EJ10: Amazing event, emotional experience.
Jordan Grand Prix's tenth birthday celebrations proved to be a hit with the team boss as well as the thousands of well-wishers who travelled to Donington Park to join the party.
Eddie Jordan admitted that he had not been at all sure that a special event was the way to mark his team's ten years in Formula One but, having witnessed the turn-out and re-lived the memories as his cars past and present took to the Derbyshire track, he quickly changed his mind.
Jordan Grand Prix's tenth birthday celebrations proved to be a hit with the team boss as well as the thousands of well-wishers who travelled to Donington Park to join the party.
Eddie Jordan admitted that he had not been at all sure that a special event was the way to mark his team's ten years in Formula One but, having witnessed the turn-out and re-lived the memories as his cars past and present took to the Derbyshire track, he quickly changed his mind.
''I never dreamed of a celebration like this,'' he said, staggered, ''When my marketing team came to me with the idea of celebrating our first ten years in this way, I had my doubts. But I must say that it was the most amazing event - and quite an emotional experience.''
Circuit officials estimated the attendance on a sunny Sunday afternoon at around 12,000, and the large crowd was treated to some of the best in Formula One entertainment. Joining the race entertainment from various historic F1 series, Jordan laid on a display of some of its most notable cars, from the Andrea de Cesaris-pedalled 191, which began the dynasty, via the race-winning 199, to the current EJ10.
F3000 race winner, and Jordan test driver, Tomas Enge piloted last year's French and Italian GP winner, and was joined on track by race regulars Jarno Trulli and Heinz-Harald Frentzen in this season's car. All three admitted that the event had taken their breath away.
''Only Jordan could hold a party like this,'' claimed Trulli, ''It is fantastic to have all the team, staff, families, sponsors and friends together, and to see all these supporters. It's something else!''
The day naturally ended with one of Eddie Jordan's legendary shindigs, with headlining Irish band Westlife joining the team boss and his scratch band The Buzzin' Hornets on stage. Typically for a Jordan concert, the music went on well past its scheduled curfew as the team boss jammed with his idols Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson from the band Thin Lizzy.
Television coverage of the event will be broadcast on Britain's various ITV regions next weekend.
