Engineering giant - and future F1 entrant - Prodrive is to open its doors in the name of charity, allowing motorsport fans to get up close and personal with some of the most successful cars in history.
The Banbury concern will offer 'access all areas' on 29-30 July in a drive to raise funds for the local Oxford Children's Hospital, and the two days will give fans the chance to see where the company designs and builds the Subaru
World Rally Cars as well as the Aston Martin DBR9 sportscars currently competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours. All workshops will be open so that visitors can see how the WRC engines, gearboxes and electrical systems are made, how the Aston Martin DBR9 and Subaru WRCs are finally assembled, and how the hundreds of complex parts for each car are manufactured.
The Subaru
World Rally Team will be setting its service park up outside the factory, showing how it services Petter Solberg's WRC during championship events, while race and rally cars from Prodrive's 20 years in motorsport will be on static display, including the Subaru Imprezas driven by
Colin McRae and Richard Burns Imprezas, as well as Porsche 911 and MG 6R4 group B rally cars from the 1980s, James Thompson's 1998 Honda Accord Super Touring Car, Alain Menu's BTCC-winning Ford Mondeo and Jenson Button's 2004 BAR F1 car.
Food and entertainment for all ages will be laid on and, for two days only, Subaru
World Rally Team and Aston Martin Racing merchandise will be available at specially discounted prices.
A limited number of tickets are available for each day, priced at £10 for adults and £6 for children under 16, with all the proceeds going to the Oxford Children's Hospital appeal. Under fives will be given access for free. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.prodrive.com/openday.
