Race Drivers Inc.

The Ginetta Celebrity Karting Challenge In P1 At ASI

Racing4Charity’s annual celebrity kart race once again proved to be a massive success as hundreds of stars and fans from the world of mototsport flocked to Autosport International’s Live Action Arena last week.

Held in honour of Race2Recovery - a national charity which aims to rehabilitate injured British servicemen and women by supporting wounded soldiers in a series of motorsports events - this year’s event was sponsored by race and road car manufacturer Ginetta, who pulled some last minute strings to ensure the event was a roaring success.

Speaking of his involvement in the event, Lawrence Tomlinson, Managing Director of Ginetta said; “Race2Recovery is absolutely fabulous, We have done some work with Help4Heroes at Donington Park, so the Autosport International Show was a great event to follow on from that. If you look out there [to the Pit Lane] there are some fantastic people who have done Formula One, Le Mans, the Touring Cars as well as loads of drivers who started in the Ginetta Juniors and have worked their way through the ranks, so it’s nice to see that we are putting something back into the sport for a very good charity.”

Race Drivers Inc. Managing Director, Baz Scott added: "The celebrity karting challenge is the largest single gathering of race drivers at the Autosport show, and we're pleased to have been part of the organisation this year. Our thanks have to go to Ginetta for supporting such a great cause and to all of the drivers that took the time out to race."

True to form, the makeshift pit lane was packed full of faces from the world of motorsport, and included up and coming stars such as British Formula 3 champion Felipe Nasr and Formula Renault star Alice Powell, lining up alongside legends such as three times WTCC champion, Andy Priaulx, and Celebrity Kart Race regular, Ben Collins as well as Popstar-turned-stunt driver, Shayne Lynch.

Ben Collins said; “This is an incredible charity, and I really want support the guys in their bid to do the Dakar Rally and to get them into the Britcar 24 hours. They have modified cars which means that they are able to get in the driving seat, and their world is equal, I get a lot of seeing that and it’s a true inspiration just being around these guys.”

British Touring Car Championship star Andy Neate added; “You have to take your hat off to the guys in Race2Recovery, they are doing a brilliant job, and when I got the call asking if I wanted to be involved this year, it was an easy decision! I was involved in the Kart Race a few years ago and it’s great to be asked back.”

Shayne Lynch also said; “I will do anything I can possibly do for charity, a good cause is a good cause and anything I can do to help someone who needs it. I will get stuck in!”

Sponsorship for Ginetta also meant a number of their trademark black & orange overalls being fashioned around the paddock, with the Yorkshire-based car giant entering two teams, which included Managing Director, Lawrence Tomlinson, BTCC star Andrew Jordan and Ginetta GT Supercup champion and soon to be BTCC driver, Adam Morgan.

Despite a number of red flags and some overly keen karters being determined to reshape the entire track layout, it was a very close battle throughout with many teams suffering time penalties due to their overly robust driving styles. However, it was ultimately the MSA Team UK initiative (Alex Lynn, Will Buller, Johnny Mowlem, Ollie Webb, Jon Lancaster) who just pipped The Motorsport News team to the post.

Race Drivers Inc secured a satisfying sixth place, whilst Ginetta’s highest team finish was a thirteenth. However, the evening’s fastest lap was taken by the Number One Ginetta team, whilst The Singles claimed the second fastest time around the circuit, meaning they could have been a very strong force had they not spent so much time in pit lane.

Speaking at the end of the exhausting day, David Reeve, Mechanical Team Manager and civilian advisor, and mechanic Corporal Wayne Williams said; “What a fantastic event. It is so incredible to see all these people - both from the world of racing and the general public - turning out to support us. We never would have imagined support like this when Racing4Charity was first established. It was just a load of friend sitting down in a room together, trying to find something to do to keep us busy and help us get on with our lives. We are so grateful to be a part of this.”

Story : Ruth Harrison