BGTC: Ellis Racing 4 Charity at Autosport International

Avon Tyres British GT Champion Bradley Ellis will be attending the world's biggest motorsport show, Autosport International, 10-13 January 2008. Ellis will be travelling to the NEC in Birmingham to chat about his plans for the 2008 season and take part in a very special charity kart race which aims to raise 50,000 GBP.

Ellis will be attending the exclusive press day on Thursday 10 January and the trade day on Friday 11 January. Throughout his two-day trip, the 20-year-old will be visiting the new Karting Show at Autosport International. As a former British kart champion, Ellis is joining the plethora of established motorsport stars who will be hoping to help more people get interested in starting karting.

On Friday 11 January, Ellis will join over 70 top motorsport celebrities in the bid to help David Brabham's Racing 4 Charity organisation raise 50,000 GBP in the Autosport International BP Ultimate 102 Unleaded Charity Kart Challenge.

The battle of the motorsport formulas will recommence in what will be the biggest ever Racing 4 Charity event. Virtually every major motorsport formula will be represented in the 22 teams competing including drivers from ALMS, DTM, WTCC, BTCC, British and FIA GT, British F3, WRC, Formula Renault and karting.

Ellis will be in excellent company, racing alongside some of the best names in the business, including David Brabham, Johnny Herbert, Allan McNish, Gary Paffett, Darren Turner, Gil de Ferran, Emanuele Pirro, Oliver Jarvis, Adam Carroll and Matthew Wilson, to name just a few. Even Louise Goodman and Ted Kravitz from ITV F1 will be taking part.

Remarkably, members of the public have the exclusive chance to be a part of this star-studded event for just 300 GBP per driver, simply contact bill@racing4charity.com or call 07712 578263. The fun starts at 1.30pm on the Karting 4 U track in Hall 4, where a 30-minute qualifying session will precede the extended one and a half hour race, which starts at 3.15pm.

Hosted by the voice of the BTCC and talkSPORT Alan Hyde, the Karting Show Karting Stage will welcome Ellis to share his season's experiences on the way to the British GT Championship spoils, as well as some top tips for newcomers to the sport.

Ellis commented: "The Autosport International show really is the official start to the new motorsport season and I do my best to go every year, ever since I was a karter. I'm really looking forward to helping raise over 50,000 GBP in the Racing 4 Charity kart race and I am privileged to have the opportunity to put my driving skills to use for a number of worthy charities. It will be great to see my fellow drivers and friends after the winter break and, of course, to share my plans for the 2008 season with Autosport International visitors."

Ellis' participation in the Racing 4 Charity event follows another fundraising effort by the British GT Champion on Sunday 25 November. Ellis went back to his karting roots to take part in Johnny Herbert's annual charity karting challenge, which raised between 15,000 GBP and 20,000 GBP for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. Forming Team Rescue Racers, Ellis was joined by Terry Grant, Rick Parfitt, Robin Liddell and Alex Albon at The Raceway, Kingscross.

-credit: ellis/hazelpr.com