Henry Surtees Challenge Announces Sensational Prizes for 2012 Event at Buckmore Park
By Karting1 ~ August 8th, 2012. Filed under: Announcements.
In its second year the Henry Surtees Challenge all-stars kart showdown is aimed at bringing together the best of young motorsport talent to compete for a staggering range of prizes to aid them in their race programme preparation for 2013.
All Stars of 2011 – Henry Surtees Challenge, Buckmore Park
This year’s competition will take place at Buckmore Park, Chatham, Kent on Wednesday 24 October and is seeking to attract drivers from all classes of motorsport who are in their 16th year and over.
Henry Surtess on the podium in 2009
The event, organised by former F1 world champion John Surtees OBE, will provide the top six drivers with a prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy. Depending on the final number of prizes available, at least the top six top finishers will have a choice of the best career enhancing prizes ever offered at a UK kart meeting. Prizes for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above will also be awarded. The prizes for currently include:
- Visit to Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes with simulator time and evaluation by an F1 race engineer - donated by Christian Horner
- Simulator pre-test in the UK plus GP3 test with Carlin Motorsport in Portugal
- InterSteps Championship test with Falcon motorsport (for drivers in their 16th year)
- National B Formula Renault BARC test with Hillspeed Racing
- A full kit of Puma race clothing – 1 suit, 3 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of shoes and 3 pairs of lifestyle shoes for the winner – donated by Puma SE 2 pairs of lifestyle shoes for second place – donated by Puma SE
- 1 pair of lifestyle shoes for third place – donated by Puma SE
- An Arai helmet prepared and painted to drivers own design donated by Arai
- Shell Pilota Experience at Ferrari, Maranello, Italy – driving on their Fiorano test track plus visit to the F1 facility – donated by Shell. Travel arrangements made and donated by Travel Places
- A pair of VIP F1 tickets including Paddock entry – donated by Bernie Ecclestone
- A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000.00 – donated by IQ Supplies (Teamvise Limited)
- Motorsport custom-fit Driver Communication Earpieces together with Hearing Healthcare Package - donated by Hearing Electronics Limited
- A session on a simulator at iZone – donated by Andy Priaulx
- A pair of tickets to the Autosport Awards, December 2012 – donated by Haymarket Publications
- A bottle of Mumm champagne for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners
In addition the winner will be featured in a career profile in Motorsport magazine – Henry Surtees Challenge media supporter for 2012.
An entry for the meeting costs £500.00 and will showcase a broad spectrum of motorsport talent. Drivers from single-seater formulas, touring, sportscar classes, karting and motorcycling will share the track in the all-comers event. Drivers must hold an MSA licence, be a member of Club 100 or a Buckmore Park Elite driver. There will be a maximum entry of 50 drivers.
John Surtees, who set up the Henry Surtees Foundation in memory of his son, says: “This event is purposely staged towards the end of the motorsport season. The objective of course is to raise funds for Henry’s charity. I am however acutely aware of the problems that young drivers face in developing their career. So with the help of some very generous sponsors I wanted to put together an event that provided prizes which would create valuable contacts, publicity and be career enhancing in their content.”
Once again the organisers have brought in Club 100 series promoter John Vigor to help run the event. Vigor has helped create affordable, competitive karting through his Club 100 series and by using TKM karts that are level in terms of performance the event should provide a level playing field. Unique for this type of competition, wet tyres will be made available to competitors courtesy of Bridgestone.
Alexander Sims, a former team mate of Henry’s from Formula Renault, won the very exciting and closely contested 2011 race. “I knew Henry well and still speak to John a lot, so winning this race meant a lot to me.”
All the funds raised by the event will go towards the Henry Surtees Foundation who is supporting the introduction of a blood transfusion service into the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance service with the provision of equipment.
Drivers wishing to take part in the event should contact Buckmore Park Circuit, Maidstone Road Chatham, Kent, ME5 9QG on 01634 201562.
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