Grapevine: Minardi Reveal 'Thunder at the Rock' Line-Up

The Minardi Formula One team have announced the line-up for the upcoming 'Thunder at the Rock' event, which the Anglo-Italian squad claim will be the bigger and more impressive ever.

The event, which will take place at the Rockingham circuit on August 30 and 31, will once more feature a race with Minardi's two-seater cars. The team's drivers Jos Verstappen and Nicolas Kiesa have already been confirmed for the event, and they will be joined by Minardi's test driver Gianmaria Bruni.

Indy Racing League driver Bryan Herta, as well as F3000 stars Giorgio Pantano and David Saelens will also be in action at Rockingham.

"Minardi's Thunder events have always been a chance for the team to give something back to the sport in which it competes, while allowing the people who really matter â€" the fans â€" the opportunity to get closer than normal to the cars and drivers they support," said team principal Paul Stoddart.

"I think it's fair to say that everyone has an enjoyable time in a very relaxed atmosphere, and when you consider the whole weekend benefits charity, it's a great package, which just seems to get better and better each year.

"Thunder at the Rock is undoubtedly going to be the best yet, and everyone at Trust and European Minardi is looking forward to meeting as many of the fans as possible during the weekend."

Apart from a concert by the band The Darkness, 'Thunder at the Rock' will feature a round of the ASCAR Days of Thunder racing series for V8 American saloons.