Launches at the Karting Show
BRDC Stars of Tomorrow will unveil its new 2008 Race Centre for the first time at the new Karting Show on Thursday 10 January, which will also host the Lewis Hamilton Feature at Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham. BRDC Stars of Tomorrow is based at the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) at Silverstone circuit and is the karting championship from which Lewis Hamilton graduated.
The massive double-decker race transporter measures 44 feet long and 15 feet high. It is currently being draped with its new 2008 championship livery and, thanks to invaluable support from Prodrive and the Honda Racing F1 team, the new Race Centre will appear in full splendour at Autosport International.
The truck will be the championship’s biggest ever Race Centre and will eventually feature an upper level. Although not ready or accessible for the Karting Show, it will boast a reception area, two clerks’ offices, a kitchen, toilet and shower, plus a truck drivers’ sleeping area. The upper level will be accessed via an external, although covered, stairway and the new truck will even boast a tail lift that, when fully elevated, will serve as a clerks’ viewing platform, accessible from inside the truck via double patio-style doors.
Downstairs, the truck will benefit from a larger reception area and platform presentation stage. It will also have storage for 10 specially modified karts for the new Karting for the Disabled initiative, which will be launched at the Karting Show at 12pm on Friday.
BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championship Director, Carolynn Hoy, commented: “We were all sad when our old trailer became just too decrepit and was dispatched to the big car park in the sky, but I am looking forward to unveiling the new trailer at the Karting Show. It's big, really big, and of course it's yellow again. However, there is no way that we could ever have managed to replace the old trailer without help from many championship friends.
“Malcolm Gilmour found, repaired and painted the truck for us; Prodrive and the Honda Racing F1 team have provided the stunning graphics and A1GP kindly allowed us to use their comfortable and warm hangar so the livery could be fitted. Paul Truelove is helping with the fixtures and fittings and the Awning Company is providing us with the new awning. There are so many others who have helped but don't wish to be named.
“On the back of the truck, but unfortunately not in time for the show, we will have all the names of those who have helped to raise money for the Karting for the Disabled initiative.”
Autosport International opens to the general public on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 January 2008. Avoid the queues and book online at autosport-international.com or by phoning the ticket hotline on +44 (0)870 040 0396. Tickets are £28.00 per adult including entry to the 55-minute adrenalin-pumping Live Action Arena; children’s tickets, for those aged five to 15 years, are £18.50.
