Jenson Button to headline Barbados Festival of Speed 2017
Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button will headline the second Barbados Festival of Speed, which is today (May 12) confirmed for Saturday, October 14, at Bushy Park Barbados. The one-day event will run from day into night, promising an epic new experience for spectators, thanks to the full-arena lighting currently being installed at the St Philip facility.
Winner of 15 grands prix and a podium finisher on 50 occasions, Button won his title while racing for the new Brawn GP team in 2009, but moved to McLaren the following year as team-mate to Lewis Hamilton, who has starred in two major events at Bushy Park, Top Gear Festival Barbados 2014 and last year's BFoS. Button retired from F1 at the end of last season, but remains a McLaren-Honda Ambassador, and on the team's reserve list; he will stand in for Fernando Alonso at the Monaco GP (May 28), when the Spaniard makes his debut in the Indianapolis 500.
In a recorded message, Button said: "I'm excited to announce that I'm going to be in Barbados for the 2017 Barbados Festival of Speed on October 14. I'm really looking forward to some fun driving challenges and I can't wait to see you all. It's going to an amazing event. Cheers!"
Last year's BFoS featured a wide-ranging programme of activities both on and off-track, which garnered significant international media coverage in both specialist motor sport and general media across the globe. While the format will evolve this year, with a mixture of old and new international content, there will as always be a place for all the clubs and disciplines in the island to be involved, circuit racing, drag racing and karting.
Bushy Park Circuit Inc (BPCI) Operations Manager, Amy Willis said: "We are delighted that Jenson has agreed to head-line the second Festival of Speed; he knows the island well from spending family holidays here in the past and tells us he is greatly looking forward to visiting again. And we wish him well at Monaco in just a couple of weeks.
"We will be confirming further details of our plans in the coming months, as the various elements of the day's activities fall into place. We have some exciting new overseas acts booked, some of which will make the very best use of our new lighting towers, along with some old favourites. I think we pretty much have something for everyone this year, making this first International night-time event truly memorable.
"Tickets are now on sale, initially on-line, and we will soon start rolling out a series of Early Bird Ticket competitions through our Facebook page. These will be a key feature of our promotions in the coming months, with winners announced on a regular basis. The earlier patrons buy their tickets, the more chances they will have to win prizes - there will be a whole range of prizes, from ticket upgrades to the chance to participate in the show itself. Like us on Facebook to be among the first to know what is planned, and to be in with a chance of winning one of our fabulous prizes."
Barbados Festival of Speed
Saturday, October 14 2.00pm to 10.00pm (gates and ticket booths open 12.30pm)
General Admission - Bds $50; Child (7 to 12) Bds $25. Clubhouse (food and drink on sale) - Bds $150; Child (7 to 12) Bds $75. VIP (food and drink included) - Bds $500; Child (7 to 12) Bds $250. Corporate - Bds $100; Child (7 to 12) Bds $50. Children six and under are free. Hilti Hammer 4 x 4 Zone vehicle pass Bds $100, Cyclone 4 x 4 Zone vehicle pass Bds $100, plus General Admission pass for each occupant
Tickets are now available on-line at CLICK HERE and at the Bushy Park Circuit Office. Patrons can buy their advanced tickets using the Massy Card at the Bushy Park Circuit Office
