Yoong, Bobbi, Pantano to star at Minardi day.
The second annual Minardi Day takes place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola this weekend, as the Faenza squad celebrates its excellent ninth-place finish in the 2002 Formula One constructors' championship.
As a way of thanking sponsors, fans and the media for their unstinting support of the team throughout the season, the team will wheel out a mouth-watering selection of cars and stars, with F1 regular Alex Yoong, F3000 race winner Giorgio Pantano and Minardi test driver Matteo Bobbi all lined-up to conduct passenger rides and demonstrations.
The second annual Minardi Day takes place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola this weekend, as the Faenza squad celebrates its excellent ninth-place finish in the 2002 Formula One constructors' championship.
As a way of thanking sponsors, fans and the media for their unstinting support of the team throughout the season, the team will wheel out a mouth-watering selection of cars and stars, with F1 regular Alex Yoong, F3000 race winner Giorgio Pantano and Minardi test driver Matteo Bobbi all lined-up to conduct passenger rides and demonstrations.
The undoubted stars of the show, however, will be four of the team's unique, two-seater, Formula One cars, which this week arrived in Italy from the team's UK factory in Ledbury. Each of the chassis underwent a brief shakedown run on Thursday afternoon at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, and has been pronounced 'fit to thrill'.
Adding a distinctive element of pre-event excitement to the occasion, world champion Michael Schumacher took to the circuit in a specially painted red two-seater in order to give a number of his close friends the experience of a lifetime. The five-time titleist clearly enjoyed himself, recording 100 laps in the course of the private session.
Fifty lucky passengers, including sponsor representatives, VIP guests, and members of the media, will have a similar opportunity at Minardi Day, where they will experience Formula One performance first-hand around the 4.927km Imola circuit that plays host to the San Marino Grand Prix.
The day will be about more than just the European Minardi F1x2 cars, though, as there will be an action-packed support programme that includes pit-stop simulations, up-and-coming Russian driver Sergey Zlobin carrying out high-speed demonstration runs of the Minardi PS01 F1 car, and a driving display by the Minardi Formula Renault Junior Team.
Spectators are very welcome at what is certain to be a memorable day, with entry to the circuit via the Curva Rivazza and Viale Dante entrances. Access to the grandstands is free while there is a charge of EUR5 to visit the paddock, which is waived in the case of GO KLub subscribers and Minardi Club members.
