Fiat 500 to be new Celebrity Race car
December 13, 2007 by Karl Peskett
BMW’s Mini has been spurned in favour of the new Fiat 500 at the 2008 Melbourne Grand Prix Celebrity Challenge.
This particular car is the first Fiat 500 to be seen in Australia or New Zealand; the first right hand drive model to be seen anywhere in the world; and the first racing version to be seen anywhere in the world.
“In keeping with our fresh approach to the 2008 Grand Prix there could be no better choice of car for the celebrity race than the Fiat 500,” said Drew Ward, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. “Spectators at next year’s Grand Prix will not only get the chance to witness Formula One, the V8 Supercars and a full-on two-hour Kiss concert extravaganza, but now they’ll be among the first in the country to see the all-new Fiat 500 in action.”
Former AFL star Luke Darcy, and the Wallabies’ Ben Tune were announced today as the latest drivers in the all-star line-up, seen here, with the 500.
According to Ateco, Fiat’s Australian importer and distributor, Australian and New Zealand production has already been snapped up for the first three months of supply, even without prices and specs announced.
Print it: 
FIAT 500 RACE SPEC + EMPTY MULTI STORY CARPARK WITH LOTS OF RIGHT ANGLES = ONE HELL OF A GOOD TIME!
In race trim it looks pretty good, tight fit for two footy players though.
One of the Mini race cars for the Mini series in 2008 and a Carrera Cup car was at Wellington Point a few weeks ago.
So many supporting acts for the Melbourne Grand Prix!!
Wonder if there cheaper to fix?? Last years bill was $110,000
Cheap advertising really,but who bought the repaired cars??
The car loks extra small when u see the two people out of the car and think how would they fit in it!
Yep……you sort of think about 25 clowns are going to get out of it don’t you!!
A warm version of the 500 would be a great city car/suburban car. What is the price?
same guy designed the mini – u’d think the pricing would be aim at the same market?
Was in Italy at mid year and saw one in Rome. Got chatting to the guy driving, turned out to be a FIAT exec. I sat in it and having a “footy player” build and height, i was suprised how much room they had in them. The car was kitted out with Italian flag decals on the side roof and mirrors and the cream exterior paint work followed into the interior. I reckon it will be a hit at the GP, their always a good laugh to watch celebs write off a car!
For added entertainment value.. because the Fiat is so small; they could make it so each car has a celebrity driver and a passenger [or 2] – who would be selected from the crowd.
Instead of wearing a standard racing drivers suit etc.. the suit could be made to look like a clowns outfit with a multi coloured wig glued onto their helmets and the cars could even have a big red nose on the front.. just an idea!!
hahaha Wheelnut….I have that Clown picture too in my head!
do they have to sit in the middle like in the aussie race cars? ha ha ha ha
speaking of which did you guys see that Ingall will be racing in both the aussie race cars and the V8’s
Why not make them all crash into each other at high speed and see who survives, then let the survivors (if any) kill each other with personal insults and let the worm decides.
The winner gets a chance to french kiss Bernie Ecclestone and lick Alonso’s eyebrow.
Just another idea.
Russell will be doing what AndrewM
Well I hope there not driving the diesel version of the Bambino cause I watch the latest Top Gear episode last night with captain slow racing to guys on BMXs in Budapest…. He thought the Mini was much better than the Fiat and the diesel version was “rubbish”
Speaking of diesels the guys did the hardest challenge ever last night on the show…..they entered LE MAN………They bought a E46 DIESEL BMW and turned it into a race car.Yes they entered the 59 car field.Yes the stig also got behind the wheel as all the other 3 did! was very emotional for all of them and Clarkson even cried when they finally did finish!An epic race!!!!!and challenge one not to miss when it finally hits SBS.
Imagine if Fiat had the forsite to price this car at $16,000 or less – they would need to build more factories than cars to keep up with demand. It wuld be the new people’s car for the world!!