MORE than 4,000 visitors have been crowding into the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre daily to see a collection of F1 racing cars and other Grand Prix products.

The 2004 F1 China Grand Prix Exhibition will be open until October 5.

Yu Bin, assistant to the general manager of the centre, said the exhibition has been a real eye-opener to visitors.

The main attraction for motor racing fans has been a MacLaren F1 car. Other cars and more racing equipment are still to arrive at the centre.

F1 products and souvenir are an important part of the exhibition and range from models of F1 racing cars to drivers' uniforms and other memorabilia.

Posters and videos are also on display showing the past glories of F1 motor racing history and the rules of the sport.

Visitors may also drive a scaled-down racing car on a track modelled on the Shanghai International Circuit at Jiading where the Chinese Grand Prix will be held later this month.

The Shanghai International Circuit is said to be one of the most challenging circuits in the world.

Racing car video games are also available for visitors so they can experience the high-speed thrills involved in F1 racing.

"I have had a really good time here but it is hard to control the car," said Christophe Malergue, a visitor from France who was at the exhibition with his family.

Yu said: "What makes the exhibition different is that we focus on the high technology of the sport and visitors can have a real experience of what F1 racing is like."

Liu Jianyou, marketing director of the Shanghai International Circuit, said: "Formula One is a very new sport for most Chinese. Steps need to be taken to help them to get to know and enjoy the sport and its culture.

"A variety of events will later be staged to promote the race."