The perfect Formula for the perfect half term
This February half-term there’s only one place to be, as Mercedes-Benz World gears-up for the upcoming F1 season by celebrating Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 World Championship win in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 car. With a series of high-octane events guaranteed to whet the appetite of local children and inspire a generation of future racing champions, there will be presentations and exhibitions on F1, motorsport and AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz throughout the week, all designed to be educational as well as exciting.
Daily talks on AMG will take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm at the AMG Themefield. Children will be treated to an interactive overview of the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz and taken through its 40-year evolution from a tuning firm to a company which produces successful racing sports cars which form the basis of the medical and safety cars in F1.
Meanwhile, at the ‘Fascination of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport’ exhibition kids can see Lewis Hamilton’s 2007 Formula 1 racing car while parents will be impressed by the Mercedes-Benz W 154; the actual car raced by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, five times World Champion. Four original racing engines give a rare insight into the workings of motorsport vehicles, while an authentic pit stop simulation, steep-banked curve and several audio stations take you to the centre of the action.
Half term marks the start of Mercedes-Benz World’s coverage of the F1 season. 2009 will see key Grands Prix races shown on a large screen, where visitors can enjoy that race-side spirit that so often gets lost when watching from home.
In addition to an in-depth look at motorsport, the half term holiday entertainment will also include opportunities for budding Lewis Hamiltons to get behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class or smart with a Kids Driving Experience. And where better to take your very first drive than alongside the world-famous Brooklands race track? As long as children are over 4’11’’ (1.5m) tall, they can take a pit stop at Mercedes-Benz World to be the envy of their friends.
A fully qualified instructor will take them out in a dual-controlled Mercedes-Benz or smart car, where they will be taught how to handle and drive the car in a safe and controlled environment.
Whilst your young ones take a break from behind the wheel, the Silver Arrows Display Team will be entertaining the crowds with dramatic daily performances guaranteed to send pulses racing. Pushing the power and performance of AMG to its limits with precision driving skills on the Handling Circuits and Wet Skid Circle, the drivers will be power-sliding, pirouetting and overtaking to the awe of crowds.
Peter O’Halloran, managing director of Mercedes-Benz World, said: “Lewis Hamilton’s success both on and off the track has been phenomenal; he is living proof that it pays to start young. In honour of Lewis, we’ll be marking the start of the F1 season – and the half term holiday - by celebrating his success as World Champion. This half term promises to be our best yet, with a calendar of events packed full of exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy.”
To find out more information about any of the events at Mercedes-Benz World, visit mercedes-benzworld.co.uk Mercedes-Benz World is open daily from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day), and admission is free.
AMG Passenger Experience – £30 for 15 minutes
AMG Experience – £170 for 1 hour
AMG Advanced – £470 for 3 hours
Off-Road Passenger Experience – £30 for 15 minutes
Off-Road Experience – £110 for 1 hour
Mercedes-Benz of your Choice - £85 for 30 minutes
Kids Driving Experience - £40 for 30 minutes.
Kids Driving Experience - £75 for 1 hour
