BMW's Pit Lane Park halts in Rome this weekend

There won't be a Grand Prix this weekend, but the BMW Sauber F1 Team will cause a stir, nevertheless: the Pit Lane Park will make a special guest appearance in the heart of Italy's capital, Rome. And on Friday, a local hero will be involved.

Following its highly acclaimed debut in 2006, the BMW Sauber F1 Team's high-tech adventure park today represents a Formula One constant. In 2007, the park that offers its visitors the chance of experiencing the Formula One fascination at close range, has already inspired the public in Kuala Lumpur and Barcelona. To date, however, the replica of a pit lane has never been erected outside the scope of a GP weekend. Therefore, the event in Rome will be the first time that this is the case.

Motor racing enthusiasts visiting the Pit Lane Park situated in the "Stadio dei Marmi", located next to the Olympic Stadium, will have the opportunity to learn more about Formula One and the BMW Sauber F1 Team in numerous interesting garages. They can touch original components from the racing cars and in the "Pit Stop Challenge" visitors will take the position of a true Formula One mechanic. In addition, visitors can look forward to experiencing quite a few other attractions.

A special highlight can be witnessed on the park's 90-metre track. In Rome, Sebastian Vettel and Nick Heidfeld will perform spectacular "donuts" at the wheel of a Formula One car. Furthermore, the 2006 Formula BMW Germany Champion Christian Vietoris will demonstrate his skills at the wheel of the Formula BMW FB02. And for the first time, local hero Alessandro Zanardi will make a Pit Lane Park appearance: he will drive the BMW 320si WTCC he also races in the 2007 World Touring Car Championship.