Published monthly under licence by Singapore based Bespoke Media Pte. Ltd. Autosport Asia will provide readers across the region with the latest international and regional motorsport news, interviews and features covering everything from Formula 1 to WRC, touring cars and the thriving Asian drifting scene.
The first issue of Autosport Asia, cover-dated April 2011, hit the newsstands in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau the week before last just before the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The magazine is priced SG$7.95 (US$6.30) in its home market with similar cover prices reflecting local dynamics in its other main markets. The magazine will be led by COO and editor-in-chief Owen Leed, who has been involved in motorsport in Asia for over 10 years.
The magazine is produced in Singapore using content from the UK edition, with additional Asian content produced by a team of motorsport contributors in each of its major markets.
Haymarket’s head of licensing development (Asia) Edward Marr said: “Interest in motorsport in Asia is growing rapidly, with six grands prix in the region in 2011.
“There are also growing regional and local motorsport championships and established races such as the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, all of which offer a wealth of news and features that have not been covered by a dedicated Asian motorsport title until now.”
Owen Leed of Bespoke Media, said: “There was no single product in the region that was reporting motorsport with the impact and authority that Autosport is famous for on the UK.
“Asia is the largest growth market for motorsport in the world today so it was clear there was a gap in the market in which to launch Autosport Asia. The magazine’s presence here now reflects the importance of motorsport in the Asia both regionally and internationally.”
Rob Aherne, Autosport’s publisher in the UK, said: “Owen and his team have done a terrific job with the inaugural issue. This is a hugely promising partnership and we look forward to seeing where it takes us.”
Autosport is published weekly in the UK and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2010 and is known as the motorsport industry bible, while Autosport.com is the world’s biggest online motorsport news site with popular Apple and Android mobile apps.
The annual Autosport Awards have been championing the sport’s stars since 1988, and the Autosport International Show is held at the NEC in the UK every January. Haymarket also publishes motorsport magazines F1Racing, which is licensed worldwide, and Racer in the US.
