Formula One races into Basingstoke


Festival Place, Hampshire’s premier shopping destination, is speeding ahead in 2012. Working with the ‘F1 in Schools’ team in support of Team Rush from Robert May School, the shopping centre is bringing the excitement of motor racing to Basingstoke.

On Saturday 28 between 10am-5pm and Sunday 29 11am-4pm January, Basingstoke families can take part in a thrilling event in Porchester Square at Festival Place.
Budding young car designers, Team Rush is holding the event at Festival Place where their mini-racers will go head to head on a 16 metre long track at speeds of more than 60kph! In order to make their dream a reality, Team Rush need to be able to raise enough funds to progress to the next level of the F1 in Schools challenge where they will race their cars again a bid to win the Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Championship trophy.

In true ‘Top Gear’ style, the race will be on to get the fastest time, with a racing league for the weekend. The top prize will be a Formula One canvas from Inside Out, the contemporary art shop in Festival Place.
As if that wasn’t enough, a real Lotus Renault F1 car, simulator and Batak wall used by real F1 drivers to test their reactions will also be on show as Martins Renault dealership support Team Rush’s fundraising efforts.
The F1 in Schools programme aims to educate and engage children with science and technology, to inspire interest in the engineering industry. Chairman and Founder of F1 in Schools, Andrew Denford, explains: “F1 in Schools is fast becoming the only global programme that raises awareness of Formula One among children in every region, in every country. We’re thrilled to bring this initiative to Basingstoke and create a fun learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about the science and technology involved in fast cars.”

Steven Connolly, Centre Director of Festival Place, comments: “For decades, Formula One has been at the centre of British sport. We’re proud to host an event which brings motor engineering to life for children, and support the fund raising efforts of Team Rush. British engineering relies on each new generation being inspired to study the right subjects and F1 in Schools are doing a great job to help.”

So head along to Festival Place in January to see whether you’ve got what it takes to be in poll position! Check out how fast your reaction times are on the race track and race the Team Rush car for just £1!