Surely the original intention of the Racing Car Show that turned into the Autosport International was to provide a platform for competition teams and component suppliers to show their wares to existing or prospective customers, the bits and peices for us followers of Motorsport were only really a later addition so that the NEC could make loads more money out of stands and tickets.
With the economy the way it is the small books and model sellers just aren't gonna run the risk of paying out big money with th echane that they won't even get that back let alone make a profit.
Mind you I must say that I haven't been to AI as i think it's way to expensive to get in and park, just what we all need in January! Senisble pricing might encourage me to go, but i doubt it as I hate the NEC! We got free tickets to the Classic Car Show a year or two back and it seemed like we had to park in North Wales somewhere, spent most of the day getting in and out and to and from the car!
Still it's horses for courses, I'm sure plenty of people enjoy it.
