CFA at 2009 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix

CFA will be involved in the on-track activities heading into the 2009 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix on Sunday 29 March.

In the lead-up to the race, a fleet of 3.4C tankers from fire-affected areas will travel down the Princes Hwy to St Kilda. CFA personnel will be assembling at Prestige Hino in Dandenong South at 12:10pm before setting off. The tankers will then regroup at the intersection of Princes Hwy and Hotham St at 12:50pm before arriving at the Grand Prix track at 1pm.

CFA Chief Officer Russell Rees said the convoy down the Princes Highway will provide an opportunity for those living along the route to show their appreciation for not only the work of CFA’s 60,000 volunteers and staff, but the enormous contribution made by all Victoria’s response and recovery organisations this summer.

Representatives from all agencies and services involved with the recent fires will also this year be included in the annual Formula 1 Drivers Photograph, as well as the popular Formula 1 Drivers Parade before the race.

As part of the Drivers Parade, the tankers will assemble on the Formula 1 grid, where each of the 20 Formula 1 Drivers will board a tanker. They will then complete a lap in convey around the world-famous Albert Park circuit.

“We are honoured that the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation have invited CFA, and other agencies, to be involved with on-track activities in the lead-up to Sunday’s race,” Chief Officer Rees said.

Following the lap, representatives from more 42 response and recovery agencies will assemble on the grid. CFA will be joined by, among others, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, MFB, Department of Sustainability and Environment, NEO, Parks Victoria, DPI, Vicforests, Melbourne Water, Department of Planning and Community Development, State Emergency Service, Victoria Police, State Aircraft Unit, OESC, DOT, Powercor, SP Ausnet, VENcorp, Department of Education, Telstra, Vicroads, Yarra Valley Water and Citiwest water.

The Victorian Government has distributed several thousand Grand Prix tickets to the emergency services, including CFA, in recognition of their efforts in the recent Victorian Bushfire disaster.

Race day is Sunday March 29. The Drivers Parade will occur between 3:30pm and 3:40pm. The Formula 1 race starts at 5pm.

The race and its lead up can be seen from 12:00pm on the Ten Network and One HD. It will be viewed by 220 million people around the world.