infonews.co.nz
INDEX
MOTORSPORT

Second annual GT Radial Speedshow has great appeal

Tuesday 23 September 2008, 8:10PM

By GT Radial Speedshow

749 views

Speedshow organiser, Keith Sharp (left) with New Zealand racing star Scott Dixon (right) beside one of the cars he�s raced this season in which he won the Indy Racing League title for the second time and the famous Indy 500 race
Speedshow organiser, Keith Sharp (left) with New Zealand racing star Scott Dixon (right) beside one of the cars hes raced this season in which he won the Indy Racing League title for the second time and the famous Indy 500 race Credit: Kate Gordon

AUCKLAND

Thousands of motorsport fans headed to the second GT Radial Speedshow at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds over the weekend of 20 and 21 September to enjoy the motorsport expo which featured a wide variety of race cars, live action and related motorsport merchandise.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the second Speedshow,” says the motorsport expo founder and organiser Keith Sharp. “Close to 15,000 people visited Speedshow this year and from everything we’d heard from the experts in this sector, that’s a fantastic outcome for a show in only its second year.”

Centre stage at the 2008 GT Radial Speedshow was one of Scott Dixon’s Indy racing cars and hundreds of lucky fans were able to see the star Kiwi driver when he made an unscheduled appearance at Speedshow late on the Sunday afternoon.

“What a great bonus for these racing fans! Scott was very generous with his limited time at the show, signing autographs and posing for photographs, before appearing as a guest with his wife Emma on TVNZ’s Powerbuilt Tools Motorsport, which broadcast live from Speedshow on Sunday afternoon.”

With over 140 exhibitors at Speedshow, Sharp is now busy taking calls from exhibitors keen to book sites for the 2009 event.

“The feedback has been tremendously positive from exhibitors and show visitors alike. First-time exhibitors want to book double the space they had this year and others are asking what they can do to secure the same position – it’s very encouraging and, after a short breather, our small team will be right into planning the next Speedshow.

“We’re hugely appreciative of the support and effort from our exhibitors and sponsors, and all those clubs and competitors who created such excellent displays.”

More than 200 vehicles were on display at Speedshow. “From Scott’s Indy car and the Ferrari F1 beside it, there were so many fantastic cars like the restored 50-year-old stock car, the yet-to-be-released Nissan GTR, championship-winning sprint and midget cars, some fabulous hot rods and dragsters – those were cool – honestly, as a car fan, Speedshow was a blast! So many people to talk to, drivers to meet, race car simulators to try out – we really enjoyed being able to share it all with our visitors and we thank them for supporting and visiting the show.”

The dates for the 2009 Speedshow have already been decided. “The weekend of 19 and 20 September 2009 will see the third annual Speedshow fill the ASB Showgrounds with more stunning cars and competitors,” confirms Sharp.

As new details about the 2009 Speedshow become available they will be updated on the event’s website, www.speedshow.co.nz , which also provides the opportunity to sign up for regular newsletters.
ENDS/