Media Release: Walkinshaw Drives Air Ambulance Support on Rockingham Return

Oxford, UK – Friday, September 14, 2012: Chipping Norton sportscar racer, Fergus Walkinshaw heads to the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup rounds at Rockingham race circuit, on September 22&23, with a new mission in mind. The 21 year-old will be driving awareness of National Air Ambulance Week 2012, September 24-30, within his new role as Motorsport Advocate for the Association of Air Ambulances.

Across England hundreds of people’s lives are saved or the outcome of a serious accident or health complaint significantly improved by the use of an air ambulance. On average, an emergency air ambulance takes off every 10 minutes, flying 365 days per year in daylight hours, while some 30 air ambulances nationwide touch around 60 lives per day. Yet the service receives little government funding and relies on public donations.

Proudly becoming the first Association of Air Ambulances Motorsport Advocate on the eve of the National Air Ambulance Week, Walkinshaw hopes to help local air ambulance charities drive funding in co-ordination with his Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup racing endeavours.

Walkinshaw commented: “I am honoured to become a Motorsport Advocate for the Association of Air Ambulances. The services provided by the charities across England are of paramount importance while of course sports such as motor racing rely on their specialist trauma support. I think it’s a common misconception that air ambulances are funded by the government, in reality they cannot operate without public donations.

“National Air Ambulance Week offers the opportunity for people to support the fundraising activities of their local charity. I hope the simple slogan of ‘Support Your Local Air Ambulance’ on my Ginetta G55 will help motivate the motorsport fraternity and fans to get involved.

“Being part of the British Touring Car Championship package, we have the potential to reach thousands of people, spectators at the events and ITV4 viewers. If everyone gave just £1 this National Air Ambulance Week, it would make a huge difference.”

Walkinshaw will sport the motivational message on his race car for the first time at Rockingham, where event visitors can also pick-up information on how to be a part of the National Air Ambulance Week from his Century Motorsport paddock pit, or visit www.aoaa.org.uk

The Oxford Brookes Automotive Engineering student heads to Europe’s fastest racing circuit hopeful of building on his recent seventh place finish at Knockhill and top six result at Snetterton. With a fifth place already to his credit on his Rockingham Ginetta GT Supercup debut last year, Walkinshaw will be aiming to equal that performance over the double-header race weekend to aid his battle back up the championship standings.

Currently lying ninth, just 14 points separate him from regaining seventh place in the title table and, with seven rounds remaining across three events, the Ginetta G55 Cup podium winner is more motivated than ever to finish his season flying high.

“We’ve made some positive progress since Knockhill and Rockingham will be a new chapter,” added Walkinshaw. “Although we haven’t had the chance to truly test this year’s race pace at Rockingham I am sure that we will feature in the top six, as we have all year. I’m looking forward to delivering more strong results as the season starts to reach its climax.”

Qualifying for the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup at Rockingham will take place at 10.25 on Saturday, September 22, followed by the first race of the weekend at 15.55. Aired live on ITV4, the second 24-lap showdown will take place at 14.30 on Sunday, with live timing available at www.ginetta.com/live All timings remain provisional.

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Media Contact

Emma Spearing, Hazel PR:

Mobile: 07736 341828 | Email: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com

Notes to Editors

The Association of Air Ambulances has been established as a representative body for the Air Ambulance Services in the UK, which formally recognises the integral part that Air Ambulances play in the Medical Service provision. The success of the Air Ambulance Services in providing a rapid response to life-threatening situations has been clearly established.

The importance of close co-operation between Ambulance Services and their local Air Ambulance operations is paramount in ensuring that patient well-being is the number one priority when responding to an incident.

The Association endeavours to build on existing relationships between charities and the Ambulance Service to develop a continually improving Emergency response network.

Visit www.aoaa.org.uk for further information.

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