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Motorshow 2000 SHOW REPORT SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER
"BACK TO BASICS "
A leading independent auto-accessories retailer is aiming to bring the International Motor Show "back to basics" this year with a highly charged mix of music, girls, fast cars and accessories. The GBP200,000 A1 Motor Stores Village is hosting a regular entertainment show with live radio broadcasts, dancing girls, glamour models and slick stage games that owe nothing to the 'PC' lobby, but which have been drawing considerable crowds of visitors eager to inspect the finely tuned bodywork on display. Also appearing alongside the Caterham R500 and Williams Formula 3 racing car at the village are Page 3 models Jo Guest and Danni Hunt, while on the final day Miss Fast Car 2000 will be crowned on the A1 stage. And according to A1 founder Joe Elliot, whose floor space at the NEC has risen from 9 square metres to 1,600 sq ms since he first set up at the show in 1988, that "buzz" will always be a key attraction for people coming to the Motor Show. "Having had our suppliers fill our stands over the years with everything from a sponge to an in-car television system, we decided to put on a show which will make people stop and take a look at the range of products now available in this expanding market," he explains So Elliot has hired the expertise of former BBC radio and television celebrity Stuart Linnell, to produce and direct the entertainment with the help of suppliers such as Car Plan and Comma as well as Fast Car magazine and Coventry commercial radio station Kix 96. "We believe the public's image of coming to the Motor Show is to see glossy cars and attractive ladies. People want to have a bit of fun and in providing this we are returning to the basics of what people expect at a Motor Show, while promoting the motor after-market in a very positive way," he said. And while "creating a buzz" is a key strategy, Elliot is just as serious about the importance of increasing the presence of the after-sales market at future Shows. He said: "We were the first stand to bring retailing to the Motor Show back in 1994, and with 34 of our suppliers in the village we take up about a third of this year's entire retail area. "We strongly believe the 2002 Show should have a much larger presence for this growing sector and we will be working closely the SMMT to ensure this happens" JO GUEST AND DANNI HUNT Jo Guest may not have gained her driving licence yet, but along with fellow Men and Motors's presenter Danni Hunt, she had pulses racing at the International Motor Show, in Birmingham today when she arrived at the A1 Motor Stores village. The glamour models, both aged 28, were signing autographs at Men and Motors' sponsor CarPlan's stand, before taking to the stage in front a huge crowd of visitors. The pair are also appearing tomorrow, and next Friday and Saturday. And while Danni said she hoped to negotiate a deal on a car to replace her old one, Jo Guest confessed she'd failed her driving test twice. Danni said: "I think you'd need a few days to get around the Show, but the atmosphere is incredible. "I drive a Fiesta Frascati 1.3 and I'm looking to replace it. The Audi TT is quite sexy and cute, but I don't know how functional it would be because I take my dog, Bocey, everywhere with me." Jo Guest, who has a Suzuki Vitara despite not having a driving licence, said her dream car would be a McLaren F1 She said: "Every time I go past the one in the showroom in Park Lane I think 'if I win the lottery you are mine. I also like the look of the new Lotus Elise, but unfortunately I keep failing my test!" MAN. UNITED EYES UP CRASH REPLACEMENT Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich spent the afternoon browsing the cars on offer at the International Motor Show yesterday. Bosnich, whose BMW M3 was written off in an accident two months ago, said he wasn't at the Show to buy a car, but mentioned the Mercedes CL AMG, Ferrari 360 Spyder and the Aston Martins among those that had caught his eye. He said: "The BMW was a write-off and I'm looking for a replacement as soon as possible," but he was still unsure what car that might be. The Australian star, who currently drives a 4 x 4 Mercedes, admitted: "I haven't got much of a clue about cars." Visiting the Motor Show with relatives, Bosnich added: "The stands are all very impressive, obviously a lot of work has gone into them." His black BMW convertible was ruined in August after it was involved in a triple-car shunt at traffic lights as he was returning from training to his home in Bowden, Greater Manchester. If you wish to contact us either : PHONE 0121 444
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