Media Release: Davidson & McNish Join Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge
London, UK - Friday 27 November, 2009; David Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge 2010 at Autosport International on Friday 15 January, primarily in aid of Malaria No More UK, is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Held for the first time in Autosport International’s Live Action Arena, the unique charity kart race is attracting an unrivalled line-up of international motorsport stars to race head-to-head with members of the public on a challenging new circuit at the NEC Birmingham.
With the entry list reading like the who’s who in motorsport worldwide, the Celebrity Karting Challenge has become an annual mission for each motorsport formula to prove who boasts the best drivers. The pre-season friendly will attract former Formula One stars and drivers from single-seaters to touring cars, sportscars, rallying and karting. At the other end of the spectrum, these international stars will be racing alongside paying members of the public. British Formula One driver and BBC Radio 5 Live commentator, Anthony Davidson recently confirmed his support of Brabham’s fundraising efforts and commented: "I'm really happy to be able to help out with David's Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International – the race is raising money for a very worthy cause by doing something we all enjoy. It should be a great event and I hope it gets lots of support." A much-valued long-term supporter of the Celebrity Karting Challenge, confirmation of Allan McNish’s return for the 2010 battle alongside Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro completes the awe-inspiring Audi Sport trio that share 10 Le Mans 24 Hours victories between them. McNish said: "I am pleased to be able to support David's charity kart race in aid of Malaria No More UK and I’m really looking forward to the inevitable competition. You can just imagine what the entertainment will be like with a track full of racing stars racing in karts after the long winter break. “It is all for a good cause and the event is a great concept, with fans and stars competing with and against each other at Europe’s biggest motorsport show. I cannot think of a more enjoyable way to get into shape for the new season.” DTM ace Paul di Resta, sportscar star Johnny Mowlem, A1GP team driver Danny Watts and 2009 Star Mazda Champion Adam Christodoulou are just some of the latest celebrities to also confirm their support alongside Amanda Stretton, Katherine Legge, Robbie Kerr, Duncan Tappy, Andrew Kirkaldy, Tim Mullen, Linda Playfair, Paul O’Niell, Tom Onslow-Cole and BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year nominee Sarah Moore. Some of the sport’s most promising future racing champions are also preparing for battle including Racing Steps Foundation drivers Oliver Turvey, Jack Harvey, James Calado and Graham Sharp, while ‘Karting Guru’ Martin Hines will be joined by fellow British Superkart team drivers Thomas Johansson, James O’Reilly and Trevor Roberts. Further karting stars include Jordan Chamberlain, Ben Cooper, Robert Foster-Jones and Jason Parrott. No fewer than 20 teams, each featuring four celebrity and two paying public drivers, will battle for the 2010 Celebrity Karting Challenge. The action starts from 3pm on Friday 15 January at Autosport International, with practice followed by qualifying for one nominated driver from each team. The 90 minute endurance race will take place on a specially constructed kart circuit designed by Apex Circuit Design, specialists in FIA and CIK approved racing facilities, who have devised tracks worldwide including the 5.4km Dubai Autodrome and 1.2km Kartdrome and, most recently, the new French Formula One circuit at Flins-Les-Mureaux near Paris. The new Apex-designed 402metre circuit at the NEC will feature 10 challenging corners that will test both the experienced professional and novice public driver alike, offering an even playing field for the race which will unfold in the 5000 seater Live Action Arena. Members of the public can join the action and race alongside their racing heroes for just £300. The charity entrance fee also includes two entrance tickets to Autosport International, on what is an exclusive trade day. Book your public place now by contacting Bill Williams at bill@racing4charity.com or call 0044 (0)7712 578263. The latest race information can be found at www.racing4charity.com. Autosport International trade visitors can take a grandstand seat and watch some of the best stars in motorsport battle it out in the Celebrity Karting Challenge on Friday 15 January as a complimentary addition to their standard trade ticket. Simply register via www.autosport-international.com/trade. Trade tickets cost £24 per person. 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 and click on the ‘register as a trade visitor’ button. All MSA licence holders will be required to provide their license number and licence holders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. -Ends- Please click on the thumbnails below to download 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. Special Ambassadors for Malaria No More UK 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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