OORNBOS SETS THE STREETS OF ROTTERDAM ALIGHT
Robert Doornbos introduced his Dutch fans to the Champ Car World Series yesterday with a spectacular live demonstration on the streets of Rotterdam.
Doornbos climbed behind the wheel of a previous-generation Lola Champ Car for the Bavaria City Racing demonstration at the Dutch port city.
The Champ Car World Series will return to Europe this week for its first ever event in Belgium, staged at the former home of the Belgian Grand Prix - Zolder - on August 26.
One week later, it will be time for the Dutch fans to cheer on their local star when Doornbos competes in the Bavaria Champ Car Grand Prix at the famous Assen circuit in northern Holland on September 2.
"There was an unbelievable reaction from the fans today. I think there were nearly 1/2 a million people lining the course - It was fully packed," Doornbos said.
"Initially I went round the course waving to the fans but when I got in the Champ Car, I really smoked it up right the way to the end.
"They gave me brand new tyres, but you could see the wire poking through the rubber by the time I got to the finish. After I jumped out I had the chance to meet a lot of the fans - it really was incredible.
"The whole day was fantastic for Champ Car. It is a really popular series on television and the fans are looking forward to seeing the series live in Europe.
"The Dutch fans have been very excited about my results this year and I am sure there are going to be thousands of them coming to Zolder and Assen.
"It is great to be able to give something back to the fans who have supported me all year."
The Champ Car World Series was joined at today's street event by cars from the Formula 1 World Championship, World Touring Car Championship and A1 Grand Prix.
Doornbos believes the European fans will be pleasantly surprised by Champ Car when they arrive at the circuit.
"A lot of fans from this part of the world have been to Formula 1 races before, but they have no idea that they are going to be able to get so close to the drivers, the teams and the cars," he said.
"I think everyone is going to be very excited about the fan friendly nature of the race weekends. I'm not sure how many French fans are going to come over so I think Sebastien may have a tough time."
With two race victories under his belt for Minardi Team USA, Doornbos is keen to add to that tally on European soil over the next two weeks.
"As a team we are pushing very hard. We were really the underdogs at the start of the season, but the guys have seen what we are capable of," Doornbos said.
"We still make some small mistakes but at the end of the day I can deliver. I think we can be very competitive at both tracks and I am really looking forward to it."
