NOW there's something you don't see every day -- a Formula One car zooming round the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach!

In a publicity stunt with plenty of va voom, F1 driver Ralph Firman 'drove' his bright yellow Jordan racing car around Europe's tallest rollercoaster to mark the launch of the Jordan Grand Prix ride at the fun park.

You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief amidst the cheers as Ralph emerged triumphant from his bright yellow car -- which had been bolted to a coaster chassis -- after it rolled unscathed back into the Big One's boarding station.

Park bosses had feared the car might not make it all the way round, because of the breezy weather, and tales that none of the previous test runs -- all said to be unmanned -- had made it all the way round.

But dare-devil Ralph remained nonchalant as he took to a podium at the more down-to-earth Jordan Grand Prix ride for youngsters in the centre of the park.

After spraying onlookers with champagne, he said: "It's a great honour to open a ride. It was very exciting to go on the Big One with a Formula One car."

Pleasure Beach managing director Geoffrey Thompson added: "Ralph, you have really proved to be a brave man. Formula One may be common place but going on the Big One in a Formula One car is something very special."