Motorsport to Defence

The MIA Motorsport to Defence Initiative

Partners


Alcon		Goodridge

Members - click here to view the
'Guide to winning Defence Contracts'

In January 2007, the challenge of linking Motorsport to Defence was issued by Lord Drayson (then Minister for Procurement at the Ministry of Defence) and Lord Astor of Hever, Shadow Defence Minister. Fully aware of the advanced engineering skills involved in designing racing vehicles which can attain high levels of performance and reliability over variable terrain whilst enduring extremes of temperature and adverse climatic conditions, both Parliamentarians were convinced of the synergies which exist between the Motorsport and Defence Industries.

Interaction between the two industries has been mutually beneficial since it has enabled the defence sector to utilise a separate set of brains to find novel solutions to its engineering problems whilst granting Motorsport Valley© companies the opportunity to grow their businesses within less seasonally-variable revenue streams. The MIA's Motorsport to Defence initiative has seen motorsport-derived radiators, charge coolers, gearboxes, brakes, suspension components and seals provide real benefit to defence vehicles in the field.

Partners of the Motorsport to Defence Initiative are Alcon, a leading supplier of brake and clutch components to motorsport applications and OEMs and Goodridge, the foremost supplier of fluid transfer hoses and fittings to the motorsport and automotive industries. EMW Picton Howell LLP solicitors and international lawyers specialising in advising companies in the motorsport industry are the Initiative’s supporters.

Some Motorsport to Defence testimonials:

"The MIA Motorsport to Defence Programme has already delivered many new positive business opportunities for our Members in the defence sector. I am delighted that real business has been created."
Lord Astor of Hever DL
Shadow Defence Minister, House of Lords & MIA Honorary President

"On specific niche issues, we can get some really good wins from this. I am sure that if you look back in 18 months' time, MIA companies will have benefited. If they have benefited, then defence has benefited, as we will have cutting edge technology to solve problems that we would not have had otherwise."
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wills
Protected Mobility Team, General Support Vehicles, Ministry of Defence

“Without the MIA organising this programme and so giving us the opportunity to meet with key defence industry influencers, NAR Group may never have secured this work. The Defence Industry appear keen to work with the motorsport industry and genuinely value our innovative engineering ideas. Hopefully this first contract will have a snowball effect and encourage other major defence players to work with other motorsport industry companies."
Robert Goodwin
NAR Group

www.supacat.com

Supacat has been actively involved in the MIA's Motorsport to Defence Initiative and now uses several component parts engineered by MIA Members

Print media coverage of the MIA Motorsport to Defence Initiative:

Recent Motorsport to Defence Initiative Events:

DVD 2009, Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire - 24-25th June 2009. Report; Photos
MIA Members' visit to Supacat, Honiton, Devon - 15th July 2009. Photos
DSEi (Defence Equipment & Systems International), ExCeL London - 8-11th September 2009.
MIA meets A|D|S - Defence Industry Table-top Display and Networking Day at MIRA, Nuneaton- 26th November 2009. Photos

Upcoming MIA Motorsport to Defence Events:

Technical Workshop & Equipment Display, Tank Museum, Bovington - 24th February
MIA Visit to Thales (Land Equipment & Aerospace) - 17th March
Click here to see the full list of recommended upcoming events

Defence News:

For more information please contact Adam Pointer on +44 (0)2476 692600
or email adam.pointer@the-mia.com.

The MIA Motorsport to Defence Initiative
is supported by

EMW Picton Howell LLP

members area