Grapevine: A1 GP thrills in Manchester

The event saw six A1 GP machines performing demonstration laps around a 1.5-kilometre circuit in the centre of the city, drawing an enthusiastic response from the spectators who lined the entire course.

Robbie Kerr and Michael Devaney piloted their usual Great Britain and Irish entries respectively, and Chinese racer Jiang Tengyi and Lebanese Khalil Beschir also turned out for their countries.

The other participants were slightly more incongruous - veteran Kiwi sportscar driver Neil Cunningham driving the Australian machine, and Irishman John O'Hara (who races in Asian Formula Three) appearing with the Malaysian car.

Kerr led the praise of the parade.

"It was an absolutely fantastic experience, I absolutely loved it," he said. "I saw people climbing on letter-boxes and bus shelters to get a better view.

"I managed to get into second gear a couple of times and broke the 70mph speed limit!"

The parade was held as part of the three-day Sky TV Festival, a free event that drew a crowd of 200,000 to the city.