Toyota Racing Joins With The Dark Knight At Silverstone

A partnership between Panasonic Toyota Racing and Warner Bros. Pictures, Hollywood is coming to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix weekend to celebrate the release of the event movie of the summer: The Dark Knight. The much-anticipated film, which releases in cinemas across the UK on 25 July, is the follow up to the 2005 action hit Batman Begins. The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who again portrays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

To mark the release of The Dark Knight, Panasonic Toyota Racing will adopt a new look at Silverstone this weekend. The Dark Knight artwork will feature on the TF108s and the overalls of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, as well as the team’s motor home. But The Dark Knight theme does not stop there. On show at Silverstone will be the iconic Batmobile and Bat-Pod vehicles, while some very special media events will bring the excitement of The Dark Knight to life. The Batmobile will even take to the Silverstone track on Thursday evening for a demonstration run alongside the TF108, followed by some unique photo opportunities with the Bat-Pod and Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock.

Toyota British GP Behind the Scene Report

The 2008 British Grand Prix was a celebration of 60 years of racing at Silverstone and 80 years of the circuit–owning British Racing Drivers’ Club. It was unfortunate timing, therefore, when commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone announced that the race would be moving to Donington Park in 2010.

Panasonic Toyota Racing’s John Howett commented: “The British Grand Prix is secure and in the end I think it is sad to lose a great circuit with heritage but at the same time I am sure Donington will create an environment which will be extremely good for F1.” A £100m investment has been pledged at the Leicestershire circuit, which last hosted F1 cars at the European Grand Prix of 1993, a famous victory by the late great Ayrton Senna. Fittingly, Ayrton’s nephew Bruno won Sunday’s GP2 race with Panasonic Toyota Racing driver Kamui Kobayashi finishing the race in seventh position.