As a support event to the opening round of the 2014 Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held at Albert Park in Melbourne over March 13 (Thu) to 16 (Sun), Mazda Australia will be holding the “Mazda 3 Celebrity Challenge” with some of Australia's biggest celebrities set to compete.

From Olympic gold medalists to legendary cyclists, charismatic chefs to models, comedians to TV presenters, past football stars to adventurers, former soccer players to authors, in all 20 celebrities, active both within and outside of Australia, have been selected to take part in the challenge. After taking part in several training sessions, these individuals have gathered in Melbourne to compete in an exhibition race that will be held before the start of the main F1 race. The vehicle they will all be driving is the latest Mazda 3, sporting a 2.5 liter, 188HP SKYACTIV-G engine, generating a maximum torque of 25kg-m.

The busy celebrities took part in their final pre-race training session at Sandown Raceway. Their trainer, Mark Skaife of Skaife Racing, developed an intensive 3 day training camp which has been taking place before the race track schedule beginning on Thursday. After the first day of training Skaife remarked, “The drivers are still at the early stages of learning the key competencies of becoming a race car driver... [however] the next two days should start showing us who the top contenders will be.”

Australian Cycling Legend, Robbie McEwen participated in the camp and said that it was reminiscent of going back to high school, but unlike school he wasn't there to make friends. “It's great getting to know the other celebrities and having some fun but once we get to Albert Park there will be no friends on the track, it's all about going as hard as possible - I'm here to win.”