Brabanthallen, S-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands 22/23 July 2023: Automadness a brandnew concept for 402 automotive. It’s a revised concept based on a respected indoor car show (100% Tuning/100% Live) without an action arena. A tuning event in a different location (Den Bosch) with a lot to offer, from tuned/styled cars or cars from the motorsport world to supercars. The icing on the cake; is the presence of cars from the Fast & the Furious franchise, appearances of several influencers, the best custom car audio, sim-racing, and classic supercars. This right combination attracted twenty thousand visitors to the Brabanthallen in S-Hertogenbosch.

Text: Benjamin Wefer
Pictures: Benjamin Wefer

The indoor paddock had various custom cars from different brands (three hundred show cars in total). One of the eye-catchers is the 2017 Ferrari 812 Superfast Novitec. The 812 Superfast is the successor of the F12berlinetta and came with an 819 Horsepower V-12 engine. The German tuning Novitec took it to the next level by adding the NOVITEC N-LARGO carbon designer outfit making the two-seater 211 centimeters wide. The engine is tuned, and Novitec gets 840 Horsepower out of it, making it one of the fastest two-seater supercars in the world, and they made only 18 of it.

Other eye-cather were the cars from the Fast & the Furious franchise. Fast Car Garage bought four of the iconic cars from the movie franchise. Most spectators walked around, like being in a car heaving, seeing the ‘Hero’ Toyota Supra, the Dodge Charger, the Honda S2000, and the Volkswagen Jetta (no calipers).

402 Automotive didn’t forget the bike community. Moto Madness, a new section added to the show dedicated to motorcycles. The bike community responded positively, with bikes for all different tastes.

Another stand you couldn’t miss was the one from Monster Energy drink. For the occasion, the team from Monster invited XCarWrapping, to wrap a Lamborghini Urus in white. Not only could the spectator receive a cold energy drink, and received a marker to write whatever they wanted on the car. And, of course, we could not leave the opportunity pass by to leave our mark ourselves.

Auto madness offered something for every taste. The petrol heads who like racing could have enjoyed some cars from the drag racing world. The Honda Civic (Lola), driven by Lisette de Koning, and the Chevrolet Camaro (Banditos racing team), driven by Steve Okkerman, were exhibited at the Brabanthallen.

As has become a tradition, the car catwalk was the place to be for the spectators. The catwalk is an exhibition moment for the spectator to see the cars, hear the engine sound and get to know the car owners and their passion for cars. All this; under the beats of DJ Demi Maria! She is the female urban talent of the moment, and not only does she spins her beats, but she also sings her own songs. Demi took it to the next level in the Brabanthallen.

Eye catchers during the car catwalk for sure were the McLaren twins family, who brought their entire collection. Emotions went through the roof during the car catwalk when Enzo Knol entered the arena with his famous red Lamborghini Urus. Lucky ones got the opportunity to sit in the Urus and let that baby rev! Also, GTR Leslie & GTR Rico made their appearances and (as usual) left the crowd deaf for a while.

Timeout Experience offered a business class (Supercar Taxi) experience to the petrolhead looking for an unforgettable day. The spectator would be driven around for twenty minutes by a dedicated driver and got to choose between a 1999 Ferrari F355, a 2010 Ferrari 458, 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider, or a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud2. Of course, not at the price of your day-to-day city Taxi!

Spectators came from all around Europe (To mention some; spectators from Belgium, Germany & Poland) to experience the first Automadness in S-Hertogenbosch. A revised concept at a new location, with an indoor and outdoor paddock. With some live music from several DJs and the appearances of several influencers of the car world. The right combination for success.