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The Karting Show at Autosport
International is privileged to be able to introduce the Karting for the
Disabled initiative on Friday 11 January, at the NEC, Birmingham. BRDC Stars of Tomorrow will
announce its partnership with Karting Endeavour, a group of drivers who do not wish their
disability to interfere with their love of motorsport.
With the help of the Motorsport Industry
Association (MIA), the championship plans to use the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow
Race Control Centre to transport karts to race meetings, three karts initially
and 10 eventually, modified with hand controls.
BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championship Director, Carolynn Hoy, will be joined on the Karting Stage at
12pm by Kumar from Karting Endeavour, MIA Chief Executive Chris Aylett and
Karting for the Disabled patron Martin Plowman,
the former British, French and Asia Pacific Kart Champion. A demonstration on
the Karting 4 U track in modified hand-controlled karts will follow, in Hall 4.
Carolynn Hoy commented: “We are looking
forward to introducing the Karting for the Disabled partnership at the Karting
Show and helping to get more karting enthusiasts out on the track, regardless
of their disability. This project is something the competitors can understand
and embrace and, even before the new season has started, I have been very
surprised and pleased at the level of support and encouragement shown.
“In 2008 the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Race
Control Centre will once again be visiting Sainsbury's car parks nationally to
promote the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championship, karting and Karting for the
Disabled at various indoor karting centres. We hope that through working with
Karting Endeavour we can encourage many more disabled drivers to experience
karting and perhaps for a few to move onto MSA racing.”
Chris
Aylett also highlights the importance of the initiative within the industry,
adding: “The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) is very pleased to be
working with our friends at Karting Endeavour and BRDC Stars of Tomorrow to
promote Karting for the Disabled throughout the UK. This is a long overdue
initiative which we truly welcome. There is a significant business opportunity
to be gained by welcoming this section of our community into motorsport –
as well as the important social benefits it will bring as well.”
Having worked with racing legend Alex Zanardi
after launching and racing for karting Team Zanardi in 2005, Martin Plowman has agreed to become patron of Karting
for the Disabled. Plowman commented: “I'm proud
to give my name to this worthy cause. Having been closely associated with
Zanardi throughout my career, I'm proud to represent this fantastic new
initiative on his behalf. Alex's story, along with those whom this charity will
benefit, is one of courage, passion and determination to come back from
personal set backs and still live life to the full. These karters are true
racers who deserve the utmost respect.”
The Karting for the
Disabled project has a fundraising target of £50,000 and £17,000
has already been raised following Carolynn’s remarkable efforts in
completing a mammoth 1,000 kilometre bike ride from Llandow kart circuit in WalesScotland. to Larkhall circuit in
Karting for the Disabled will be
furthering its fundraising efforts in Racing 4 Charity’s Autosport International BP Ultimate
102 Unleaded Charity Kart Challenge on the Karting 4 U track, on Friday at 1.30pm. The Karting for the Disabled team
will race in two hand-controlled karts and Plowman will be joined by project
mentors, 250cc front runner Lee
Shepherd and Kimbolton Senior Max racer Robin Milton. Lee and Robin were both
injured in motorcycle accidents and, as accomplished karters in
MSA classes, are keen to support the initiative. Completing the team will
be BTCC’s Fiona Leggate and British GT and F3 driver Stuart Hall.
Anyone interested in supporting this worthy project
should contact Carolynn Hoy for further information at
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Autosport
International opens to the general public on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 January
2008. Avoid the queues and book online at www.autosport-international.com or by phoning the ticket hotline on
0870 040 0396. Tickets are £28.00 per adult including entry to the
55-minute adrenalin-pumping Live Action Arena; children’s
tickets, for those aged five to 15 years, are £18.50.
The elite Paddock Pass
is available at £34.00 for adults and £24.50 for children. The Paddock Pass gives exclusive access to the
Driver Signing Area; access to the Live Action Arena Paddock back stage;
priority seating and fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena, and a show
guide lanyard including pictures of celebrities and a detailed floor plan of
the show. There are a limited number of Paddock Passes available, so book early
to avoid disappointment.
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