Honda in 24-hour race for charity
Five team members of the Honda Racing F1 Team will this week be raising money for charity in a real-time 24-hour computer simulation race in aid of BBC Children in Need. Simon Herring, Ewen Honeyman, Richard Pattinson, James Vowles and Matthew Manderson will be competing for Honda at the event, taking place at ‘The Race Centre’ in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, UK.
They are all experienced kart racers and as a team have raised thousands of pounds for a variety of charities over the last few years through special karting events. Adding considerable strength to the Honda squad on the day is fellow charity karter and long time Honda-powered driver Anthony Davidson.
However, stiff competition will come from nine other teams including Porsche Driving Experience, Team Autosport Magazine and Team Auto Express.
The chosen virtual venue for the race, which will run from 2pm on Friday 14 November to 2pm the following day, is drivers’ favourite and Honda-owned Suzuka Circuit, Japan; considered one of the most technically challenging circuits in the world. Adding to the test is the fact that the competitors will all be driving Le Mans Prototype LMP2 cars – purpose-built, closed-wheel racing machines such as the Acura ARX-01B campaigned in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. LMP cars are generally considered the most sophisticated race cars after Formula One.
Funds raised go to BBC Children in Need, which aims to positively change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, with the vision of a society where every child and young person is supported to realise their full potential. The BBC Children in Need annual televised fundraiser is a big event on the UK calendar and last year the appeal raised £37 million, every penny of which went towards projects helping disadvantaged children.
“We’re delighted to be able to support BBC Children in Need through the sport that we all love,” said Ewen. “It’s an extremely good cause that does some tremendous work for kids in the UK. Needless to say we’ll be taking the competitive element very seriously – racing is part of who we are and we’ll be going all out to win but, at the end of the day, win or lose, we’ll have enjoyed the competition and know we’ve contributed towards this great appeal.”
If you’d like to help the Honda 24-hour race team raise money for BBC Children in Need, click on the following link to donate on-line. The Honda Racing F1 Team would like to thank everyone for their kind contributions.
www.justgiving.com/hrf1_childreninneed24hr
The Honda Racing F1 Team 24-hour Simulation Race team:
Simon Herring, Electronics Hardware Design Engineer
James Vowles, Race Strategy Engineer
Matt Manderson, Paint Shop Team Leader
Ewen Honeyman, Sponsorship Consultant
Anthony Davidson, Driver
Richard Pattinson, former Senior Electronics Engineer
