Friends and TV stars turn out for #Kart4Caron charity challenge at Surrey′s top track
Organisers hoping to raise nearly £50,000 as donations continue to pour in.
Last Saturday (19 September), Daytona Sandown Park was delighted to host the Caron Keating Foundation Charity Kart Challenge. After making its hugely successful debut at Daytona in 2014, organisers vowed to make it an annual event – and to the delight to all those that attended, this year′s event is on course to raise in the region of £50,000 as donations continue to pour in.
Warm and sunny weather conditions on Saturday greeted the 20 teams along with their guests, friends and TV stars including Anthea Turner and Gloria Hunniford. Daytona Sandown Park is considered to be one of the UK′s best outdoor kart venues and is well-versed in hosting events of this magnitude. Easily able to accommodate up to 300 drivers at any one time, the facility boasts two tracks including a 900m Grand Prix circuit and has fleets of karts ranging from juniors (5 years and upwards) through to professional adult and 80-mph DMAX racers for experienced karters.
At the wheels of Daytona Motorsport′s dynamic fleet of RT8 Sodi pro-racing karts, the 20 teams with four drivers each, faced a whole new format for the 2015 #Kart4Caron contest….Instead of just one 2.5 hour marathon, the races were split into a one 1.5 hour endurance and one 40-minute sprint and to spice things up even further, a real Formula One pit-stop challenge was thrown into the mix. Using a genuine F1 chassis, the teams′ mettle was really tested as they competed against each other in a timed Grand Prix style fastest wheel-change.
A team of professional drivers, including MSA Formula driver Sam Brabham; Manuel Maldonardo, karting cousin of F1 driver Pastor Maldonardo; Formula Three driver Rupert Svendsen-Cook and former BTCC driver, Jack Clarke, took part in a pro-versus-pro race of their own as well as laying down the lap-time gauntlet for aspiring wannabes!
The VIP track-side marquee ensured superb viewing for teams and their guests whilst they enjoyed first-class hospitality throughout. A dinner and awards ceremony followed the races and the evening concluded with a moving speech by Foundation patron and Caron’s mother Gloria Hunniford, who talked about the invaluable work undertaken by the charity to help those affected by cancer. An auction followed including many unique and money cant buy items including a stunning Caron Keating self portrait – the last picture she painted; VIP Celtic Manor Celebrity Golf tickets; a luxurious South African safari trip; a David Coulthard signed TW Steel watch, and a signed race suit from BTCC ace Gordon Shedden – to name a few.
Infinity Media′s Russ Lindsay, Caron′s husband of 14 years and a key organiser of #Kart4Caron, was delighted with Saturdays event. He says, “Following the success of our inaugural event here last year at Daytona Sandown Park, it’s great to hold it again both bigger and better. With the support of our sponsors HONDA and Corpacq as well as the staff at Daytona Motorsport, we have raised nearly an amazing £50,000. I would like to thank everyone for attending and making the day such a huge success for Caron’s Foundation.”
Profits from the day go directly to the Caron Keating Foundation and promise to provide much needed support for cancer sufferers and their families.