Monaco Aan De Maas 2005
On 7 August 2005, the first edition of Monaco aan de Maas saw top Dutch racing drivers from classes as Formula One, Le Mans and the Paris-Dakar rally, such as Formula One drivers Christijan Albers and Robert Doornbos, who comes from Rotterdam. The Dutch Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung had to retire after a few minutes due to problems on his car.
In the centre of Rotterdam, the track found its way along the Mariniersweg, the Blaak, the Coolsingel and the Hofplein. Though it was not possible to have a real race, it was a great opportunity to show the cars to the public.
Access to the event was mainly free. Only for the stands at the Coolsingel, and entrance to the paddock and the VIP-village, a fee was required.
The first edition was a big success. While the founders of the event, Robert Heilbron and Herman Vaanholt, expected 300,000 visitors, half a million race fans found their way to this unique event.
The Rotterdam-Rijnmond police arrested two male and one female suspect this day, who had sent a bomb threat by e-mail. Though the police had searched the centre for bombs before the event, none were found. In December 2005, the suspects were sentenced to 13 days in jail.
Read more about this topic: Monaco Aan De Maas, First Edition
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