Sportscar racing legend and ex-F1 driver Allan McNish was delighted to help the Motor Sports Association launch Race ‘n’ Respect, a new code of conduct for Bambino and Cadet karting, at Autosport International today (Saturday 10 January).
Joining MSA Chief Executive Rob Jones, MSA Kart Executive Cheryl Lynch, Kart Committee Chairman Nigel Edwards and Super One Series’ John Hoyle at Birmingham’s NEC, McNish gave his backing to the governing body’s new Karting Code, which champions fair play, fun, friendship and respect for all within the sport.
It is underpinned by statements and values that everyone involved in this year’s MSA Bambino and Cadet Kart Championships must sign up to in order to demonstrate their commitment to creating the best possible environment for safe and enjoyable karting. It will subsequently be rolled out across other MSA Bambino and Cadet kart competitions.
The values encapsulated in the new Karting Code are:
Respect – for all participants: competitors; organisers; officials; volunteers and parents. Please treat people how you expect to be treatedFair play – respect the rules, the regulations and the spirit of the sportSelf-control – be in control of your emotions and actions at all timesGood manners – be polite to others. Be humble in success and gracious in defeatSincerity – be honest in your thoughts and actions and treat everyone fairly.All those who sign up to the Karting Code will receive Race ‘n’ Respect stickers, badges and wristbands to wear and display with pride, both on and off the track.
McNish, a triple Le Mans 24 Hours winner who enjoyed a long karting career, said: “For me and for many other racers out there, karting is where it all begins. It’s where you learn not just how to race but how to go about your racing, how to conduct yourself and how to be a professional. That’s why I’m 100 per cent behind Race ‘n’ Respect, which is all about starting out on the right foot and recognising that since everyone involved in the sport shares the same love and passion for it, they should also share the utmost respect and good will for each other.”
Rob Jones added: “Karting is a highly competitive arena where passions and emotions run high but it’s absolutely vital that the spirit of competition, fair play and respect are instilled from the outset, particularly when attitudes and behaviours among younger participants are still being formed. Race ‘n’ Respect is our campaign to encourage appropriate sporting behaviour right from the start and to help ensure that the sport offers a safer, fairer and more enjoyable environment for everybody.”
