Champ Car's F1x2 programme has been a hit with lucky participants all season, but the biggest surprise of a private program for Bridgestone Firestone North America and Champ Car World Series guests at the MSR-Houston track wasn't the excited reaction of the 40 passengers, but that of the two drivers, Katherine Legge and Nelson Philippe.

While the wide-eyed look of passengers who experienced the 2.4-mile permanent road course first hand was almost guaranteed, both drivers also came back from each run with a wide grin.

With regular high-speed 'chauffeurs' Zsolt Baumgartner, Patrick Friesacher and Mario Dominguez unable to be present for the Texas event, Legge and Philippe were strapped into the cockpits of the two-seater chassis in Houston. Legge, of course, is no stranger to F1, having tested for the Minardi team at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome almost exactly two years ago, and the Briton was happy to be back in action with Paul Stoddart's machinery.

“It was really nice to be able to give people we work with a reward for all the effort they put in during the season and, at the same time, help them gain an understanding of what actually happens on track,” Legge said, “When you're driving race cars all the time, you can easily start to take the performance for granted after a while but, when you see how excited the passengers are after they get out of the F1x2 cars, you're reminded how amazing it is. They've clearly had the experience of a lifetime.

"From a purely personal point of view, however, it's been a great day, and I can only thank Paul for the opportunity to drive the F1x2 car. Nelson and I have had a blast!”

For Frenchman Philippe, the day provided a first taste of F1 performance but, like Legge, he quickly got to grips with the quirky machines and, by the end, seemed as impressed with the experience as his passengers.

“It's been a great experience and a lot of fun – I particularly enjoyed scaring the s**t out of certain people!" he laughed, "Despite that, all the passengers got out of the car with big smiles and were obviously very impressed with what they had experienced.”

The day also brought the curtain down on the F1x2 programme for 2007, in which the cars have appeared at 13 different venues on two continents and carried nearly 500 passengers. Judging by the response at Champ Car events this year, the programme has been a big hit with the fans and, after a brief - but much-needed - end-of-season break, Stoddart has promised that the team will be back for more of the same in 2008.

“As usual, it's been another fantastic performance from the Minardi F1x2 Team here in Houston," the Australian admitted, "They've been terrific throughout the year, and I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone on the team. It's been just great to have the opportunity to entertain our friends from Bridgestone Firestone North America here today, as well as a select band of Champ Car personnel, as both organisations are always exceptionally helpful to us. I think today's F1x2 passenger experience may also have changed one or two perceptions about race cars and race drivers, so well done to everybody.”