Autrogrill drives in F1 McLaren Mercedes to spice up Colombo Night Race

The Colombo Night Race which happens for the first time in the city will dazzle and bring the element of ‘The Fast and the Furious’ into the streets of Colombo on 16th and 17th December. Both local and international drivers & riders will take part in the Colombo Night Race making it one of the most anticipated and ground breaking events in Colombo.

A night full of high octane activity followed by fabulous entertainment awaits the adorning race fans on the racing days.

Adding more excitement to the Night Race, Autogrill Lanka (formerly Orient Lanka) – the premier duty free operator at the Bandaranaike International Airport and Diageo International along with their ‘Never Drink and Drive’ Global Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign, showcases Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Car for the first time in Colombo from 15th to 17th December at the Ceylon Continental Hotel Front Lawn.

The F1 car was ceremoniously unveiled by Yoshitha Rajapaksha and Dimantha Kinigama, CEO of Autogrill Lanka, at a function held at the hotel recently, followed by a magnificent firework exhibition.

‘This is indeed a fabulous opportunity for us to showcase the F1 car, during what will be a ground breaking event in our nation. We were extremely honored with the request made by Mr. Yoshitha Rajapakshare who wanted the F1 car to be seen not only by the captive audience at Bandaranaike International Airport, but by the race enthusiast who will gather to watch the Colombo Night Race.

The car will be on display for 3 days starting from 15th December as a pre‐cursor to the Colombo Night Race and thousands of race fans now have the rare opportunity to witness a F1 car for real. Ceylon Continental Hotel, a key corporate customer of ‘Labels’ (the domestic division of Autogrill Lanka), would be the ideal location to display the car where whole of Colombo will be driving or walking past Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button’s McLaren car..’ sentiments of Autogrill Lanka CEO, Dimantha Kinigama.

With the race fever high in Colombo and with a very good response from F1 and their key sponsor Diageo; Autogrill Lanka has initiated discussions to bring Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button to Sri Lanka in 2012 as part of Diageo’s Never Drink & Drive CSR campaign. F1 driver and a F1 car in the streets of Colombo could be a reality!

On 18th December onwards, the F1 car will take pole position back again at the BIA departures launch where Autogrill Lanka showcases the car till 31st January 2012 in line with ‘Step inside the Circuit’, the fantastic F1 promotion.