Ahead of the 2023 edition of Autosport International, Europe’s largest motorsport exhibition, motorsport fans have been asked to share their greatest Motorsport Memories. An expert panel including three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE has decided on the top ten moments and fans are invited to vote for the winner.
After debating a wide range of memories, the panel has agreed on a shortlist that includes iconic moments from the world of Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, British Touring Car Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
From the great Sir Stirling Moss covering 1000 miles of twisting Italian roads at an average speed of 99mph in the Mille Miglia, to Sir Lewis Hamilton’s last-gasp title success at the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, the voting will take fans on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.
Fans will now cast their votes online for these top ten Memories. They will then be able to see the ten chosen moments displayed as prints in a gallery at Autosport International, held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) on 12-15 January 2023.
The prints, supplied by Motorsport Images, will be prizes in a raffle to raise funds and awareness for Race Against Dementia, giving the fans a unique opportunity to take away a physical connection to their favourite motorsport memories.
Race Against Dementia is a global charity that uses pioneering research and a Formula 1 attitude to find a cure for dementia. The charity was founded by Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, a three time Formula 1 World Champion who won a total of 27 Grands Prix and was an incredible advocate for safety in Formula 1.
Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE will personally sign the top ten memories and officially open the display before taking to the main stage at the show to talk about his personal involvement with Race Against Dementia, and sharing memories from his motorsport career.
The top ten Motorsport Memories
- 1955 Mille Miglia – Sir Stirling Moss wins the Italian classic with an average speed of 99mph.
- 1957 German Grand Prix – Juan Manuel Fangio triumphs at the Nürburgring despite having a slow pit stop and falling 40 seconds behind the leaders.
- 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans – Ford ends Ferrari’s winning streak at Le Mans with the iconic Ford GT40.
- 1969 Italian Grand Prix – Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE beats Jochen Rindt, Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Bruce McLaren in a four-way fight for the win and takes his first world title.
- 1987 British Grand Prix – Nigel Mansell beats Nelson Piquet with a stunning overtake at Stowe corner at Silverstone, despite tyre problems in the early stages of the race.
- 1992 BTCC Silverstone – Tim Harvey wins the title whilst Steve Soper and John Cleland famously collide.
- 1995 Rally GB – Colin McRae wins Rally GB for the second consecutive time and takes his first WRC title over teammate Carlos Sainz.
- 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix – Lewis Hamilton passes Timo Glock on the final corner of the final lap in a wet/dry race to win his first world title by a single point.
- 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans – Toyota loses the lead and the chance to win Le Mans for the first time since its return on the last lap.
