Two two-seater Minardi cars will zoom along Pall Mall ahead of the Bendigo International Madison Criterium on March 9.

Australian-born airline magnate Paul Stoddart will come to Bendigo with the vehicles and a team of six engineers from the United Kingdom. “We do have two cars that will be up here, Cameron McConville will be driving one and Paul Stoddart, the team owner, has changed his schedule... and he will probably hop in the other car,” Australian Grand Prix Corporation motorsport and entertainment general manager Craig Fletcher said.

Organisers will promote the event as a festival of wheels that will showcase the best of track cycling and racing cars.

Mr Fletcher said he hoped the visit would attract central Victorians to motor racing.

“We wanted to sort of repay regional Victoria,” he said.

“Our feedback is that there is a lot of regional Victorians that are very passionate about Formula One Grand Prix.

“So this is our way of giving back and giving them a preview of what they can expect at Albert Park between 15 and 18 March.”

The cars will be on display in Bull Street during the day.

People will have the chance to have a photo taken with the Swisse F1 two-seaters during the day.

Mr Fletcher joined with City of Greater Bendigo councillor James Reade to officially announce the visit at Dai Gum San.

Cr Reade sat in one of the two-seater cars and said the event would offer a boost to Bendigo.

“It is really exciting to have something like the Melbourne Grand Prix come to Bendigo,” he said.