THE biggest ever collection of more than 600 performance and racing cars seen in the UK will be on display at next month's Autosport International 2006 at Birmingham's NEC.

Some of these astonishing cars will be unveiled to the world for the very first time on Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15, while others will be making their UK debut.

Headlining will be French manufacturers Ligier, who will make their first appe-arance at Autosport International and unveil the JS49 Sport Prototype.

The new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up will make its UK debut fresh from its European launch at last week's Bologna Motor Show.

This third generation L200 double cab boasts radical styling inspired by Mitsubishi's ten-time Dakar winning Pajero Evolution, a brand new engine, new suspension, steering and drive-train.

Fulda Tyres will make a dramatic entrance at the NEC when they showcase the awesome Maybach Exelero.

The car, which will be the central feature of the Fulda stand, recently reached 217.9mph (351 km/h) in the capable hands of test driver Klaus Ludwig, three-time German Touring Car champion.

Connaught, a famous British marque from the 1950s was the first British manufacturer to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, beating works Maserati and Ferraris.

The company will be exhibiting their latest car, their first performance sport coupe, the Connaught Type-D V10 on the Advantage West Midlands stand, the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands who are exhibiting a selection of cars from the region.

You can avoid the queues and book online now at www.autosport-international.com for tickets to the show, which include entrance to the Live Action Arena at £25for adults and £17.50 for children or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244.