Media Release: Derek Bell Leads Le Mans Legends & Motorsport Stars For Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge

London, UK – Wednesday 11 November, 2009; Legends from the historic annals of the Le Mans 24 Hours are just some of the motor racing stars joining forces to support David Brabham’s annual Racing4Charity Celebrity Karting Challenge, held within Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham on Friday 15 January.

British racing legend and five-times Le Mans 24 Hours victor Derek Bell will join Brabham, 2009 winner of the historic French endurance marathon and American Le Mans Series Champion, as Race Director for the Celebrity Karting Challenge. Bell, the triple Daytona 24 Hours race winner and Formula One veteran will be visiting Autosport International especially to preside over the racing antics of some of the sport’s best drivers, in the event staged from Autosport International’s famous Live Action Arena for the first time. The fantastic new platform promises to deliver the best event yet, with Malaria No More UK set as the principal beneficiary charity after Brabham was recently confirmed as Special Ambassador for the cause. Bell commented: “It is with great excitement that I take up the role of Race Director for the Celebrity Karting Challenge in January. This event attracts motorsport stars of all levels and I particularly enjoy the company of the upcoming young stars of our sport, as they are such fun to be with. I have not been to Autosport International for many years so this will be a very special visit for me." Joining Bell and Brabham will be an array of sportscar stars. Le Mans Winner Guy Smith and Audi Sport duo Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro have already announced their intention to support the event. Mazda ace Marino Franchitti is also confirmed alongside fellow ALMS drivers Paul Drayson, Johnny Cocker and Rob Bell. Even the voice of Le Mans and sportscar racing will be in attendance as John Hindhaugh from www.radiolemans.com joins the Celebrity Karting Challenge as the event presenter. Aside from the Le Mans contingent, the Celebrity Karting Challenge is attracting stars from the karting ranks to the highest echelons of the sport to form over 20 teams comprising of four celebrity and two paying public drivers. The original ‘Karting Guru’ Martin Hines – the triple FIA World Superkart and multiple FIA European and British champion who invented the indoor karting concept in the 1980s, is confirmed alongside Robin Liddell, Gordon Sheddon, Tim Harvey, Matt Neal, Louise Goodman, Bradley Ellis and Ollie Hancock, to name a few. The event is also attracting celebrities from outside the sport, such as Neil Primrose, drummer from the band Travis. “To have Derek Bell presiding over the Celebrity Karting Challenge is a real privilege and the level of support from high profile racing drivers from across the sport has been staggering,” said Brabham. “Hosted from Autosport International’s Live Action Arena for the first time, the 2010 event is shaping up to be the best yet. With a great new TV package also secured, I hope this year’s race will raise valuable awareness of the work of Malaria No More UK and help raise vital funds for the charity.” Raising £92,000 in the previous two years alone, the 2010 event promises to eclipse all others in aid of Malaria No More UK with practice, qualifying and the 90 minute endurance race to be held on a specially constructed kart track within the Live Action Arena. Members of the public have the rare chance to race alongside a glittering gathering of stars, in what is the only event of its kind, 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 where you can also pay for your public place or donate via Paypal. Malaria kills over one million people every year and a child in Africa every 30 seconds, yet it is a preventable and treatable disease. It costs just £5 to deliver a life saving bed net and protect a mother and her child in Africa for five years. 100% of all funds raised for Malaria No More UK will be used to fund life saving malaria control programmes in Africa, in countries such as Ghana where the entire population is at risk of malaria. -Ends- 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

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