19 June 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Formula One Racing Makes Its Only Southern Hemisphere Pitstop At Te Papa, 15 July – 1 November 2009

Formula One ™ – The Great Design Race (www.tepapa.govt.nz/f1) will be displayed in the Visa Platinum Gallery at Te Papa, with support of principal partner, Shell V-Power.

‘Te Papa will be the only Southern Hemisphere venue for Formula One ™ – The Great Design Race’, said Te Papa’s Chief Executive, Dr Seddon Bennington. ‘On and off the track, Kiwis have excelled at the highest levels of this prestigious, high-pressured sport and this exhibition celebrates the New Zealand contribution to Formula One.’

Nine Formula One cars will be on display, including the incredibly successful Cooper T51; Brabham BT20; McLaren-Honda MP4/4; Williams FW14B; and the mighty Ferrari F2004. The exhibition traces the design and technological innovations that have driven the sport from the 1950s to the 2000s, as well as the personalities that front it.

Visitors will get close to the action with a high-octane events programme featuring expert floortalks by former McLaren mechanic Walter Wilmott, and renowned motorsport commentator Bob McMurray. There will also be race car simulators, and special display cars, such as McLaren’s M8A Can-Am car, the Hulme Super Car, and A1Team New Zealand’s A1GP car ‘Black Beauty’. Full events details are listed at the website, www.tepapa.govt.nz/f1.

The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s first Formula One Grand Prix victory at the 1959 US Grand Prix, and the story of winning driver Bruce McLaren, whose legacy lives on in Formula One racing with Team McLaren featuring in the starting grid of every major Formula One race since 1966. New Zealand’s other greats, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon, are also celebrated. All three began their careers at New Zealand racing events, and their early victories here laid the basis for their international success – a pattern which continues today with upcoming drivers like Brendon Hartley.

Among the world’s most popular sports, Formula One is watched by over 350 million people each race weekend. The exhibition’s principal partner, Shell, has been involved with Grand Prix racing since the 1930s, and their technical partnership with Ferrari is considered the most successful partnership in Formula One.

Shell NZ retail general manager Mark Forsyth said, ‘Shell and Ferrari have forged a fantastic partnership on the race track, and we’re thrilled to have been part of Te Papa’s great team bringing About Formula One ™ – The Great Design Race to New Zealand.’

Associate Sponsor Bridgestone is the sole tyre supplier in the world’s foremost single-seater motorsport categories, including Formula One, and was instrumental in securing the Ferrari F2004 for the Te Papa exhibition.

As part of Visa’s partnership with Te Papa, Visa cardholders will be able to pre-purchase tickets online at www.visaentertainment.co.nz to avoid the queues – the presale commences at 9 am Wednesday 8 July.

About Formula One ™ – The Great Design Race
The Formula One ™ – The Great Design Race tour is organised by the Design Museum, London, and the exhibition is curated by Alicia Pivaro. New Zealand content has been developed by Te Papa in association with The Bruce McLaren Trust.
Formula One, Formula 1 and F1 are trademarks belonging to Formula One licensing B.V. Used by kind permission of Formula One Administration Limited.

About Shell V-Power
Shell V-Power is a high quality performance fuel available exclusively from Shell service stations throughout New Zealand. The international Shell scientists who develop Ferrari’s Formula 1 motor racing fuels have taken what they’ve learnt on the track to create Shell V-Power’s unique formulation. It is designed to help keep new engines running like new for longer, and restore older engines to peak condition.

Formula One™ – The Great Design Race
15 July – 1 November 2009
The Visa Platinum Gallery, Level 4
Te Papa

Adult, $12; child (5-15 years), $5; child (under 5 years), free; concessions, $9.50
Family group prices available

ENDS