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Following a strong response to the recent announcement that Formula One fans would have the opportunity to purchase a passenger ride in a Minardi F1x2 car at the Hungaroring, on August 23-24, the Ledbury-based team investigated the possibility of staging a programme at Silverstone, on July 13.
Before the event was publicised, however, it had sold out, encouraging F1x2 team owner, Paul Stoddart, and his enthusiastic crew to consider staging a second Silverstone programme, later in the year, in order to cater for the obvious demand.
Individual passenger rides at Silverstone and the Hungaroring are on an “arrive-and-ride” basis. The per-lap charge is based on the length of the circuit, and also covers a portion of event costs, including such essentials as operating staff, tyres, fuel and engine mileage.
A single-lap ride around Silverstone is priced at £1,500, two laps at £2,250, and a three-lap ride, at £3,000. Passenger programmes can also be tailored to suit individual requirements, although this will obviously be reflected in the cost.
There are still some places available on the Hungaroring programme, with prospective passengers again able to purchase a one, two or three-lap ride around the challenging circuit near Budapest, which is home to the Hungarian Grand Prix.
These are priced at 2,000 Euros, 3,500 Euros and 4,500 Euros respectively. Drivers for the event will be Zsolt Baumgartner, Patrick Friesacher, Chanoch Nissany and team owner, Paul Stoddart.
“We’ve been very pleased, and more than a little surprised, by the response to our idea of making Minardi F1x2 passenger rides available to the general public,” commented Paul Stoddart. “We received a significant number of enquiries after announcing the initial Hungaroring programme, and on that basis, felt a Silverstone event might be well-received by British-based Formula One fans wanting to purchase a two-seater ride."
"We duly secured a date for the circuit, but before we could publicise it, began to receive enquiries, and shortly thereafter, had filled the passenger roster. As a result, we’re now looking at the possibility of staging an additional event.”