2007 show review

As Professional MotorSport World Expo entered its final day, exhibitors and visitors reflected on an extremely successful show. Here’s a selection of their comments:

“It’s our first year as an exhibitor and we’ve met a lot of new people from all over the world. Unlike other shows, I want to talk to everyone here. It’s very refreshing”
Chris Witter, technical sales, Performance Friction Brakes

“The show is bigger than we expected. We’ve met lots of new clients and are excited about promoting our new dashboard unit”
Andrea Dappiano, technical sales, Magneti Marelli Motorsport

“We were here last year and we’ll definitely be back next year too”
Janina Schultke, automotive sales, Schroth Racing

“It’s my first time here and I have met lots of people I would otherwise never have been able to meet. I hope to be able to come back next time”
Stefan Borger, owner, Borger Motorsport

“The beautiful thing about this show is that you are able to have proper conversations. We want to see technological improvements, not bright colors”
J.A.J. van Ginhoven, consultant, Spyker Squadron

“We’re interested in some of the lightweight component technology on show. It’s very enjoyable, with lots of interesting stands and interesting people to talk to. The show is also very professional, and the visitors are generally interested in buying things, which is a big positive”
Nick Algar, managing director, Algarhythm Racing

Day Two - November 7 2007

Gala Dinner a knockout success!

One thousand motorsport professionals and members of the press attended the entertainment-packed Gala Dinner at the end of Day One at Professional MotorSport World Expo 2007.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards. Christian Loriaux, technical director of the Ford World Rally Team, picked up the prize for Design Engineer of the Year, while Spa-Francorchamps was a popular winner of Motorsport Facility of the Year. For a full list of winners, click here.

On Wednesday morning the exhibition resumed, and there were plenty more new product debuts for visitors to discover. Vibration Free was showing its Crankshaft Deflection Analyser, which is used to monitor crankshaft flexure during dyno runs. The technology helps deliver increased power and reliability by improving crank design and balance, and main bearing load, and reducing stress and fatigue.

Elsewhere, House of Composites revealed that it has a universal rear wing under development, to be available from January 2008. With a maximum width of 2,000mm, a standard solution can be delivered, or anything besides the profile – such as material, fiber lay-up, support placement, end plate or support shape – can be tailored to customer specifications.

Day 1 - November 6 2007

Fast start for Professional MotorSport World Expo

On Day One of Professional MotorSport World Expo it was clear that the show was destined to be a racing success! The doors had only been open for an hour, but Koelnmesse’s Hall 7 was already teeming with visitors keen to check out the latest technologies from the 280 exhibitors.

Sensor specialist Penny + Giles unveiled its new sealed linear contactless sensor for the motorsport market, the SLH100. This robust Hall-effect sensor is designed to provide cost-effective precision position sensing, operating in high-dither vibration conditions with no deterioration of the sensing element.

Meanwhile, Swedish company Peltor had a new communication headset on show for circuit drivers. The smaller earpieces have been designed to fit more comfortably under a helmet, and for the first time can be fitted with disposable, certified ear protector plugs from sister firm E.A.R. The disposable plugs bring improved hygiene and better performance over time.

Emphasizing the diversity of components and equipment on offer at Professional MotorSport World Expo, CTG had a very different new product on display: an advanced composite small-diameter driveshaft. Capable of withstanding torque loads of up to 5,500Nm, it can operate at temperatures of up to 200ºC with a shaft diameter of only 35-40mm.