Race Against Cancer

The Race Against Cancer (TRAC) is a biennial International charity motorsport event held in Europe, conceived by Rick Osborn and Matt Roberts. Held for the first time in November 2007 in Hertfordshire, England, the concept behind the event is to bring a collection of racing drivers together to race purpose built racing karts money for Cancer Research UK.

Despite being a competitive event, the drivers enjoy the relaxed international atmosphere and the opportunity to race drivers and riders from other formulae than their own. The event is also well known for its discerning corporate backers, including the likes of Alpinestars, Bowers & Wilkins, Google and Shell. According to the official website, the second TRAC event is to return in 2009.

2007 - First TRAC event

The inaugural event was held at Rye House, situated in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. It featured a variety of motorsport stars including reigning Euro F3 champion Romain Grosjean, WTCC race winner Alain Menu, GP2 winner Javier Villa and MotoGP 250 winner Mika Kallio. The karts used were 100cc 2-stroke racing karts, capable of speeds in excess of 70mph. Multiple motorbike and Formula One world champion John Surtees championed the inaugural event, calling for it to become a regular fixture on the motorsport calendar.

Results

Superpole Qualifying:
1st - Javier Villa
2nd - Riki Christodoulou
3rd - Matt Hamilton

Heat #1:
1st - Javier Villa
2nd - Ben Hanley
3rd - Sam Bird

Heat #2:
1st - Alain Menu
2nd - Sam Bird
3rd - Riki Christodoulou

Grand Final:
1st - Javier Villa
2nd - Sam Bird
3rd - Riki Christodoulou
4th - Thor Ebbersvik
5th - Tim Sugden
6th - Jon Lancaster
7th - Jonathan Kennard
8th - Paul Rees
9th - Chaz Davies
10th - Rob Huff

Fastest Lap - Riki Christodoulou - 43.35s

Additional positons of interest: 11th Alain Menu, 12th Romain Grosjean, 18th Chris Harris and 20th Bradley Smith.

James Jakes, Mika Kallio, Tom Onslow-Cole and Ben Hanley all suffered accidents forcing them out of the race.

2009

A date has not been confirmed for the 2009 event, however rumours are suggesting late November along with a potential European street circuit as a venue. Sources suggest venues being scouted include racing around Sicily with roads that once made up The Famous Targa Florio using Porsche tuned 2-stroke engine racing karts and over 40 International drivers. No official details have been released.

Media

Emma Rigby talks to event organisers Matt Roberts (L) and Rick Osborn (R).

The race received much acclaimed media press coverage and was featured in Top Gear Magazine, Autosport, EVO, GPUpdate, Motorsport News, Karting Magazine, Pistonheads and more. The race was also televised and aired in June 2008, the show produced by Blueflair Productions was presented by Emma Rigby and featured InterViews with Damon Hill, Alain Menu and Rob Huff.

Official sites