Media Release: Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge Attracts Team USA Scholarship Winners

London, UK – Wednesday 6 January, 2010; David Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge 2010 at Autosport International, on Friday 15 January, will welcome some of America’s top young drivers from the elite Team USA Scholarship who have pledged their support for the charity kart race taking place at the NEC Birmingham (UK).

Four Team USA Scholarship stars will be jetting into the UK especially for the event which aims to raise awareness and funds for Malaria No More UK, the charity supported by David Brabham in his role as a Special Ambassador. Making up the Team USA Young Guns will be Conor Daly, who finished third in the 2009 Star Mazda Championship; winner of the 2009 Walter Hayes Trophy, Connor De Phillippi; 2008 Formula Ford Festival Champion, Josef Newgarden; and Brett Smrz, who finished third in the 2009 Formula Ford Festival. Connor De Phillippi, 2009 Team USA Scholarship winner, said; “I am so excited! This is another great opportunity thanks to the Team USA Scholarship. To represent the USA in the Celebrity Karting Challenge alongside such a high calibre of drivers and to be helping raise money and awareness for the fight against malaria makes me that much more honoured to have the pleasure to compete in this fantastic charity event.” The Team USA Scholarship was founded in 1990 by writer and commentator Jeremy Shaw, who has been a contributor to the UK Autosport magazine since 1975. The unique programme assists young American drivers in the early stages of their careers, giving them an opportunity to display their skills on an international stage. Past winners include Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Memo Gidley, Jerry Nadeau, Buddy Rice, AJ Allmendinger and JR Hildebrand. The Scholarship is made possible by vital contributors including Mockett & Company, purveyors of ‘fine architectural hardware for your fine furniture’ (www.mockett.com), and the Road Racing Drivers Club. The US-based RRDC organisation comprises many top drivers from around the world and has been mentoring young drivers and promoting safety since its formation in 1952. The cross-Atlantic trip for the talented quartet has been made possible by long-time supporter of the Team USA Scholarship Doug Mockett, and Duncan Dayton, Principal of Patrón Highcroft Racing – the American Le Mans Series team with which David Brabham took the LMP1 spoils in 2009. “Highcroft Racing has been a proud supporter of Team USA in recent years and I’ve been thrilled with the guys’ performances in the UK,” Dayton said. “These guys are really the stars of the future and David’s charity karting event really gives them a great chance to do battle against the biggest names in motorsport. “I’m delighted to team up with Doug (Mockett) to help make this happen. With David’s race benefiting Malaria No More UK, it is a perfect link to our Miles to End Malaria campaign. I’m sure Connor, Josef, Brett and Conor are going to have a great time. I’m sure it won’t be long before they will be doing battle with guys like Brabs on the world stage.” Brabham commented: “To be able to attract America’s most promising young drivers is a real indication of how the Celebrity Karting Challenge has grown in stature in recent years. It will be fantastic to have Team USA competing alongside the MSA British Race Elite team and see some of the sport’s best young stars in action. “I have had the pleasure of working with Duncan for many years and I have the utmost respect for him, not just as Patrón Highcroft’s Team Principal but for his tireless work with the RRDC to help the next generation of American champions. I can’t thank Duncan and Doug enough for their outstanding support and we look forward to welcoming the Team USA Young Guns to the UK.” With just a few places remaining, members of the public still have the chance to get on-track for the Celebrity Karting Challenge for just £300, which includes two tickets to Autosport International on what is an exclusive trade day. Contact Bill Williams at bill@racing4charity.com or call 0044 (0)7712 578263. Autosport International trade visitors can take a grandstand seat and watch the Celebrity Karting Challenge action at 3pm on Friday 15 January as a complimentary addition to their standard trade ticket. Trade tickets cost £24 per person, simply register via www.autosport-international.com/trade. MSA licence holders can also attend Autosport International on both trade days, 14&15 January, as well as the public days, on 16&17 January. Simply register by visiting www.autosport-international.com/trade. -Ends- Please click on the thumbnails below to download the images. Notes to media: For further information on David Brabham, including his career history and biography, visit www.davidbrabham.com. To find out more about David’s Racing4Charity organisation and the Celebrity Karting Challenge 2010 visit www.racing4charity.com or www.autosport-show.com About Malaria No More UK Malaria No More UK launched in April 2009 fronted by David Beckham, Andy Murray and Denise Lewis, founding members of the charity's Leadership Council. David Brabham is a Special Ambassador for Malaria No More UK. Special Ambassadors are exceptional people who choose to use their talent and/or experience to fight malaria. British mother Jo Yirrell, is also a Special Ambassador for the charity. Jo lost her 20 year old son Harry to malaria and she has since launched a high profile campaign to draw attention to the issue of malaria publically and politically. Malaria No More UK is committed to ending suffering and death caused by malaria, a preventable disease. The charity works with governments, corporations, celebrities and the public to raise mass awareness and funds to achieve the following UN goals: 1) Ensure every man, women and child at risk of malaria in Africa has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2010 2) Put an end to malaria deaths by 2015 A £5 donation to Malaria No More UK will purchase, transport and deliver a life saving bed net to a mother and her child in Africa protecting them for up to five years. 100% funds received by Malaria No More UK are used for malaria prevention and control programmes in Africa. For more information and to donate visit: www.malarianomore.org.uk David Brabham Celebrity Karting Challenge Media Contact: Emma Spearing, Hazel PR Tel: +44 (0)1202 862411 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828 Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com

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