Redon returns three-seater concept.

Former Formula One test driver Laurent Redon has made a late addition to the Formula One experience already available at this weekend's Autosport International
exhibition by re-introducing the three-seater 'passenger' car to the British public.

After spending 1998-99 as the third driver for the Benetton F1 team, and then venturing to the USA to contest the IRL series, Frenchman Redon established the LRS-Formula F1 driving school at the Magny-Cours circuit. Now expanded as a travelling facility at various circuits throughout Europe, LRS Formula has added the three-seater racing car 'experience' to its roster for 2005.

Designed and built in collaboration with Design Tech Centre Ltd, the new three-seater is code named the 'LR3S' and will make its public debut at the Autosport show in Birmingham this week. The three-seater will be used for track inductions, with passengers sitting either side of the driver to benefit from a perfect view of the track while enjoying the high-speed and hard braking sensations unique to Formula One.

The first rides in the LR3S - which builds on the concept introduced by the Arrows AX3 which debuted at the NEC in 2001 - will take place in April, when passengers will be given a preview of the Nevers-Magny-Cours circuit in both 'Club' and full 'Grand Prix' configurations. The car will use a Ford HB engine which produces 700hp.

"We wanted to make Formula One more accessible to the public, so we organised an F1 driving school at Nevers Magny-Cours, as well as training courses in a range of cars," Redon explained, "We succeeded in obtaining single-seaters from Benetton, Prost, Larrousse and Arrows, and, given the success of our driving school in France, 2004 marked the debut our international activities.

"To enable our students to discover other famous circuits, our school went to the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, to Vallelunga and Monza in Italy, and even to the Nurburgring in Germany. This programme will allow us to offer our international clients an unforgettable experience of the high-speed, cornering, and braking at a circuit in their own country, and, throughout 2005, we plan to run 60 days of track action."