Minardi Day ready to roll

YOONG, BOBBI AND PANTANO TO STAR AT MINARDI DAY

It is now only two days until the second annual Minardi Day takes place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. This exciting event is intended both as a celebration of the Faenza squad's excellent ninth-place finish in the 2002 Formula One World Constructors' Championship, and as a way of thanking sponsors, fans and the media for their unstinting support of the team throughout the season.

The undoubted stars of the show will be four of the team's unique, two-seater Formula One cars, which have now arrived in Italy from the team's UK factory, in Ledbury, England. 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 distinct element of pre-event excitement to the occasion, Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, today took to the Fiorano circuit in a specially painted red European Minardi two-seater in order to give a number of his close friends the experience of a lifetime. The five-times World Champion 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 4.927-km Imola circuit that is home to the San Marino Grand Prix. The driver line-up for the event includes KL Minardi Formula One driver, Alex Yoong, the team's Formula One tester, Matteo Bobbi, F3000 frontrunner, Giorgio Pantano, and team boss, Paul Stoddart.

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 Formula One car, and a driving display by the Minardi Formula Renault Junior Team. Fittingly, the day's activities will conclude with a team photocall.

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 extrances. Access to the grandstands is free while there is a charge of 5 Euros to visit the paddock, which is waived in the case of GO KLub subscribers and Minardi Club members.

-minardi-