Alonso hands over recovery vehicle

Handover of a Mercedes-Benz Vito V120 CDI by Fernando Alonso

* Vehicle handed over to the Marshals Club at the Nurburgring

* Vito to be used as a fire-fighting and recovery vehicle

On Thursday evening, three days before the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Fernando Alonso handed over a Mercedes-Benz Vito V120 CDI to the circuit's Marshals Club.

The Vito, which is equipped with a six-cylinder diesel engine developing 150 kW/204 hp, will be used as a fire-fighting and recovery vehicle by the Marshals Club. The Club, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, concerns itself with track safety during motor-racing events at the Nurburgring and other circuits.

Marshals Club Nurburgring has an outstanding reputation in motor-racing circles. Around 600 of its total membership of 830 are trained as marshals, and can be called upon to provide track and race supervision. They are trained in first aid, the recovery of accident victims and the use of fire-extinguishing equipment. Section managers in the Marshals Club have passed the official track safety management examination.

Fernando Alonso handed over the Vito, which is equipped with a particulate filter and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard, at the Marshals Club meeting held in preparation for the Mercedes-Benz home race at the Nurburgring.

"Track marshals are among the many background helpers at events such as this, without whom a safe and well-organised event would not be possible. I would therefore like to thank the marshals for their support and am delighted to hand over this Vito from Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, which will help them to perform their duties in future," said Alonso.

-credit: mercedes

Source: [url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=261978&FS=F1]Motorsport.com[/url]