Jenson Button roared out a message of defiance to the rioters as 55,000 people flocked to watch him race his Formula One car through Manchester.
The race ace drove his McLaren down Deansgate at more than 100mph just yards from an enthralled crowd.
He then performed a series of breathtaking spins and tricks in Albert Square.
Hundreds captured the spectacle on their mobile phone video cameras with many posting the footage on YouTube.
Button's car was emblazoned with a special 'I Love MCR' sticker in homage to the 'fightback' campaign against the looters and thugs who trashed Manchester earlier this month.
And the Formula One star later told the M.E.N.: "I wasn't in the UK when we had the rioting but I'm sure it's been difficult times for everyone here.
“Seeing everyone out there - their spirits are pretty high which is good to see and hopefully this will help the road to recovery.
"To have so many people here to watch was amazing.
“"I think we were all a bit surprised about how many there were out there.
Video posted on YouTube by grayarooney, who said the event 'made my ears bleed'
Button added: “The atmosphere was brilliant - it was raining but they were all stood there eally enjoying themselves.
"I want to say a big thank to Manchester for letting us have this event.”
Button, 31, had rushed to the city just 24 hours after a stunning drive saw him finish third at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.
The packed streets were full of sporting celebrities, with stars including former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, boxing legend Amir Khan, world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle and gold medal cyclist Sir Chris Hoy all present to watch the action.
Video posted on YouTube by gaz6643
Button, who reached a top speed of 105mph, said he had not been frightened of an accident despite the drizzle and gloomy skies.
He said: "It's not scary because I know exactly what a Formula One car can do. I know the limits."
"It's a pity it wasn't dry because these things produce a lot of smoke when you burn the tyres out."
Button was also presented with a I Love MCR t-shirt by Manchester council's leisure chief, Mike Amesbury.
Coun Amesbury said: "I was delighted to hear Jenson Button tell the crowds he loved Manchester because Manchester certainly loved him.
“Along with Pride, this has been another unforgettable weekend showing Manchester doing what it does best - enjoying itself."
Fans certainly weren't disappointed as the deafening sound of the engine filled the streets.
Mike Parry, who brought his eight-year-old son Jacob to the show, said it had been 'fantastic.'
He said: "It was so loud you could feel the sensation in your heart.
"I'm going to take Jacob to his first Grand Prix at Silverstone next year. It was fantastic - I just wish I'd brought an umbrella."
Sandra Jones, from Middlewich, was awe-struck having met her idol Jenson Button.
She said: "I've always loved him. I'm a massive Formula One fan. I managed to touch him when he came out - it was amazing. It's been brilliant for Manchester."
Video posted on YouTube by dale423
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There's always Jenson Buttons driving around the city centre, at least they think they are.
Watch out for the parking charges Jenson. You know how much the City Council hates cars going anywhere near the city centre!
A few weeks ago there was outrage because roads were closed to motorists to allow a family cycling event. I hope the council won't make the same mistake again by stopping the traffic for a single racing car.
Why ?
Bet he places mid-field ;-)
And the cost is ?
Which one of the asinine town hall baffoons gave this event the go ahead.
With all the transport problems that have been created over the years by the jolly brigade at the Town Hall I should have thought this kind of event would be the worst for our city, But still the ostridges are there with their bottoms pointing up towards the sun.
What happened to MCCs ideas of a car free city centre?
Took my 5 year old and, despite the rain, we both loved seeing Jenson in and out of the F1 car and Safety Car on Deansgate. Shame the commentator referred to it being London on at least one occasion. I can confirm that the noise of the F1 car dislodged all the wax from my ears!!!
Oh what about the air pollution! Oh what about the noise pollution! Oh what the impression this will give to the young generation of joyriders! Where was the Breast feeding males complaining that Manchester must embrace more environmental issues first than boys toys.
Had a great day although there was the usual idiots who turned up just before they opened the gates to the fanzone and thought they could walk right in rather than join the queue. Watching jenson though was great and my 8 year old son loved it too.
it used to be like that every friday in moston where i used to live.
Fantastic, what a hero, cheers Jenson
My wife waited for an age to get a picture of Buttoon leaving the hotel, when he did emerge he wafted through giving no-one, including all the kids, any opportunity to take photos. However, Amir Khan came through and gave his time to most people who wanted a picture.
To all those moaning about car parking, pollution, cost etc etc - the city shops did very well from it, lots of people spending in the wake of the riots can only be good for the City of Manchester. Positivity please.
That's the pits!
This little excercise does not look particulrly safe to me, one wheel spin could be deadly with crowds so close and thoese low, flimsy, lightweight, barriers.
You can take all of your 'outrages', 'car free city centres', 'costs', 'asinine town hall baffoons' (!), 'noise and air pollution' and shove them all where the sun don't shine!
Me and my 4 year old son went along and loved it!
That is all.
Jesus, there's some right miserable sods in this city, I took my little girl and she' loved it, a free and very prestigious even in our home city and people still want to moan.
Wow there's some miserable buggers here isn't there?! Firstly, the event was sponsored by Vodafone so I would imagine they covered all the costs. Secondly, it was heaving! There were thousands of fans lining the route so it was proved extremely popular and finally I'm sure it drew in visitors to the city from all over. I myself travelled from Stoke and spent a small fortune (including £11+ for parking - what's all that about?!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27010910@N04/
put some pics up if you want to have a look
Why is everyone moaning?
i went with my 7 year old son and we loved it.
A big well done to Jenson and the team for a brilliant day
Well done Manchester for staging the Vodaphone event today, despite the weather a great day for F1 fans. Jenson showed why so many British fans like him. After reading the comments already posted I am amazed to see so many moaners about this event, parking was ok, parked in Dale Street £4.00 all day it would have cost me alot more in my home town of Scarborough. Enjoyed the Vodaphone area in Albert Square and took shelter for a while in the Vodaphone VW camper.Good to see Manchester with a smile on its face, long may it continue.
This is why I love Manchester - there was nowhere near 55,000 there (where did you get THAT from MEN?) but about 90% of us couldn't see a thing but we braved the rain anyway.
I ended up watching the screen of someone filming it on their camera & what a noise!
Quality.
I will say something else in praise of the organisation too...
looking at the space on the edge of Albert Square I would've though there was barely room for a taxi to turn, never mind an F1 car doing doughnuts!
Cant believe the negative comments it was an awesome event that brought 55k people into the city and all went home more than smiling.