Coulthard set to thrill fans in Jalan Bukit Bintang

APRIL promises to be a mouth-watering one for motor racing fans in Malaysia. Besides the annual Malaysian Grand Prix, which takes place from April 8 to 10 in Sepang, motor racing enthusiasts will also be able to take part in the first ever Red Bull Racing F1 running show car event in Malaysia, one weekend before the actual race day, right in the heart of the city.

Formula 1 legend and former Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard will entertain the shopping crowd tomorrow by giving a demonstration of the awesome power of a Formula 1 car along the famous thoroughfare of Jalan Bukit Bintang against the unusual backdrop of megamalls like Pavillion, Starhill and Lot 10. The Red Bull Speed Street show car event will last about an hour.

Ready to roll: Coulthard will be at the wheel of the new Red Bull Racing car, the RB7, during the event.

The public can expect manoeuvres such as short sprints, burnouts, engine breaks and donuts, which one won’t get to see often in actual F1 races. The performance area will be along the stretch of Jalan Bukit Bintang, starting from The Westin hotel and Pavillion to the Jalan Sultan Ismail junction after Lot 10. This will mark the first time that Austrian energy drink company Red Bull is organising an F1 show car event in Malaysia and this exciting event marks the launch of the blue and silver Red Bull in Malaysia.

The blue and silver Red Bull was previously unavailable for sale in the country, but is now available in more than 70 clubs and restaurants around Kuala Lumpur, as well as most major supermarkets and convenience stores. The Austrian energy drink company, which is fast gaining in popularity amongst F1 aficionados — thanks to the double championship winning feat of Red Bull Racing in 2010. They are expecting over 50,000 spectators to line the estimated 500m stretch.

To ensure that the safety of the audience is not compromised, safety measures and precautions will be in place in accordance with Red Bull Racing’s safety standards. A series of pre-event activations can also be expected in the lead up to the event, which is part of the build up festivities to the Malaysian Grand Prix in the city. Red Bull is also working closely with Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd (SIC) and Pavillion Kuala Lumpur to organise the unique show car event, and the public will be able to get up close with the Red Bull Racing car from today outside Pavillion while it is being set up.

There will also be a rare Audi R8 LMS and a R8 Spyder on display, as well as Red Bull Racing and Puma motorsport merchandises on sale, while Sony Computer Entertainment will be setting up a gaming area featuring the Red Bull X2010 supercar in its PS3 game GT5, making the event a real motor racing extravaganza. Hannah Yong, SIC’s chief marketing officer said: “We are proud to be able to collaborate with Red Bull to bring such an exciting event to the people of Kuala Lumpur. “Hopefully, this will give more Malaysians an opportunity to experience F1 and will raise excitement levels for the Malaysia Grand Prix, which takes place a week later at Sepang.”

-thestar online.