THE FIFTH ANNUAL HENRY SURTEES CHALLENGE 7th OCTOBER

The prestigious Henry Surtees Challenge, is taking place on Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Chatham, Kent. This superb annual event 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. The 2015 event is once again attracting some of the UK's most talented young drivers from karting and cars. Early entries received include past winners Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken, the Racing Steps Foundation, and the MSA with six reserved entries from its young Academy drivers.

The event is open to both 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 such as Alexander Sims, Scott Malvern, Ben Barnicoat, Oliver Rowland, Piers Prior, David Pittard (to name but a few) have all benefitted from the event and its prizes.

The event will see drivers battling it out, using the superb Club 100 Birel Karts. The top three drivers will be awarded with the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title and a huge array of exclusive prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting. Last year 13 drivers received awards. The Racing Steps Foundation drivers very sportingly waive their right to prizes and last year’s winner, Jack Aitken, has also advised us that he would like to just race for the trophy. Prizes will also 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’s 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. Come and join us for the finest range of career enhancing prizes available in competition and the chance to compete against some of the brightest talent in British motorsport”.

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 and would like to thank Ford for sponsoring the event”.

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.”

Prizes confirmed for 2015 include:

Test and Race Opportunities

Please note: some prizes are reserved for MSA licence holders only

Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC for one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta
MSA Formula test (official UK FIA F4 Championship) with Falcon Motorsport
- A full day testing in one of Falcon Motorsport's MSA Formula cars. There will be a seat fitting at the team's workshop prior to the test along with a pre-test briefing. The test will include part worn tyres for initial running as well as one new set - donated by Falcon Motorsport
- Insurance is covered but the driver would be responsible for the excess of up to £2,500.
- Travel and accommodation costs to be organised with Travel Places
A test in one of the new-for-2016 BRDC Formula 4 cars. As well as the one day test in the brand new Tatuus-Cosworth F4-016 the driver will undertake a full seat fitting at the team’s Derbyshire HQ and will benefit from one-to-one coaching, donated by Hillspeed
Formula Renault 2.0 test on the continent with Manor Competition, donated by Manor Competition Travel donated by Travel Places
Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, MSA Formula test, donated by Carlin Motorsport
Clio Cup test for one driver aged 16 or over – donated by Renault

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
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 your 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 specialists in Formula 1 Communication systems, donated by Hearing Electronics Limited
Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative
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
Coverage in Motorsport magazine for the winner – donated by Motorsport

Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear

Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear

Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear

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. Cost of entry: £500

Schedule of the day:

HENRY SURTEES CHALLENGE

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2015

ITINERARY

0800HRS DRIVERS REGISTRATION

0900HRS WELCOME – DRIVERS BRIEFING

1000HRS INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE WITH JOHN SURTEES

OBE, FOUNDER OF THE HENRY SURTEES FOUNDATION

1000HRS – 1230HRSGROUP 1 – 15 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSION

GROUP 2 – 15 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSION

GROUP 3 – 15 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSION

GROUP 1 – 15 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSION

GROUP 2 – 15 MINUTE PRACTICE SESSION