Tuesday 19th October 2004

Fund racing campaigner makes it to podium

Over £7,500 raised for cancer charity

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John Cooper Challenge - Round 12: Brands Hatch, 16 October 2004

Cheshire racing driver Andy Sayle finished on the podium at Brands Hatch last weekend, to end a season long campaign which has raised over £7500 for Cancer Research UK.

Competing in the 2004 ‘John Cooper Challenge’ in a works race-prepared Mini Cooper S, Andy decided to use his racing car to help raise money for the charity and promptly set-up the ‘racing4research’ fundraising initiative.

Explains Andy, “The idea came to me last year, following the loss of my life-long friend through cancer. We both shared a passion for Minis ever since buying old Mini Coopers as our very first cars.

The idea was simple, the car was divided up into blocks in a chequered flag design and donors added their name by making a £100 donation directly to Cancer Research UK. In return for making the donation, they also received two free race tickets to a ‘John Cooper Challenge’ event and a limited edition baseball cap”.

During 2004 Andy has competed in 12 race events at top circuits throughout the UK, including Silverstone, Donington, Oulton Park and finally Brands Hatch in Kent, where he finished in third place in the race and fifth overall in the championship.

Andy is no stranger to motorsport, with over ten years of racing experience, from top-level karting, through single-seaters and most recently in sportscars at British and European level. Andy is also a qualified racing instructor and occasionally instructs at his local circuit Oulton Park.

Said Andy “It has been quite a challenge this season, as this is my first time racing in saloon cars and it took me until mid-season to get used to the very different driving style. However at the last three events, I have been quickest on test days and qualified on the front row several times, so I am hoping I can do the series again next year and have a serious go at the championship”.

Said Peter Whalley, Fundraising Manager, Cancer Research UK; “We have been really excited by Andy’s ‘racing4research’ campaign. With all the TV coverage and exposure the race series has gained, it has provided us with a great deal of awareness for our charity as well as a considerable financial contribution”.

Andy added; “I would like to thank everyone locally who supported ‘racing4research’ and donated to Cancer Research UK and also to thank Votex Racing and all the guys who helped get me out on track in a quick and reliable car.”

A full race season summary and pictures, can be found on the Web site:
www.racing4research.co.uk, while you can see Forster in action at the final Brands Hatch round of the John Cooper Challenge on Sky Sports 2 on the 20th of October at 19:30 (provisional timings).

More here: www.johncooper.co.uk

[dino ferrana]

This guys deserves a pat on the back for his selfless attitude. £7,500 is a really great contribution!

Well done.

[annodomini2]

Fair Play to you m8!

[andy_b]

good on you.

A guy in the SEAT Cupra Championship, Emmanuele Crouvisier has been doing the same after he was diagnosed with tesicular cancer last year, so has been carrying their logos and auctioning off space on his car for charity.

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