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F1, Karting, Charity and Much More |
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Saturday, 12 January 2008 |
Unveilings ruled the
day for Autosport International’s second day at
the NEC in Birmingham with former Formula One drivers Jean Alesi and
Johnny Herbert attending Europe’s largest motorsport show for the
launch
of the new V8 stock car championship, Speedcar Series.
Johnny Herbert and Jean Alesi
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“I’m really excited to be involved with the Speedcar
Series,” said Herbert. “There is an amazing line-up of drivers with races taking place in the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
It’s good to race Jean again and of course my plan is to beat him and everyone else!
“I’m also taking part in the Racing4Charity today, which is
great fun. The track is looking pretty slippery and that makes for some good racing.”
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Johnny Herbert and Darren Turner waiting to race
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Racing
for the Autosport International BP Ultimate 102 Unleaded Kart
Challenge got underway this afternoon and featured over 100 drivers
including Allan McNish, Oliver Gavin, Darren Turner and Gil de Ferran
amongst
others.
“I’m deeply touched at the turn-out this year,” said
David Brabham,
the
driving force behind Racing4Charity. “The calibre of drivers here today
is amazing, which always bodes well for the event. There is a great
atmosphere and everyone is having fun but the aim is to raise money for
charity!”
Formula One team Force India unveiled their 2008 racing car at their
technical partner’s stand Hardinge with Simon Shinkins, Force India’s Head of Production, representing the team.
“The
partnership with Hardinge is exciting for us,” said
Shinkins. “They allow us to push the envelope from a manufacturing
point of view whilst we constantly move forward with our design
capabilities. Their manufacturing resources allow us to work within the
short lead-time we have to abide to in Formula One.”
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Force India F1 racing car
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The Hardinge stand also featured World Supersport rider Chris Walker who flew
from Australia especially to announce his move to the factory Gil Kawasaki
Supersport team for 2008, along with Tom Tunstall who unveiled the 1000cc Honda Fireblade Superbike he will race in the 2008 British
Superbike Cup.
Radical Enduro Series drivers Nigel Greensall and Helen Ray were also
present with the 2008 Radical Race car as was the Solution F car, featured in last December’s The Race of Champions.
Two
more action-packed days are planned for the show with Saturday and
Sunday open to the public. Children can try their hands at driving for
the first time thanks to Mercedes-Benz World, the Live Action Arena is
on-hand
for stunning excitement and racing, whilst Formula One drivers Jenson
Button, David Coulthard and Mark Webber head the show’s world-famous
driver line-up for Saturday.
Autosport
International will be open to the public on Saturday
12 to Sunday 13 January 2008. Adult tickets start at £28.00 per day
with children’s tickets costing £18.50. Tickets are available on
the day.
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News 
