27/04/2006
NEWS STORY
People's Champion Nigel Mansell has confirmed that he will make his debut appearance at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed on 7.8.9. July.
Britain's best-loved racer is set to wow the British motor racing public, as he drives a series of demonstration runs on the famous Goodwood hillclimb course during all three days of the event.
Said Nigel: "I am delighted to be invited to Goodwood, as I have heard many good things about the event. I am really looking forward to driving some of my old cars again, and being able to put on a show for the British fans who have always supported me so brilliantly."
The former Grand Prix and Indycar Champion – and the only man to win these titles in consecutive years – is expected to drive several of the F1 cars from his illustrious career, including a JPS-liveried Lotus 91 from his early career, (the last Colin Chapman GP-winning car), plus one of his famous Williams GP cars. Goodwood is also hopeful that one or two other famous ex-Mansell racers will be confirmed shortly.
"We are absolutely thrilled that Nigel Mansell has agreed to come to Goodwood for the first time," Said the Earl of March, who is the driving force behind the Festival of Speed. "He is an all-time British hero and a great ambassador for motor sport, so it is entirely appropriate that he is here this year to help celebrate our theme, which is ‘Racing for Glory – a Century of Grands Prix'. I am sure that his many fans will relish the opportunity to see him drive his famous old cars, and that they'll give him a fantastic welcome, just as they always have."
Joining Nigel in action on the hill will be his racing sons, Greg and Leo, who will drive their 140bhp Formula BMW cars, sponsored by Unipart. Both are currently contesting the prestigious Formula BMW UK Championship series, which is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. Nigel plays an ambassadorial role in the series, working with the BMW Education and Coaching Programme to help talented young drivers cope with the various demands of professional motor racing and hopefully groom some F1 stars of the future.
The brothers are supported by Festival sponsor Unipart Automotive, the UK's largest independent supplier of aftermarket automotive components. The move reaffirms a long-standing relationship, as Unipart backed Nigel throughout his Formula 3 years from 1979. As well as watching the boys drive their Unipart-liveried cars, visitors to the Festival will have the chance to meet Leo and Greg on Unipart's exhibition stand and get a close look at the cars in which the boys are competing during the 20-race 2006 championship.
Said Unipart Automotive marketing director Andrew Daly: "It's wonderful to extend our motor sport portfolio by supporting Leo and Greg. In 1979 Unipart backed a talented young driver – and look what happened to him! We are now proud to be able to support Nigel's sons as they embark on an equally exciting journey."