Insanity,’ answers Martin Capenhurst to the question as to why he started Motorsport UK, a brand new organisation which celebrates the roots of motorsport. The maiden event took place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on 5-6 November 2011.

Insanity may not be a bad word to use, in the circumstances. That was indeed the atmosphere at Ricoh, probably helped by the fact that – only a few doors away – a football match was taking place: scarves and slicks; team colours and commitment to one’s choice of sports.

For the launch, Capenhurst managed to put together under the same roof an impressive array of bodies, clubs and partners from a common background: Go Motorsport, a three-year-old organisation launched with Lewis Hamilton at the McLaren Technology Centre, and part of the Motorsport Association, took pride of place in the middle of the hall, with a selection of young drivers and their less-than-pristine racers. Information on all four-wheel disciplines, from karting to rallying, autocross and circuit racing is provided under one banner.

A mixture of classic and modern competition cars (with a 25/75% ratio, respectively) were involved, and over 100 exhibitors spent two days at the arena. With 750 championships to discuss, and a passion in common, time must have flown. Among the car clubs, the 1979 Historic Rally Car register and the Mini Se7en Racing Club sandwiched modern competition cars such as Thorney Motorsport’s new Insignia racer and the kit car stand, with Westfield and Gardner Douglas.

Westfield is almost thirty years old, and – like many businesses there - holds high the British manufacturing and engineering flag. The firm has recently started exporting its cars to India, and currently sells 10% of its annual output to France.

Martin Capenhurst is not new to this kind of events; as the founder of Kart Mania, now in its fifth year (and using the same venue next month), he had the contacts and the trust of similarly-minded people. ‘The best thing about Motorsport UK?’ he says, smiling. ‘Networking. We are a growing family, and intend to bring to the general public the notion that motorsport does not need to be expensive or exclusive. Next year the event will be twice as big and we shall be using both top and ground floors.’

Let’s hope there isn’t another football match next door, then.