Balloon floats F1 fanfare

A giant hot air balloon in the shape of a Formula One car will become a familiar sight in the skies over Melbourne, promoting this year's Australian Grand Prix as a highlight among the state's busy sporting calendar.

"This brilliant creation provides us with an opportunity to take a piece of the Grand Prix to locations across Australia," said CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Tim Bamford.

"Australians' love for Formula One extends far beyond Melbourne, yet it's not always possible for people to come and appreciate the event in person. With this balloon, we hope to be able to create excitement in regional centres across the land and enable people everywhere to join in the celebrations as we count down the weeks to the grand prix."

Resplendent in AGP livery the balloon comprises more than four kilometres of fabric and uses 32 kilometres of thread. It is 36 metres long and occupies a space of 3113 cubic metres, and has a top speed of 14.5 kilometres per hour.

The four-day F1 festival starts March 30, featuring V8 Utes, Carrera Cup, Formula 3 and historic racing. The F1 cars come out for practise on Friday and qualifying on Saturday. See the AGP's race schedule, below.

Look for more Foster's Australian Grand Prix news at CarPoint or visit the official website here

0950 – 1005
 V8 SUPERCAR Prizewinners' hot laps (15 mins)

1020 – 1040
 DODO FORMULA 3 Practice (20 mins)

1055 – 1115
 CARRERA CUP Practice (20 mins)

1125 – 1145
 THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Practice – F1 car & BMW (20 mins)

1155 – 1215
 REPCO HISTORIC Demonstration (20 mins)

1230 – 1300
 V8 SUPERCAR Practice (30 mins)

1315 – 1335
 CARRERA CUP Qualifying (20 mins)

1350 – 1410
 DODO FORMULA 3 Qualifying (20 mins)

1420 – 1430
 THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Demonstration #1 (10 mins)

1445 – 1505
 CLEANEVENT V8 UTES Qualifying (20 mins)

1520 – 1540
 CARRERA CUP Race 1 (8 laps)

1555 – 1640
 V8 SUPERCAR Qualifying (45 mins)

1700 – 1720
 DODO FORMULA 3 Race 1 (8 laps)

1740 – 1800
 CLEANEVENT V8 UTES Race 1 (8 laps)

Friday March 31, 2006
0920 – 0930
 GP KART CHALLENGE Practice/Qualifying (10 mins)
  

0938 – 0950
 GRAND PRIX RALLY Parade Part 1 (2 laps)
  

1000 – 1020
 REPCO HISTORIC Demonstration (20 mins)


1100 – 1200
 FORMULA ONE PRACTICE SESSION 1 (60 mins)
  

1220 – 1235
 On Track Display #1 (15 mins)
  

1245 – 1250
 BMW CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Parade (5 mins)
  

1255 – 1315
 BMW CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Qualifying 1 (20 mins)
  

1400 – 1500
 FORMULA ONE Practice Session 2 (60 mins)
  

1530 – 1550
 V8 SUPERCARS Race 1 (10 laps)
  

1605 – 1625
 CLEANEVENT V8 UTES Race 2 (8 laps)
  

1635 – 1645
 THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Demonstration #2 (10 mins)
  

1700 – 1720
 DODO FORMULA 3 Race 2 (8 laps)
  

1740 – 1800
 CARRERA CUP Race 2 (8 laps)
    

Saturday April 1, 2006
0920 – 0930
 GP KART CHALLENGE (2 laps)

0938 – 0950
 GRAND PRIX RALLY Parade Part 2 (2 laps)

1000 – 1020
 REPCO HISTORIC Demonstration (20 mins)

1100 – 1200
 FORMULA ONE PRACTICE SESSION 3 (60 mins)

1210 – 1225
 On Track Display #2 (15 mins.)
  

1240 – 1300
 BMW CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Qualifying 2 (20 mins)

1310 – 1320
 V8 SUPERCAR Drivers' Parade (10 mins)

1400 – 1500
 FORMULA ONE Qualifying Session

1530 – 1610
 V8 SUPERCAR GP 100 (19 laps)

1625 – 1640
 CARRERA CUP Race 3 (6 laps)

1650 – 1700
 THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Demonstration #3 (10 mins)
  

1715 – 1730
 DODO FORMULA 3 Race 3 (6 laps)
  

1745 – 1805
 CLEANEVENT V8 UTES Race 3 (8 laps)

Sunday April 2, 2006
0915 – 0930
 REPCO HISTORIC DEMONSTRATION including EXOTIC MARQUES Parade Laps (15 mins)

0950 – 1010
 DODO FORMULA 3 Race 4 (8 laps)

1030 – 1050
 CARRERA CUP Race 4 (8 laps)

1105 – 1120
 BMW CELEBRITY CHALLENGE (5 laps)

1125 – 1130
 BMW CELEBRITY CHALLENGE Parade (5 mins)

1150 – 1210
 V8 SUPERCARS Race 3 (10 laps)

1225 – 1230
 FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' PHOTO

1230 – 1240
 FORMULA ONE DRIVERS' PARADE

1250 – 1300
 THE ULTIMATE SPEED COMPARISON Demonstration #4 (10 mins)

1305 – 1319
 Pit Straight Presentation (14 mins)

1340 – 1350
 RAAF F/A-18 Jet Display (10 mins)

1350 – 1352
 National Anthem

1352
 Qantas Jet Flyover