TOYOTA FLYING HIGH
Panasonic Toyota Racing took to the skies to mark the start
of the new Formula 1 season in acrobatic style in Melbourne
this week.
Franck Montagny’s high-flying antics capped a busy
build up to the Australian Grand Prix for the team, which
is preparing to start its sixth season in Formula 1 as Toyota
celebrates 50 years in motorsport.
Daring third driver Franck took a passenger ride with the
Royal Australian Air Force Roulette aerobatic team. Just a
day after winning a fitness competition with Aussie rules
football ace Brendan Fevola, Franck was taken high above Albert
Park in a stomach-churning series of rolls and loops but as
the onboard photographs show, he was having fun.
As well as Franck’s adventures, race drivers Ralf Schumacher
and Jarno Trulli were busy welcoming the start of a new season
with several events in and around the city of Melbourne.
Ralf ventured away from the bustle of Melbourne to try his
hand at driving of a different kind, with a 4x4 adventure
at rustic Werribee Park at the wheel of a Toyota LC Prado.
He may be more used to driving on the smooth surfaces of
a Formula 1 track but Ralf still showed his driving skills
on a course used by local police to test their drivers in
the toughest of conditions.
Reigning Australian rally champion Simon Evans was on hand
to offer advice but Ralf quickly pushed the LC Prado to the
limit, easily dealing with a river obstacle and other hazards.
There were no such perils facing Ralf on his next challenge
when he dashed to the Esprit superstore in central Melbourne
for a shopping trip with Panasonic Toyota Racing’s new
official suppliers.
Jarno also sampled some four-wheeled fun when he visited
the former home of motorsport in Melbourne, Calder Park, to
test a Toyota TRD Aurion. After three-time Australian rally
champion Neal Bates showed off the specially-tuned TRD Aurion,
Jarno himself took the wheel to impress the gathered media
with the car’s performance.
On Thursday morning, Jarno was behind the wheel of something
a little smaller at a karting event with Aussie rules football
stars. After demonstrating how it should be done, Jarno gave
the footie players some expert advice on getting the most
out of a kart at the challenging Go Kart Club of Victoria
circuit.
Today, Ralf did his bit for the environment when he attended
a press conference for the Think Before You Drive campaign,
backed by Bridgestone and the FIA Foundation, to stress the
environmental impact of under-inflated tyres
Next up is the serious business of the Australian Grand Prix
and Ralf and Jarno will return to their day jobs tomorrow
at Albert Park, the circuit where both made their Grand Prix
debuts 10 years ago.
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