110,000 attend Bavaria City Racing Dublin despite inclement weather

Over 110,000 people attended the Bavaria City Racing Dublin motorsport demonstration Juneon Sunday despite a unseasonably cold downpour in the capital. The event successfully transformed Dublin City centre into a spectacular race track providing the citizens of Dublin with five full hours of free non-stop entertainment.

Over 70 vehicles were involved in the Bavaria City Racing motorsport demonstration including former F1 World Champion Jenson Button who wowed the crowds in his Vodafone McLaren F1 car. Dublin was filled with the sights, sounds and smells of F1 for the first time ever.

Dublin city’s iconic landmarks witnessed an array of motorsport action never seen within the city limits before including Formula 1, WRC, Superbikes, SuperCars, GP2, Drifters and Stunt vehicles.

Performing at the event were Jenson Button (Vodafone McLaren F1) Giedo van der Garde (Caterham F1), Eugene Laverty (Aprilia), Adam Carroll (Le Mans Spyker), Aron Smith (Motorbase Performance), Eugene Donnelly (Mini WRC), Terry Grant (Monster Street Mania) and a host of others.

Jenson Button, Vodafone McLaren F1 driver, commented, “The main thing for us was putting on a show so the weather didnt really make much of a difference. It was great to see such a big crowd despite the weather. This event is great for motorsports fans in Ireland, they get to hear and see a F1 car and just went crazy.”. Jenson got up to speeds of 100mph/160kph on the streets of Dublin today.

Peer Swinkels, board member of Bavaria N.V., explains: “We’re extremely proud of having been able to bring the top in motor sport to Dublin. After Rotterdam and Moscow, the city centre of Dublin and its remarkable locations offer a magnificent new décor to treat the crowd to a true Formula One spectacle. As an independent family-owned brewery, Bavaria has the opportunity to sail its own course and to invest in an important export market such as Dublin, even in these difficult economic times. The participation of the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes F1 Team and top driver Jenson Button has turned this into an unforgettable first edition.

Gavin Collins, Event Director for Bavaria City Racing Dublin commented, “Today’s event has been a phenomenal success. The people of Dublin have turned up in their thousands and created a real festival atmosphere in the city. Bavaria City Racing has given every spectator a unique Formula 1 experience and shown that Bavaria City Racing has a huge future in Ireland.”

Linda McGarry, Marketing & Sales Director for Bavaria City Racing Dublin commented, “Today Dublin and Ireland has reminded the world that it can successfully host large sporting events. The international spotlight shone brightly on Dublin today and the city delivered in spades. Huge credit must go to our partners Fáilte Ireland, Dublin City Council and lead sponsor Bavaria who have made this event a reality.”

The WORLD FEED of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will be available from 17:30h GMT. Video material is also available on Worldlink: www.eurovision.net/worldlink