London, England - For the very first time, Kart racing will be well represented at next weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-4 July). To highlight the different categories that are available for those aged six and above, the Go Motorsport initiative is providing a huge karting showcase for the tens of thousands of enthusiasts attending this year’s star-studded automotive garden party.

Set up by the Motor Sports Association, the governing body of UK motor sport and launched by Lewis Hamilton, Go Motorsport has been established to help newcomers get involved in all areas of motor sport from circuit racing to rallycross, autotests to Time Attack.

Karting is not only one of the most accessible and exciting motor sport disciplines but is also one that is open to everyone who’s turned six years old. What’s more, it’s where the majority of today’s Formula 1 world champions cut their formative teeth. 

“If you enjoy feeling free, being in a family environment with lots of thrills thrown in, go down to your local kart track and just try it,” advises 2009 world champion Hamilton. “When I was at school, none of my friends had ever gone karting – they didn’t even know what a kart was. But as soon as I stepped into one I knew it was what I wanted to do. It’s exhilarating.”

Reigning world champion Jenson Button is another to have earned his junior spurs in the UK’s highly-regarded cadet karting scene and, as one of a number of high-profile Go Motorsport Ambassadors, he supports both the campaign and karting as the perfect grooming ground for future talent. “It’s a great place for anyone to start,” enthuses Jenson. “I was lucky that my father bought me a kart when I was eight years old but for others it’s not so easy to get started. That’s why I’m delighted to be supporting this initiative.”

Go Motorsport’s special Goodwood showcase features significant contributions from EasyKart, Daytona Motorsport and the Association of British Kart Clubs (ABkC). EasyKart offers a full range of simple, affordable racing categories for all ages, while Daytona is the UK’s leading kart venue operator. Adding to the attraction and highlighting the Festival of Speed’s ‘Past and Present’ theme, the Go Motorsport stand (number 082) will also include classic exhibits from the British Historic Kart Club.

To provide all festival goers with a full insight, the Go Motorsport stand will also be home to several organisers and karters all keen to explain how rookies of all ages can start out in the sport.

“We would like to thank Lord March for providing this superb opportunity to showcase everything that karting offers both to the next generation of potential world champions as well as those wanting to have some affordable, competitive fun on four wheels,” says Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association.

“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is firmly established as the world’s premier event celebrating the very best in classic and contemporary motor sport and it seems fitting that we can use the occasion to attract more participants to the sport.”

About: Go Motorsport is an initiative by the Motor Sports Association, the governing body for all four-wheeled motor sport in the United Kingdom. At the hub of the far-reaching campaign is www.GoMotorsport.net - a dedicated website with expert advice on how to get involved in all areas of motor sport with search engines helping visitors to find local events, race/rally schools, motor clubs and other useful information.

Detailed information about Go Motorsport is available at www.GoMotorsport.net, which also has the logo available for download in the Media Gallery.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-4 July) is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create the largest car culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex this annual hill-climb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive. Entry is by advance ticket only. For more information: www.Goodwood.co.uk.

Go Motorsport Ambassadors:

David Brabham
Martin Brundle
Vicki Butler Henderson
Jenson Button, OBE
David Coulthard
Anthony Davidson
Louise Goodman

Damon Hill, OBE
Lord Charles March
Allan McNish
Sarah Moore
Jason Plato
Andy Priaulx, MBE

Robert Reid
Colin Turkington
Darren Turner
Murray Walker, OBE
Sir Frank Williams
Malcolm Wilson, OBE