9 FEB 08 - HIGH WYCOMBE

• VETERAN OF HULL FREEDOM TRAIL 4X4 EPIC TO SIERRA LEONE

• HARLEY-RIDING PRESIDENT OF CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION

• ‘RACING REV’ ON BRITISH GT WORK

• CHAMPION DRIVERS DISCUSS OUTREACH WORK

• ALL WELCOME

Christian racing drivers, engineers, team personnel and car enthusiasts from across the UK will be meeting on the 9th February 2008 for the Christians in Motorsport (CIM) Annual conference.

The aim of the conference – which is open to all – is to hear members report back on how they got on last season.  The discussions will then move on to planning for our shared aim this coming season; promoting the gospel and providing chaplaincy to the motorsport community (and general public).

Headline speakers

 Mike James on the Hull Freedom Trail

 Mike Fitton on CMA biker outreach

 ‘Racing Rev’ Andy Lane on chaplaincy work with Street Pastors in the British GT series(see photo of Ferrari 430 in S.P. livery)

CIM Chairman John Clayton, an RAF Officer from Oxford, is expecting a vibrant event:

 “After 7 years of CIM ministry, this promises to be another great time of fellowship, teaching, planning, ministry training and encouragement.  Much of what we do is aimed at inspiring church people to ‘think outside the box’ with how to reach people in the 21st century”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• CIM have an ever expanding network of racing/rally drivers running with the ministry’s branding on their vehicles.  One of the primary aims of the organisation is to provide a Christian presence and/or chaplaincy in as many series as possible within the UK and abroad. 

• CIM are looking to recruit volunteer staff to run the outreach work and the racing cars, and would like to hear from people who have a passion for high performance cars/bikes and more importantly a passion to spread the gospel.  

• CIM is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation (soon to be granted ‘charity status) staffed by volunteers, all of whom are committed Christians. 

• The aim is to ‘put something back’ into motorsport, a relatively opulent, materialistic and cut-throat world of sport and business.

• High performance motor vehicles have proven effective in engaging the attention of demographic groups that churches normally struggle to engage i.e. younger men

• CIM works with existing Christian competitors to help them promote the gospel to a wide audience by using motorsport to reach people in the same way as the companies that sponsor racing cars.  However, CIM does not sponsor any motorsport; advertising space on cars is donated to approved causes by the owners. 

• The outreach work of CIM is funded by the volunteers, drivers, supporters and sponsor firms rather than CIM funding the racing teams.

• CIM are keen to hear from businessmen with a brand or product to promote to discuss how we can open up new markets, help develop a strong brand identity, and at the same time promote Christian causes. 

• CIM members support a number of motorsport-related education/youthwork projects such as:

Learning Grid

Wiltshire College - Motorsport Department

Scripture Union holiday "The Track"

• CIM is affiliated to:

A radical Church of England and Methodist Church initiative to encourage new and different expressions of church life.Fresh Expressions

An ecumenical alliance that promotes unity & collaboration and acts as a voice to the state, society and wider church.Evangelical Alliance