http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21154.html FEBRUARY 2, 2009 Bid for F1 passes! Formula 1 fans are being given an unprecedented opportunity to experience a European Grand Prix of their choice from within the Formula 1 paddock as guests of one of the teams. For nine consecutive weeks from Monday February 9, fans can choose their favourite European Grand Prix and bid for a pair of exclusive paddock passes, including team hospitality, normally reserved for sponsors and VIP guests. The auction takes place on www.tomprycememorial.com and all the money raised will go to create a permanent memorial to Tom Pryce in his home town of Ruthin, North Wales. Tom Pryce was the greatest Welshman ever to race a Grand Prix car, combining natural speed with sensational car control that invited comparisons with legends such as Jochen Rindt and Ronnie Peterson. He is best remembered for becoming the only Welshman to have won a Formula 1 race, the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1975, on a day when his pace was simply sensational. Tragically he was killed in a freak accident during the 1977 South African Grand Prix, at just 27 years of age. Fellow Welshman, David Richards, who also has roots in Ruthin, is a member of the fund raising committee. Richards said: Tom was an extraordinarily talented racing driver who remained true to his roots in Wales where, to this day, he retains a strong following amongst his many fans. I am extremely proud to chair the Trust and support its plans to honour Tom with a permanent memorial in his home town of Ruthin in the Vale of Clwyd, an area he loved so much. Bernie Ecclestone and the Formula 1 teams have offered their support by providing the paddock passes and hospitality. The following passes are available: McLaren Mercedes, Spanish GP (May 8-10); Force India, Monaco GP (May 21-24); Toyota, Turkish GP (June 5-7); Williams, British GP (June 19-21); Renault, German GP (July 10-12); BMW Sauber, Hungarian GP (July 24-26); Scuderia Toro Rosso, European GP Valencia (August 21-23); Red Bull Racing, Belgian GP (August 28-20) and Ferrari, Italian GP (September 11-13).
It's cool, but I don't get the "normally reserved for sponsors and VIP guests": AFAIK anybody can buy pit passes at about 5k a piece which give you exactly that kind of access. So any auction price below 5k is a "steal". Well, sortof, kinda...
