Media Release: Get On Track & Support Brabham’s Celebrity Karting Challenge

Taking place within the Autosport International Live Action Arena at the NEC Birmingham, the unique event is the only charity kart race in the country that hosts the international motorsport elite from across the racing echelons. Over 20 teams will battle it out in the 90 minute endurance race and members of the public can get on track with their racing heroes for just £300.

Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx is the latest motorsport superstar to sign-up in support of the event. The BMW ace, who was awarded an MBE for services to British motorsport in 2008, is ready to race alongside Le Mans 24 Hours winner, American Le Mans Series Champion and event co-founder David Brabham, not to mention the likes of Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro, Guy Smith, Marino Franchitti and Paul di Resta to name a few.

Priaulx commented: “David and his Racing4Charity team are working tirelessly to put together what promises to be an amazing show, this is a fun event and the funds raised are going to such a worthy cause. Malaria is preventable but still a child dies every 30 seconds in Africa. Malaria No More UK aim to provide a mosquito net for every man, woman and child at risk of Malaria in Africa by December 31, 2010, I'm just glad I can do a little bit to help.”

A host of stars from all areas of motorsport have recently joined Priaulx in backing the cause. Lee McKenzie is confirmed to join her BBC F1 colleagues Anthony Davidson, Ted Kravitz and Jason Swales, while the British touring car flag will be flown by Matt Neal, Rob Collard, Tom Onslow-Cole and Jonny Adam. The world of two wheel racing will also be represented by MotoGP star Bradley Smith, who finished runner-up in the 2009 125cc World Championship.

The rally contingent of Mark Higgins and Keith Cronin will be bolstered by former British Rally Champion David Higgins and former British and World Rally driver Robbie Head, who is currently the presenter and TV pundit of the British Rally Championship for Sky TV.

Mark Higgins commented: “I’m really looking forward to what should be a fantastic charity event. Our team consists of the old, middle and new. Our main disadvantage will be that we are heavier than the young racing drivers, so we will have to hope for a leak from the roof and snow, or a freak indoor mud slide!”

One of the world’s leading motorsport cartoonists, Jim Bamber is supporting the Celebrity Karting Challenge for the first time in 2010 in his own special way. Rather than jumping into the karting seat, Jim will be creating a special cartoon with his trademark amusing plain-faced characters in honour of the event. The bespoke Bamber masterpiece will reflect Brabham’s 2010 Celebrity Karting Challenge efforts for Malaria No More UK and honour some of the stars supporting the event.

Bamber will be setting up stall within the Live Action Arena grandstand area and be available on the day to personalise the template cartoon. For just a £5 donation – the equivalent cost to buy and deliver a life saving bed net to a family in Africa - you can appear in art next to your favourite celebrity driver supporting the event.

Jim, whose work appears in every edition of the UK Autosport magazine, commented: “I used to race karts but I was once overtaken by a boy who was so young he was still in nappies. I've never bothered since, so I won’t be taking to the track but it’s still an honour to support David’s Celebrity Karting Challenge.”

David Brabham commented: “I am awe-inspired by the level of support from across the industry and can’t thank everyone enough. I don’t think you can see this variety of top drivers gathered in one place anywhere else in the world.

“It’s going to be fantastic and there’s sure to be a great atmosphere at Autosport International, but while we’re having fun we won’t be forgetting the primary reason why we are there. This event aims to help raise awareness of the magnificent work done by Malaria No More UK and funds to buy and transport bed nets to protect entire generations of African families. Because during the 90 minute charity kart race, just a few thousand miles away 180 children will unnecessarily lose their lives to malaria.”

To get on track for the Celebrity Karting Challenge and support Malaria No More UK, contact Bill Williams at   or call 0044 (0)7712 578263. The £300 charity entrance fee also includes two tickets to Autosport International, on what is an exclusive trade day.

Autosport International trade visitors can take a grandstand seat and watch the Celebrity Karting Challenge action at 3pm on Friday 15 January as a complimentary addition to their standard trade ticket. Trade tickets cost £24 per person, simply register via www.autosport-international.com/trade.

MSA licence holders can also attend Autosport International on both trade days, 14&15 January, as well as the public days, on 16&17 January. Simply register by visiting www.autosport-international.com/trade.

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Photography - Please click on the thumbnails below to download the images.

Notes to media:

For further information on David Brabham, including his career history and biography, visit www.davidbrabham.com. To find out more about David’s Racing4Charity organisation and the Celebrity Karting Challenge 2010 visit www.racing4charity.com or www.autosport-show.com

About Malaria No More UK
Malaria No More UK launched in April 2009 fronted by David Beckham, Andy Murray and Denise Lewis, founding members of the charity's Leadership Council.

Special Ambassadors for Malaria No More UK are exceptional people who choose to use their talent and/or experience to fight malaria. British mother Jo Yirrell, is also a Special Ambassador for the charity. Jo lost her 20 year old son Harry to malaria and she has since launched a high profile campaign to draw attention to the issue of malaria publically and politically.

Malaria No More UK is committed to ending suffering and death caused by malaria, a preventable disease. The charity works with governments, corporations, celebrities and the public to raise mass awareness and funds to achieve the following UN goals:

1) Ensure every man, women and child at risk of malaria in Africa has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2010
2) Put an end to malaria deaths by 2015

A £5 donation to Malaria No More UK will purchase, transport and deliver a life saving bed net to a mother and her child in Africa protecting them for up to five years. 100% funds received by Malaria No More UK are used for malaria prevention and control programmes in Africa.

For more information and to donate visit: www.malarianomore.org.uk

David Brabham Celebrity Karting Challenge Media Contact:
Emma Spearing, Hazel PR
Tel: +44 (0)1202 862411 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 341828
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