most of the staff were just gathered there talking among themselves. So even if I wanted to ask a question or make a purchase I wouldn’t be able to. I know that most of the time it’s worthless questions that they are asked over and over but that is why they are there aren’t they? All that money paid to put your vehicle on display for thousands of people, yet you make no sales? Hmm… Over the years it has been nice seeing brands like Liberty Walk come from one or two cars to one of the main attractions. But again, I felt my interest was cut short by the staff not being interested. Maybe I’m too harsh, but then again I was a paying customer.

There were a lot of charity stands which were great to see, along with stands that you would not normally think would be there. For example, the camper conversions. They show that there is so much more out there than just the car you race. They were in fact very inspiring and how the staff let you get in and use the items so you can get a true feel of the craftsmanship.

Boats – Yes, there was also boats??!! …

Motorsport section. My favourite section. F1 cars, real race cars from Caterham’s to fiestas and every kind of mini you can think of. We even started playing spot the Mazda MX-5! It was wonderful to see as the drivers and owners of the cars where there and a tip for next year, if you ask nicely enough, they let you get in them! Always makes for a good selfie.

There is a big stage where some big names get to speak about their honest thoughts. However, every year this becomes more and more difficult to find out who is on the stage. But I did manage to find it and see a few names form the F1 sense. I preferred the stage this year with it being away from the F1 stand and in one of the quieter sections, this did effect the crowd numbers though.

Crowds were okay this year, everyone seemed to disappear after 14:30 every day. No idea why but it was nice to be able to walk around later on in the day and purchase a few cheeky items.

So the show was good, the crowd was large, the show was bigger than ever, but I still wasn’t smitten. I found there was enough stands to keep me entertained for around an hour or two but after that it was filled with too many gimmick shops. Stands that had no relevance to the Autosport world.  The talk shop stage was good, but not enough people leading these presentations. I would have loved more. Let’s get more cars and items on show and less of the repeats. I did find myself feeling trapped in a Scooby-Do corridor where every 5 stands just repeated.

So my verdict, next year I’ll probably pass, it was like a German car, it was so perfect it almost has no soul. It was nice to go and catch up with friends but I could just as easily pick up the phone. Autosport Show need to step up their game I reckon but I would be interested to know what your opinion is? Did I miss a huge area or presentation of fun?

Fingers crossed you all had fun.