Fantastic feedback for Speedshow

“A really fantastic show” is the most frequently heard comment about last weekend’s Speedshow ’09, the automotive and motorsport expo held at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.

Speedshow organiser Keith Sharp says he was really proud to walk around the show and see such an interesting and exciting array of vehicles.

“The show was sold out, in terms of exhibition and display space, which is particularly pleasing considering the show was nearly twice as big, area-wise, as last year,” says Sharp who developed the New Zealand Speedshow concept and ran the first very successful event in 2007 at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau City. A second, much larger and even more popular Speedshow took place at the ASB Showgrounds in 2008.

“The line-up of cars and motorcycles – new, performance, classic, custom – was just amazing and we thank everyone who created displays and exhibits for making such a brilliant effort.”

This year’s event saw Speedshow fill to capacity the three main halls of the showgrounds, complemented by extensive outdoor displays and activities to add to the attractions for motoring fans young and not-so-young. The interactive, new dedicated children’s area called Speedshow 4 Kids proved very popular.

“Judging by the number of families, our Speedshow 4 Kids area, with animated TV star Roary the Racing Car as our special guest, was a big hit.”

Sharp says visitor numbers were ten per cent up on last year’s first event at the central Auckland showgrounds.

“In the current market, to expand the show and get 18,000 visitors is a fantastic effort from all involved and we’re just delighted.

“Exhibitors are so keen to sign up for the 2010 show, it’s really pleasing and we’ve also had some incredibly complimentary emails from show visitors, so all in all, very positive feedback for the third annual Speedshow.”

This year’s key draw-cards – including the world’s fastest NASCAR and the original movie Batmobile – attracted plenty of attention, but the whole show was busy throughout the weekend, says Sharp.

“The Mini motokhana and Wildcard stunt utes in the live action arena, the bikes and cars raced by Kiwis on the Bonneville Salt Flats and the many trade stalls offering all kinds of motoring and motorsport equipment, clothing, books and more. It really did take a good few hours to get right around the show!”

Speedshow ’09 featured a much-expanded line-up of new cars and motorcycles. Mazda New Zealand’s national marketing manager Glenn Harris said he was delighted with the company’s first appearance at Speedshow.

“It’s an excellent venue to highlight our new models and visitors have been interested in talking about and looking at the cars in detail. Should they be in the market for a new car, ideally they’re going to remember that conversation and visit one of our Mazda dealers,” says Harris.

“There’s never been a more critical time for new vehicle manufacturers to promote their brands and Speedshow provides an excellent platform to showcase their products to the thousands of motoring and motorsport fans of all ages who attend the event.”

Leigh Beckhaus, from Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand, says overall the company’s first experience of Speedshow was also very positive.

“We had a lot of interest in our product with Speedshow visitors genuinely keen to talk about all our products – Triumph, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Piaggio, Gilera and Vespa. A number of our dealers – Holeshot, Motomail, Mt Eden Motorcycles, Scooterazzi and Emoto – were at Speedshow with us and we all commented that it was excellent to have the opportunity to talk to a lot of people one-on-one and from that perspective it’s been a very good promotional event for all our motorcycle and scooter ranges,” says Beckhaus.

Sharp and the Speedshow team will soon start work planning next year’s event. The dates at the ASB Showgrounds are already confirmed for the weekend of 18 and 19 September, 2010. More details will be available on the Speedshow website, www.speedshow.co.nz, as they are confirmed.