Entries open for the fifth annual Henry Surtees Challenge 2015
Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit

The best of British young motorsport talent are invited to enter the ‘Henry Surtees Challenge’, which is taking place on Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Chatham, Kent. This superb annual is organised by former F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation.

The Challenge, now in its fifth year, has become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent aged 15 years or over wishing to give themselves that vital edge in their preparation for the 2016 season John Surtees would like to invite kart and car racers that are currently progressing up the motorsport ladder, to compete in the karting event and have the unique opportunity to win a spectacular range of career enhancing prizes to help aid their race programme preparation for 2016. Drivers of the calibre of Alexander Sims, Scott Malvern, Ben Barnicoat, Oliver Rowland, Piers Prior, David Pittard have to name but a few, have all been very supportive and have benefitted from our unique prize content.

The event will see drivers battling it out, using the superbClub 100 Birel Karts . The top three drivers will be awarded with the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title and exclusive prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting last year stretched to tenth place! Prizes will be awarded for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above.

John Surtees said “the first Henry Surtees Challenge took place in 2010, and Buckmore Park seemed the natural venue to host it; it had it been the circuit where Henry first sat in a kart, at the age of 8, but also where he had gained success. Buckmore is renowned for being a superb training ground for future British World Champions. During its 52 years; the track has seen the likes of World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hone their racing skills along with racers Johnny Herbert, Dan Wheldon and many others, and is a great venue to host the Challenge.

The 2015 Challenge will once again provide an excellent opportunity for talented young racers, to compete to win test drives, experiences and equipment worth thousands of pounds, in order to assist them with their racing season and enhance their motorsport career. I am delighted that the motor sport community are once again assisting this initiative”.

One of the 2014 winners, Jack Aiken said “I’d like to thank John and the Foundation for putting on such a great event for young drivers, the prizes are incomparable to any karting, or racing, competition out there.”

Another 2014 prize winner, Ross Gunn won a Formula Renault test experience. We caught up with Ross shortly after his trip to Jerez, and he said “it was such an honour to take part in the Formula Renault test. I can’t thank the foundation enough for what was a truly unforgettable experience. Manor MP Motorsport teams professionalism and work ethic was far beyond anything I have ever worked with. I would like to thank the Henry Surtees Foundation and the team at Renault UK and Manor Competition for the amazing experience and opportunity that this prize has given me. I will never forget the two days I had.”

Prizes for 2016 will shortly be confirmed but for 2014 comprised of the following:-

•Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC to one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta
•FIA Formula 4 Ford test: half day seat fitting and acclimatisation test in the UK, followed by one full day, with Falcon Motorsport, at their Spanish test, with the new composite-chassis car that will be on display at the event, donated by Falcon Motorsport
•BRDC Formula 4 test, donated by Hillspeed

•Formula Renault 2.0 two day test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by Renault UK and Manor Competition

•Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, Formula 3 Dallara Volkswagen test, donated by Carlin Motorsport

Race Support Equipment and Services

•A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Tour for two people of the Red Bull Racing facility, simulator session and evaluation by a race engineer, donated by Christian Horner

•An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai

•Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative

•A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing. A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing. A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test. Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career, donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment, Hearing Electronics Limited

•A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx
•A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools

•A simulator session at the Ferrari Driver Academy and a Ferrari Racing Department factory tour for two people, donated by Ferrari. Air travel donated by Travel Places

•A full motorsport fitness assessment, donated by Porsche Human Performance

Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear
Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear
Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear

Cost of entry: £500

Entrants must be aged 15 years or over on or before 7th October 2015 and hold a current MSA or ACU licence or be a current Premier Sprint Class, Clubman Sprint Class member of Club100 or a Buckmore Park Elite Class driver.

To register your interest, please email: [email protected]

About The Henry Surtees Foundation

The Henry Surtees Foundation was inspired by motor sport legend John Surtees OBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

The Henry Surtees Foundation aims to raise funds to support accident care, with particular emphasis on head injuries, and help educate and train young people with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering and road safety instruction for two and four wheels. The worthwhile causes supported by the Henry Surtees Foundation include the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust and Great North Air Ambulance, and its regional Blood Bike groups.

There are numerous ways you can keep up to date with the Foundation news, events, products and donations. Please follow the foundation official twitter feed @HSF_Foundation or Facebook, and check out the website:

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com