first 1,000 children

The Motor Sports Association is delighted to announce that in just three months since its launch, the Let's Go Karting scheme has attracted more than 1000 children to have a go at karting for just £5.

Let's Go Karting is an MSA funded initiative to attract young people to gain their first experience of karting without having to make an up-front commitment to acquire a race kart and associated safety equipment. 16 venues around the UK have signed up to operate the programme and they have received financial support to purchase this equipment, train instructors and run the events.

Rod Taylor, who is managing the programme on behalf of the MSA, said:

"We are delighted that the scheme has taken off so quickly. Not all the venues have come on line yet, but those that are up and running have reported universally popular feedback. Of the first thousand we know of at least 50 children that have made a decision to get properly involved with the sport and purchase their own equipment. And even if the others don't go any further, they have all had a really good, positive experience of motor sport."

Bill Sisley, managing director of Buckmore Park, confirmed the popularity of the events:

"Our first three sessions have been fully booked and the reaction from the kids and the parents has been fantastic. It's a very powerful message to give people the chance to have a go for just five pounds and it enables us to attract people from all backgrounds and genuinely offer something for everyone."

Colin Wright from Forrest Edge Kart Club, agrees:

"From the club's perspective it has been very hard work but extremely worthwhile, as we are seeing some good little drivers coming in that will definitely be racing next year. It's been a great start to the scheme and hats off to the MSA for setting it up."

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, said:

"We knew that the £5 message would be strong and that it would get people through the door, but we weren't sure how many would go on into MSA karting. The initial take up looks encouraging and we very much hope that this will continue as the remaining clubs get up to speed. Our thanks to everyone that is working so hard to attract these vital new recruits to our sport."

Let`s Go Karting is organised by the Motor Sports Association, the governing body for all four-wheeled motor sport in the United Kingdom. Let`s Go Karting is part of the MSA`s Go Motorsport initiative which is the first centrally co-ordinated marketing campaign for UK motorsport.

The 16 participating tracks in Let`s Go Karting are:

Buckmore Park, Near Maidstone, KentCambuslang Karting, Near Glasgow, StrathclydeDunkeswell Kart Racing Club, Honiton, DevonEast of Scotland Kart Club, Near St Andrews, FifeEllough Park Raceway, Near Lowestoft, SuffolkForest Edge, Christchurch, HampshireGrampian Kart Club, Near Aberdeen, AberdeenshireKarting North East, Sunderland, County DurhamKnockhill Racing Circuit Ltd, Nr Edinburgh, Fife

Llandow, Near Cardiff, Mid-GlamorganPF International, Near Newark, LincolnshireNorth of Scotland Kart Club, Near Inverness, SutherlandCumbria Kart Club, Near Workington, CumbriaMotorsport World, Hoddesdon, HertfordshireShennington Kart Club, Banbury, OxfordshireUlster Kart Club, Near Belfast, Northern Ireland