Donington Rumbles to Thunder In The ParkDonington Park played host to Minardi's second 'Thunder in the Park' event today. An idea of Minardi Team Boss Paul Stoddart, the day brings some of the excitement of Formula One that bit closer to the fans. And unlike so many things surrounding the F1 circus the Thunder in the Park event caters for all budgets. £10 gets you through the gate (accompanied under 15 year olds free) and straight into the paddock for an up close and personal look at the workings of an F1 pit, the motorhomes, garages and cars not to mention a spot of autogrpah hunting. If your budget can stretch a little further, say £64,990in some cases, you could find yourself sitting in the rear of a Minardi two seater doing battle over a 10 lap demonstration race. And where does this money go? Well quite frankly after their openness and giving up their holiday time for free I doubt few of us would begrudge it going to the Minardi team to fuel their ailing campaign but no, all today's profits were for charity - this year being split between the Downs Syndrome Association and Prof. Sid Watkins' Brain and Spine Research Foundation. This year's big draw was no doubt the return behind the wheel of 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill, sans silly beard and looking tremendously fit and healthy though a return to competitive racing was fully denied though the whispers were as evident in this paddock as any other, charity event or not. Beleaguered Minardi Alex Yoong is looking increasingly likely to be replaced and talk turned to who that replacement would be. Saturday saw American Brian Herta take to the track with an impressive set of test times though these were bettered today by last year's F3000 Champion Justin Wilson, who's lanky 6ft3 frame remains the main stumbling block against his F1 career taking off. Supporting the show saw the return of Superkart racing to Donington and a round of the Euro F3000, impressively and comfortably won by Czech Jaroslav Janis, a name for the future? However, it was seeing a Formula One car turn a wheel on the Donington tarmac that warmed the heart of spectators, a number of who like myself had been privileged to witness the European Grand Prix 1993. Donington Park's natural ampitheatre lends itself as an amazing venue to witness the sights and sounds of Formula One. Race speed laps were demonstrated along with pitstops but not before the innovative two seaters came out to give competition winners and high bidders the thrill of being in an F1 car. Those given outings included singer Gabrielle who's voice was resonating after the experience as she proclaimed "it was wicked, just wicked" though for many people the trembling started before they even got in the car. Nervous ITV roving reporter Beverley Turner cheekily described Damon Hill as being "clearly rusty" after he sped her round for a couple of laps. Beverley's Thunder in the Park experience will feature during ITV's Hungarian coverage next weekend. Now normally Ms Turner's pieces involve her meeting a local lovely and visiting nice shops, therefore I am deeply hurt I was not called as I would have welcomed her on my visit to the Co-op, hell I might have even pushed the boat out and gone to Tesco. Ms Turner wasn't the only ITV team member present, Tony Jardine and Louise Goodman were also present but it was the tones of a certain Mr. Murray Walker which truly entertained the crowd. On true Murray form, Murray got totally sidelined whilst talking through a lap of the circuit to include a story about WWI prisoners of War held at Donington Manor bungling an escape attempt, not to mention describing the 8 Minardi two-seaters as "easy to tell apart because they are all exactly identical, that isn't to say the one in front is unique apart from the one behind, because each one has a different T colour". The award for best Murray Moment, 11th August 2002 must be his statement: "I've been in a two seater but of course I felt completely safe because it was made by McLaren" Bring back Murray, please. The V10, 760bhp Minardi two seaters completed qualifying laps on Saturday and Sunday's grid lined up as follows:
[1] Mark Webber Each driver carried a passenger, the majority business men who'd bought the seat through charity auctions including Jonathan Frost, millionaire phone tycoon who had also bought a seat last year when he was driven by Nigel Mansell and involved in a last corner 'excursion' over Paul Stoddart and Louise Goodman's car. He obviously wasn't put off and was chauffeured this year by hot favourite Mark Webber. F3000 driver Giorgio Pantano had former heavyweight boxing Champion Chris Eubank as passenger who described himself as feeling "terrified" before the event and christened his driver "Tyson" due to his determined jaw. The only lady to take part was Beverley Turner, tucked up behind David Saalens. The 10 lap race started with a rolling start for safety and saw Webber hotly followed by a very keen looking Pantano. There was an extra contention though, all the cars would be called in for a 10 second pit stop, as Stoddart said beforehand he was sure they all must have been naughty at some point over the weekend. Despite claims by Pantano he'd be driving at about 80% capacity the cars lived up to expectations and reached speeds of 170mph along Starkey's Straight though Mark Webber must have been getting too keen as he spun into the kitty litter at Coppice Corner and stood with passenger Jonathan Frost to watch Giorgio Pantano take victory with Christian Albers in second and Alex Yoong in third. Not that this is where the entertainment ended, everyone was invited back to the pits for a two hour concert where Damon promised to strut his stuff. Thunder in the Park is a wonderful concept, a superb chance for fans to get a closer look at the workings of a Formula One team so I hope Minardi will survive and more people will wing their way to Donington in 2003 for Thunder In The Park 3. © Rebecca Hobbs (c)RH PR 2007
|