Maserati GB was proud to offer its support to Johnny Herbert's Karting Challenge to raise funds for Kidney Research UK and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Johnny Herbert, who raced a Maserati MC12 in 2004, its debut year in the FIA GT Championship, has been organising "the Challenge" for 11 years running, inviting racing drivers, celebrities and friends to get together behind the wheel of 270cc go-karts. The race, which took place yesterday at the superb indoor go-kart venue "The Raceway" in North London, saw 22 teams and over 120 drivers competing in a three hour endurance challenge. Among them were: British F1 star Jenson Button, ex-Jordan F1 driver Ralph Firman, 2003 Le Mans winner Guy Smith, ALMS driver Johnny Mowlem, Alex and Chris Buncombe, Susie Stoddard, TV presenters Sarah Matravas and Gareth Jones and Holby City star Tina Hobley.

Pole position was claimed by go-kart Queen Helen Gardiner, who also won the "Celebrity shoot-out", beating Johnny Herbert, Jenson Button and Rik Parfitt Jnr.

The race was full of hair raising moments, including a major engine blow-up courtesy of Le Mans hero Guy Smith, and endless overtaking. In the end "Team Frome", captained by Jenson Button claimed the first step of the podium, followed by Ralph Firman's "Team Carpaccio" and Johnny Herbert's "The two Johnny's".

Maserati GB's team, featuring Trofeo Maserati drivers Moz Fabris and Joe Macari, journalist Alistair Weaver, Maserati GB's own karting star Mark Langfield, Jodie Kidd's husband and internet guru Aidan Butler and last but not least British motor racing rising star James Littlejohn, went off to a difficult start, but managed to claim a respectable 11th place. A feverish Jodie Kidd was constantly updated over the phone and supported the Maserati GB team throughout the event.

With the auction of motor racing memorabilia and team's fees, over £20,000 were raised for Kidney Research UK (www.kidneyresearchuk.org) and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (www.wnaa.co.uk).