Formula One fans are being given an unprecedented opportunity to experience a European Grand Prix of their choice from within the Formula One paddock as guests of one of the teams.

For nine consecutive weeks from Monday 9 February, fans can choose their favourite European Grand Prix and bid for a pair of exclusive paddock passes, including team hospitality, normally reserved for sponsors and VIP guests. The auction takes place at tomprycememorial.com and all the money raised will go to create a permanent memorial to Tom Pryce in his home town of Ruthin, North Wales.

Tom Pryce was the greatest Welshman ever to race a Grand Prix car, combining natural speed with sensational car control that invited comparisons with legends such as Jochen Rindt and Ronnie Peterson. He is best remembered for becoming the only Welshman to have won a Formula One race, the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1975, on a day when his pace was simply sensational. Tragically he was killed in a freak accident during the 1977 South African Grand Prix, at just 27 years of age.

Fellow Welshman, David Richards, who also has roots in Ruthin, is a member of the fund raising committee. Richards said: "Tom was an extraordinarily talented racing driver who remained true to his roots in Wales where, to this day, he retains a strong following amongst his many fans. I am extremely proud to chair the Trust and support its plans to honour Tom with a permanent memorial in his home town of Ruthin in the Vale of Clwyd, an area he loved so much."

The events and hosts are as follows:

Spain (8-10 May) - McLaren Mercedes
Monaco (21-24 May) - Force India
Turkey (5-7 June) - Toyota
Great Britain (19-21 June) - Williams
Germany (10-12 July) - Renault
Hungary (24-26 July) - BMW Sauber
Valencia (21-23 August) - Toro Rosso
Belgium (28-30 August) - Red Bull Racing
Italy (11-13 September) - Ferrari

The Tom Pryce Memorial Trust would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone and the Formula One teams for their generous support in providing the paddock passes and hospitality.

Readers can access the auction at tomprycememorial.com

Picture courtesy of the Tom Pryce Memorial website