With attendance of Red Bull F1 driver Mark Webber and six biggest up and coming talents

- The horrifying accident suffered by Chris van der Drift in Superleague Formula exactly one month ago shocked the world of motorsport and which resulted in a dislocated and broken ankle, broken wrist, broken finger, two broken ribs, cracked shoulder blade and mangled left index finger. The Dutch-Kiwi, racing for the Greek football club Olympiacos, now faces a battle to get back to the grid without much funds for a special rehabilitation program. “I survived and I am determined to return stronger than before”, says Chris, who’s been already ten times on the podium this season, including four wins.

“Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. At the moment I am losing, not because of my competitors but because I have injuries and broken bones due to the accident at Brands Hatch. I am still determined to win the championship this year and get my test in Formula 1, but to do that I have to manipulate the time I have and to do that I need help”, Chris explains. After the crash he already received support from family, fans, his management and all of his friends.

Go-karting charity eventA few friends didn’t hesitate to organize a go-karting charity event to raise funds necessary to cover the costs for a special rehabilitation program that will help Chris to get back behind the wheel sooner than without any program. Van der Drift has received help from Roger Cleary in selecting the right program. Cleary is the personal trainer of Red Bull Formula 1 driver Mark Webber. Chris is supposed to be attending Bisham Abbey, a sports science medicine facility used for elite athlete training and recovery. The facility is used by Great Britain’s Olympic team, top rugby and football team. Chris however, will be the first racing driver to use Sport England’s state of the art facility in Buckinghamshire.

The event will see some of motorsports biggest and up and coming talents, as well as many racing teams, compete in a two hour endurance race, which will be officiated by Formula 1 star Mark Webber and covered in Autosport. “We already have commitments from some of Chris's past race teams and opponents along with race drivers and associated motor racing companies”, says Jessica Beale, initiator of the event. “Teams are limited so sign up quick!”

The go-kart race will take place on Tuesday 7 September, 17:00 hours at Daytona, Milton Keynes (United Kingdom). The cost of entering a team is 250 pounds (the Daytona charge) plus a donation for Chris would be very much appreciated.

For entering a team: sign up by contacting Jessica at jessicaracing@googlemail.com.

Auction: to race along with the brightest starsThe event, which will also double up as a unique fundraiser, features a host of figureheads from within the industry, all friends of van der Drift. Some of junior motorsports brightest stars are offering the general public an opportunity to team-up with them and raise funds for this worthy cause. The drivers have paired up as follows:

- Red Bull F1 protégés DANIEL RICCIARDO and JEAN-ERIC VERGNE (eBay auction search id’s: 320583514270 & 320583515943)- McLaren Autosport award winner ALEXANDER SIMS and F3 race winner BRENDON HARTLEY (eBay auction search id’s: 320583510196 & 320583512183)- BRDC Superstar OLI WEBB and son of rally legend TOM BLOMQVIST (eBay auction search id’s: 320583517872 & 320583519676)

“It’s really humbling to see so many good friends from within the industry support me through this difficult period”, says van der Drift. “I am really looking forward to the kart fundraiser. I am sure it will be a fantastic event and I really cannot thank everyone enough for their efforts.”

Chris van der Drift is currently supported by Ekris, Stockholm Fashion, Vision Racer, Racing Pool, National Meats, Arai and Oakley.