On Thursday January 13th, a host of celebrities from the world of motorsport will take part in Racing4Charity's Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International to raise funds for national charity Starlight Children's Foundation.

On Thursday January 13th, a host of celebrities from the world of motorsport will take part in Racing4Charity’s Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International to raise funds for national charity Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Held in the Fifth Gear Live Action Arena of the world’s greatest motorsport show at the NEC, Birmingham, the Celebrity Karting Challenge offers the rare chance for members of the public to race alongside their motorsport heroes to raise money for Starlight, which brightens the lives of sick children through once-in-a-lifetime wishes and hospital entertainment.

Among others, motorsport fanatics will be able to race against ex-Formula One driver Emanuele Pirro, current American Le Mans Series Champion David Brabham, sportscar stars Alex Mortimer and Darren Turner, as well as former ‘Stig’ Ben Collins. They will also compete against faces from outside of the world of motorsport such as presenter, author, former ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’ contestant and car fanatic Lord Charles Brocket and Neil Primrose, the drummer from band Travis.

Participants will be able to compete for the fastest lap prize, which is an exclusive three-hour race event for 20 drivers at The Race Centre, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, the UK's first Race Car Simulation venue.

In addition to the Celebrity Karting Challenge, this year Starlight will also benefit from Racing4Charity’s annual motor sport memorabilia auctions on the F1 Racing Magazine stage on the two Autosport public days, Saturday 15th January and Sunday 16th January.

Notes to Editors

Celebrity Karting Challenge

For further information on the Celebrity Karting Challenge, visit www.racing4charity.com and for Autosport International news and ticket information, visit www.autosportinternational.com.

The Celebrity Karting Challenge is organised by Racing4Charity, which is an organisation that runs unique events within the motorsport industry to raise money for a variety of UK charities. Founded by sports car legend and ex-F1 driver David Brabham and Bill Williams, who leads Racing 4 Charity outside his job as a police officer, this special partnership has raised over �359,000 for numerous worthy causes over the past 15 years.

Starlight Children’s Foundation

For further information on Starlight Children’s Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.starlight.org.uk.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Over 500,000 sick children experience Starlight’s hospital entertainment every year. They go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.