|
Formula Renault Ace Bratt Enjoys Charity Kart Outing |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 15 January 2007 |
Formula Renault UK racer Will Bratt joined an array of stars from across the motorsport spectrum at Birmingham NEC on Friday, 12th January, to help raise money for charity as part of the BP 102 Celebrity Kart Challenge.
Originated by ex-Formula One driver David Brabham and his Racing4Charity.com organisation, the endurance race saw Adderbury-based Will return to his karting roots in a bid to raise as much as possible for disabled children’s charity Whizz-Kidz.
Joined by his 2006 Scorpio Motorsport team-mate David Epton (Preston,
Lancashire) and fellow Formula Renault racer Matt Shawyer
(Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire), the FRUKing Quick entry ended the
action-packed 75-minute endurance event a highly creditable ninth
overall after staging a terrific fight-back following opening lap chaos.
The five-strong team’s celebrity driver Rick Parfitt Jnr
(Kingston-upon-Thames) began the race and the singer-songwriter, son of
the legendary Status Quo co-founder, drove well to climb back from the
tail of the field into the top seven before handing over to Matt
following the first 15 minutes.
Equally impressive, Matt enjoyed a good quarter of an hour – holding
the fastest lap at one stage – before handing over to David who
maintained the team’s top six position with some attacking driving
ahead of Will’s turn in the kart at the third hand-over.
The 18-year-old Formula Renault UK Championship front runner enjoyed
his time on track, some entertaining racing and a close-quarters duel
with multiple karting champion Gary Catt a particular highlight.
At the end of the first hour the team’s ‘public’ driver Ian Carter
(Bournemouth) took his turn in the number 13 kart and after the final
15 minutes of action, FRUKing Quick came home in ninth place, just five
laps down on event winners Ich Liebe DTM after 230 laps of exciting
racing.
“I really did enjoy being part of the BP 102 Celebrity Kart Challenge”,
said Will at the conclusion of the fund-raising spectacular, “It was a
shame how things started for us with the first lap chaos but we made a
great fight-back and to finish in the top 10 was good.
“As a racing driver you always want to win but the main aim all along
was to try and raise money for Whizz-Kidz and have plenty of fun in the
process. I’d certainly like to return next year as it’s a very
worthwhile event.”
Action from the BP 102 Celebrity Kart Challenge will be broadcast on
digital satellite and cable channel ITV Men & Motors in the Spring.
Will now turns his attention back to the Formula Renault UK
Championship having re-signed with Scorpio for the 2007 season.
|