F1 : Three Formula 1 teams make motor sport history in Rotterdam

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More than 500.000 motor sport fans went wild yesterday during the Bavaria City Racing event held in Rotterdam city centre.

World famous Formula 1 racing drivers including Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil went all out on the Rotterdam street circuit and left an indelible impression on the madding crowds and the Rotterdam tarmac.

This fourth edition was more spectacular than ever before with three Formula 1 teams in attendance and the public lapping up the amazing Formula 1 demonstrations. The Bavaria City Racing event has grown to become a household name and highly revered tradition within international motor sport thanks to its excellent organization and world class programme.

During a large scale press conference held at 11.15 yesterday morning, the green light was given for the Bavaria City Racing 2008 event in the presence of 150 journalists and ten charming ‘Grid Girls’ from Bavaria. In recent years, this event has grown to become one of the largest motor sport events in Europe.

This year saw spectacular demonstrations from ING Renault F1, Force India F1 and Toyota F1, as well as other pacesetters including Carlo van Dam in the Team Netherlands A1 GP car, Tom Coronel in the Seat WTCC and the talented Renger van der Zande in the GP2.

Out on the tarmac in the glorious sunshine, a healthy start was made to the day with an eco-friendly motoring appearance by means of the ‘New Energy Demo’.

Various eco-friendly cars gave high-profile demonstrations including the GUTTS foundation's ultra-exclusive Lotus Exige Tri-Fuel that was shipped to the Netherlands especially for the Bavaria City Racing event by Dutch motoring organization BOVAG. This fast sports car has a unique engine that runs on a combination of bio-ethanol, petrol and alcohol and is fitted out as an eco-friendly alternative.

'Our children's futures lie in our hands. It's important for everybody to think and act green, and that includes motorsports. ING's compensation for CO2 emissions during our event is a good example of this. This makes the Bavaria City Racing event one of the cleanest days of the year,' says organizer Robert Heilbron from Rotterdam Racing.

Later in the afternoon, the public was seemingly surprised by an even greater emphasis on environmental issues within the world of motor sport, the focus not solely being confined to the New Energy Demo. No one less than Formula 1 legend Heinz-Harald Frentzen thundered at high speed around the track in front of the fans in the world's first hybrid racing car.

Following the New Energy Demo and the prestigious official opening by Rotterdam's popular mayor, Ivo Opstelten, he himself was proclaimed Bavaria City Racing ambassador.

Founders Robert Heilbronn and Herman Vaanholt presented the mayor with a prize for his distinguished contributions to the event. After the celebration the Formula 1 frenzy broke loose. Spectators were treated to an unforgettable Formula 1 experience with appearances by Italian Stallions Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella.

Festivities were complete and international motor sport history had been written once local heroes Carlo van Dam and the public's favourite Robert Doornbos had given their spectacular demonstrations. The grand finale was given by Jarno Trulli who roared around the track one last time accompanied by copious amounts of smoke and rubber to leave his signature on the Rotterdam circuit.

"Today was a very special day. Four years ago, I wouldn't have dared dream about this. Following the first ever edition of the Moscow City Racing event and today, with three Formula 1 teams participating, it's been an unforgettable year for me!' said Robert Heilbron. In conjunction with the main sponsor, Bavaria, Rotterdam Racing has established itself as a highly respected organizer of city racing events culminating this year in the first ever Moscow City Racing event powered by Bavaria held on 13 July. Peer Swinkels, Bavaria board member, also expressed his enthusiasm, 'Following Moscow, this has once again been an extremely successful event here in Rotterdam. Every year, it seems as though the crowds just can't get enough of the spectacle that Bavaria City Racing provides them. We certainly intend to carry on treating Formula 1 fans to fantastic days like today for many years to come."