Last March, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced that the 2010 British Motor Show would have to be postponed because of the global recession. Chances are, they said, the show won’t be back on until at least 2013. Well, not if millionaire car buff Darren Richards has his way.

“We need to weather through this storm. It’s more reason to preserve the tradition of the motor show. We must not just roll over. Even if the event is scaled down dramatically next year it must still happen,” said Richards.

Richards is seeking the help of other wealthy enthusiasts to be able to hold the event. Among his list of potential partners are Rowan Atkinson, Simon Cowell, and Jeremy Clarkson. The SMMT, on the other hand, says that it hasn’t been approached by Richards yet. “We would be interested in any proposal, but at the moment the manufacturers are not in a financial position for the show to go ahead.”

It’s nice to see enthusiasts stepping up to try and preserve one of the oldest international motor shows, but Richards and friends need to come up with a concrete plan if the event will push through in any form in 2010.