Monaco Or Corby - The Formula One Choice Is Yours
Published: 17th May 2005
BMW Power Festival Brings Formula One To Corby
There will be only two places in the World next Sunday afternoon, 22nd May, where fans will get the opportunity to see a Formula One car in action. One is the classic street circuit of Monaco and the other is the Rockingham circuit near Corby in Northamptonshire where one of the BMW Williams F1 racing cars will take to the track.
The first ever BMW Power Festival at Rockingham circuit on the 21st and 22nd May will include the demonstration by the BMW WilliamsF1 Team along with demonstrations of the Bavarian company’s 1999 Le Mans winning sports car, the current World Touring Car Championship BMW 320i saloon and wheel to wheel racing by the Grand Prix stars of the future in the Formula BMW UK Championship.
While the Northamptonshire town of Corby may not have the harbourside ambience of Monte Carlo, it does at least have some of the yachts. Luxury boatbuilder Fairline build luxury motor yachts in the shadow of the Rockingham facility and can name a number of Formula One stars among their clients
It may be some time before the competitors in the Formula BMW UK Championship can afford to join the list, but the drivers, as young as 15-years-old, have big aspirations. The top drivers from the British series will join those from the Asian, German and American series for a Formula BMW Championship World Final at the Bahrain International Circuit in December and the Champion will get to test a BMW WilliamsF1 Team car.
The youngsters will take part in two races on the Sunday. If their spectacular visit to the circuit in 2004, in the inaugural year of the UK series is anything to go by, the exciting racing will be a real crowd pleaser.
The Rockingham circuit is the home of the BMW Performance Centre and this is the first race meeting held jointly by BMW UK and Rockingham. As well as a full racing programme and demonstrations by the cream of the marque’s racing machinery, the public will have the opportunity to view the entire BMW product range.
Tickets prices are £15 (adv) or £20 (gate) for adults on Sunday 22nd May and £5 (gate only) on Saturday 21st May. Children 16 and under receive free admission. Anyone purchasing an advance ticket will be entered into a free draw, with the lucky winner (must be over 18) receiving a lap of the track in the brand new BMW M5 course car driven by European Touring Car Champion and BMW WilliamsF1 test driver Andy Priaulx.
Further information can be obtained from www.rockingham.co.uk
