WILLIAMS FW08C TO STAR IN LIVE ACTION ARENA AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL

December 23, 2015 by Autosport International

◾Visitors to Autosport International this January will see the 1983 Williams Formula One car in action

◾A Williams-Cosworth FW08C won the 1983 Monaco Grand Prix, and will star in the Live Action Arena at the show

◾Originally driven by Keke Rosberg and Jacques Laffite, the car finished fourth in the 1983 Constructors' Championship

◾The first F1 car driven by Ayrton Senna was an FW08C

◾Eight significant cars from Williams' history on display at the show

◾The Jaguar C-X75, as featured in the 24th James Bond film SPECTRE, will also appear in the Live Action Arena

◾Autosport International takes place between 14-17 January* and tickets are selling fast at www.autosportinternational.com

22nd December

Fans of Formula One will get the chance to see a significant part of motorsport history at Autosport International, with an appearance from the Williams-Cosworth FW08C in the Live Action Arena.

The car, which raced in the 1983 F1 season, will be starring in the Live Action Arena at the Birmingham NEC from 14-17 January 2016, giving fans a unique chance to see the historic racer up close and on the move.

The FW08C played a particularly notable role in motorsport history, as it was the first Formula One car driven by legendary driver Ayrton Senna in the 1983 season. Senna was sat next to the Williams team founder Frank Williams on a flight when he begged for the chance to have a test-drive in the car. Senna got his chance at Donington in July 1983 where he completed 40 laps and managed to lap the track faster than anyone else, including that year's team drivers, Keke Rosberg and Jacques Laffite.

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Rosberg and Laffite still enjoyed success in the car, though, with Rosberg recording a pole position at the opening race of the 1983 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix. Later in the season, Rosberg pulled off a great drive to win the Monaco Grand Prix. This helped take the team to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, better than all of the other Cosworth-powered cars that year. Rosberg himself finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship.

Also appearing in the Live Action Arena will be a stunt Jaguar C-X75, one of cars which starred in the latest James Bond film, SPECTRE from Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Specially-prepared for SPECTRE, the C-X75 was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations in collaboration with development partner Williams Advanced Engineering, the division of Williams that transfers technology from Formula 1 to other market sectors.

The C-X75 was driven on screen by Hinx and featured in SPECTRE's iconic car chase through the streets of Rome.

Show-goers will also be able to take a closer look at a second, static, C-X75 at a major Williams feature, another of the star attractions at Autosport International.

As part of a revamped Autosport Stage, the NEC will play host to the eight-metre tall Williams Martini Racing motorhome, which will be constructed immediately next to the Autosport Stage.

As well as the FW08C in the Live Action Arena, Williams will be displaying eight other historically significant racing cars on its stand, including Damon Hill's 1996 title-winning FW18, Nigel Mansell's 1992 title-winning FW14B and the Williams-Mercedes FW37 of 2015.

Claire Williams, Williams Martini Racing Deputy Team Principal, said:

'We are really excited to be able to bring so many important cars from Williams' Formula 1 history to share them with motor racing fans. The show will be a great opportunity for people to see the cars up close, and on the move when the FW08C takes to the Live Action Arena.'

Anthony Rowlinson, Group Editor, Motorsport at Haymarket Media Group, said: 'With nine Constructors' and seven Drivers' Championships since the team's birth in 1977, the Williams team is one of the most successful in Formula 1's history. The FW08C will be a real treat for fans attending the show.'

Ian France, Autosport International show director, said: 'Fans of Formula One, and the Williams team, will be able to get really close to some genuine stars of the sport's past at Autosport International in 2016. To be able to see one of Williams' historic racers in action is something truly special.'

To come along to what promises to be the most exciting and action-packed edition of Autosport International to date, log on to www.autosportinternational.com to get your tickets now.