Carlos Checa (Yamaha 500cc), Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari F1) and Freddy Loix (Mitsubishi Carisma GT) on the Zandvoort circuit
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The Marlboro World Championship Team gave 60,000 spectators at the Zandvoort circuit in Holland a thrilling and spectacular insight into their respective sports last Saturday and Sunday (5/6 August) at the Marlboro Masters.
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen (left) with Carlos Checa and Rubens Barrichello (right)
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FIA World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen did doughnuts in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Randy Mamola spent the whole of the pit straight on the back wheel of his two-seater Yamaha, Carlos Checa burned out his bike’s rear wheels, and Rubens Barrichello smoked the tyres of his Ferrari F1-2000.
Carlos Checa began the demonstration on his No.7 World Championship 500cc Yamaha, spending entire laps either doing full wheelies or waving! He was soon joined by former World Champion Randy Mamola on the two-seater Yamaha, who managed one wheelie, which lasted the entire length of the pit straight. Later, both riders smoked their respective rear tyres while holding the bike on the front brake.
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Freddy Loix (left) with Carlos Checa and Michael Schumacher (right)
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Almost immediately, Flying Finn Tommi Makinen shot out of the pits, straight into two doughnuts, then raced around the circuit doing another three doughnuts in the process. Next time round he was scarcely straight anywhere on the circuit and completed an impressive 12 doughnuts in one lap!
"The atmosphere at Zandvoort was fantastic", said Makinen. "It is a great feeling to entertain the crowd with Carlos and Rubens. It was great fun".
Recent German GP victor Rubens Barrichello appeared in the pit lane in the Ferrari and immediately did a standing start. All around the first lap the wail of the Ferrari’s V10 was accompanied by flames from the exhausts and Rubens waving to the crowds. Sparks flashed from under the car as he completed lap one, before doing a few more standing starts and setting a fastest lap of 1m 23.339s. A couple of spin turns later and then came the finale.
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Tommi Makinen performing doughnuts with his Lancer Evolution
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Carlos Checa and Tommi Makinen joined Rubens on the circuit, and the trio did one final lap together. They ended three abreast down the pit straight, stopping on the start/finish line to rapturous applause from the crowd, climbing from their machines and waving to the crowds.
There was more to follow and Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart driver Freddy Loix gave rides in his Carisma GT rally car to several local prizewinners, journalists and television presenters. Freddy out-performed team-mate Tommi Makinen in the doughnut stakes with a record five on the pit straight and the only thing that stopped him beating Tommi’s record of 12 in one lap was that the tyre smoke obscured his visibility!
Formula 1 World Championship leader Michael Schumacher joined Freddy on the final parade lap in his Ferrari with Carlos Checa completing the trio on the 500cc Yamaha.
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