Crowds check out F1

SHOPPERS at Dandenong Plaza couldn’t avoid being hit by Grand Prix fever as a hype-generating Formula One Roadshow swept through the centre last week.
The 2006 Vodaphone F1 Roadshow showcased the best in Formula One and V8 Supercar racing with displays and demonstrations of vehicles and appearances by drivers including Supercar driver Steven Richards.
The roadshow kicked-off on Friday, 10 February and finished on Sunday, 12 February with thousands of racing fans and curious shoppers drawn to the Centre Court display.
Dandenong Plaza marketing manager Julie MacDougall said the event was considered a great success and attracted more than 5500 people in three days.
“Racing enthusiasts of all ages came to see the Formula One and V8 show cars and to try their hand at the Pitstop Challenge,” she said.
“There were lots of give-aways including official F1 merchandise and passes to the Foster’s Australian Grand Prix in April.”
Ms MacDougall said Tourism Minister John Pandazopoulos, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Tim Bamford and V8 Supercar driver Steven Richards were the notable attendees over the three days.
She said the trio took part in the PitStop Challenge – an event to see who could change a tyre the fastest on Michael Schumacher’s F1 Ferrari showcar.