BP ULTIMATE KART CHALLENGE AT ASI
Tom Onslow-Cole will get his 2008 racing season underway at this weekend’s Autosport International Racing Car Show at Birmingham’s NEC. The BRDC Rising Star joins event supporter David Brabham and some of the top names in British and International motorsport racing around the indoor kart track in the BP Ultimate 102 unleaded Celebrity Kart Challenge on Friday January 11th.
The 20 year-old BTCC star, who made his touring car debut last season, took four podiums and a race win helping Team RAC to the Independents Trophy. On Friday the New Malden racer joins Formula Three driver Sam Bird in the BP Ultimate 102 unleaded team pitched against 21 other teams in the 1.5 hour race.
Organisers Racing4charity.com has set a figure of £50,000 to raise and with three team sponsors already supporting three charities, have raised £38,000 so far. Tom’s team, the ‘102’s’ is sponsored by BP Ultimate 102 unleaded and their chosen charity is Cerebra cerebra.org.uk
A limited number of public drivers can join the stars for just £300.00, the total amount will be banked and awarded to the winning team's chosen charity and there are still a couple of places remaining. For more information contact Bill Williams at bill@racing4charity.com
“The Racing4Charity race should be a great fun event and I’m really looking forward to getting out there. I thought the end of the season would signal a quiet time,” said Tom. “But since the racing finished things just haven’t stopped and after helping Crash.net to victory at Wembley last month, I’ll be heading to the NEC determined to repeat that win.
“Like most indoor kart events the idea is to have fun, but at the same time raise money for some very important charities and I’m delighted to accept BP’s invitation to join the 102’s and their chosen charity Cerebra for brain injured children and young people. Hopefully we can win the race and help them in their bid to not only raise funds for research and grants but also raise awareness of the fact that in the UK alone, one in every four children will develop a neurological problem.”
Cerebra works to ensure that up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge is available and applied for the prevention of brain damage and for proven treatments. In addition to the programme of research carried out at UK hospitals, universities and Cerebra's centre, Cerebra co-ordinates a 'Parent Support' department providing support, information and research. They also organise a wide range of training seminars, workshops and projects for parents, professionals and children themselves.
Friday’s event kicks off with qualifying at 14.00 following a mandatory safety briefing with a public driver fast lap shootout at 14.30. The 90 minute race gets underway at 14.45 and the awards presentation take place at 16.20.
The four-day Autosport International is open to trade and media only on Thursday and Friday and opens to the general public on Saturday and Sunday January 12th and 13th.
