Take On Your Racing Heroes for Charity at the Karting Show at Autosport International

Sportscar star and double GT1 Le Mans 24 Hour class winner, David Brabham’s charity kart race will return by popular demand to the Karting Show at Autosport International, 8-11 January 2009 at the NEC Birmingham. The BP Ultimate Celebrity Kart Challenge on Friday 9 January will once again attract some of the world’s top motorsport personalities while offering members of the public the rare opportunity to race alongside them for just £300.

The 2008 Autosport International race raised a staggering £47,000 and the 2009 event promises to top at least £50,000 for various charities including the Richard Burns Foundation, Cerebra and the British Heart Foundation.

"It was originally our intention for the January 2008 event to be our last, as myself and Bill (who organises all of our events in his own time) had strongly considered reducing the amount of intense charity work we do. But the event proved so successful, raising over £47,000, that we realised we actually enjoyed doing something we love while being able to make a huge difference to several worthy charities in the process," said Brabham.

"The feedback from January 2008 was amazing and it wasn’t long before the drivers and members of the public were chasing us for details of the next event and with so many interested parties it was clear that we had an opportunity to raise even more money," Brabham continued.

"We wouldn’t have been able to even consider resurrecting the event without the support of Autosport International and we will continue to work in partnership with the aim of raising even more money at the NEC this January. The response so far has been excellent and I anticipate that the 2009 Celebrity Kart Challenge will be a great success."

The charity kart event at Autosport International has traditionally become the battle ground for top racers from across world motorsport to go head-to-head to prove which racing series boasts the best drivers. David Brabham, Darren Turner, Marino Franchitti, Guy Smith and Johnny Mowlem are just some of the stars already confirmed for the 2009 showdown, while members of the MSA Race Elite squad will pit their wits against the MSA Rally Elite team.

Sixteen teams, each of which will feature four celebrity drivers and two public drivers, will compete in the 2009 event that will take place from 1pm on Friday on the Karting4U track in Hall 4. With several teams already booked and sponsored, the limited places will once again be in high demand.

Just 32 members of the public will have the chance to join this televised event and rub shoulders with their racing heroes for just £300, which includes two Autosport International entrance tickets for Friday 9 January, usually an exclusive trade day. Not only will you be the first members of the public to get a sneak preview of Europe’s biggest motorsport show, but you will be making an invaluable contribution to charity.

Be the first on the starting grid and book your public place now by contacting Bill Williams at bill@racing4charity.com or call 0044 (0) 7712 578263.

Autosport International will be open to the public on Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 January 2009. MSA kart licence holders under 16 will receive a complimentary ticket to the Karting Show, when accompanied by a paying adult, while competitors of BRDC Stars of Tomorrow and Super One will receive a pair of free tickets to the show. To purchase tickets visit www.autosport-international.com or call 0044 (0) 844 579 3188. Adult tickets start at £29 per day with children’s tickets costing £19.

For further ticket information and to keep up to date with the latest Karting Show news and information visit www.thekartingshow.com

The 2008 Autosport International Show attracted over 84,000 visitors, including 28,000 trade buyers. Over 1,000 media representatives were present throughout the event, covering the show’s numerous live displays and 850 exhibitors.

Autosport International will be open to the public on Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 January 2009. Adult tickets start at £29 per day with children’s tickets costing £19. To book, visit www.autosport-international.com or call 0044 (0) 844 579 3188.

Paddock passes are available for £35 per adult and £25 for children. In addition to standard admission, visitors will have access to the Driver Signing Area as well as fast-track entry to the Live Action Arena and a great viewing position at the centre of the grandstands.

A Platinum Club pass, at £100, includes all the benefits of the Paddock Pass plus exclusive access to the VIP enclosure at the very top of the Live Action Arena grandstand, complete with champagne and canapés. You will also receive complimentary parking, cloakroom at the NEC plus a goodie bag.

For more information please visit www.autosport-international.com

- Emma Spearing-