Hydraquip is to run a special charity event primarily for the fluid power industry, Karting for Heroes, in association with Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine on Sunday 23 May 2010. The initiative is based on Hydraquip’s Chunder in the Park, an event that has been running for the past nine years, and which this year took the total raised to over £40,000 for numerous worthy causes. Geoff Kelley, Hydraquip’s commercial director, explained the rationale behind Karting for Heroes: “Karting for Heroes is not affiliated to the well-known and respected charity Help for Heroes Karting for Heroes, but instead has been set up to support the charity. Thousands of men and women of the British armed forces put the defence of us all before their own safety, and Hydraquip believes it is only fitting that it seeks to raise as much money for injured military personnel as possible.
The Help for Heroes charity itself will be present on the day, selling goods and raising awareness.”
Kelley adds that Karting for Heroes is primarily designed to be a fun charity event for charity, although it will no doubt be highly competitive “from the very first corner”. Karting for Heroes will take place at Buckmore’s 1200-metre outdoor circuit over 3 hours in 70-mph karts. A pre-race practice session will be included in order for participants to familiarise themselves with their karts. There will be 35 teams, each paying an entry fee of £380. Teams will be allowed a minimum of four to a maximum of six drivers, and will undertake a three-hour endurance race proceeded by a short practice session. A raffle and an auction will also feature at the event, and it is anticipated that a guest of honour will be present to congratulate the winners at the end of the event and present them with their trophies. 
 
Fund-raising target and support
Hydraquip has set a minimum fund-raising target of £5000 for Karting for Heroes, but is hoping that it can beat this figure with the help of the enthusiasm and generousity of the teams and their supporters. One of the special features earmarked of event is a ‘Bid for Pole’ where teams will be able to buy their way up the grid. “This could technically be described as bribery, but since it’s all for charity and not an FIA-sanctioned event we believe this is totally justified,” said Kelley, adding: “The more money a team raises the nearer the front it will be … at least for the start. After that, it’s everyone for himself or herself. We suggest that teams set up a ‘Just Giving’ page for their team or bring a cheque or cash on the day. If previous pole bids at Chunder in the Park are anything to go by, we will significantly boost our total for the day.”
According to Kelley, “while the number of teams that enter contribute greatly to the final amount we will raise, we are also looking for the support of companies who can donate items or services that we can raise additional money in the raffle or auction. Anyone who may be able to help should contact me through the Karting for Heroes website.” The new website www.kartingforheroes.com has been set up specifically for the event, which will have all the information anyone needs to either join in or find out about the event and the reasons behind it.

Worthy initiative
Ryan Fuller, Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine’s sales director, commented: “We are delighted to be able to lend our support to such a worthy initiative as Karting for Heroes. Based on our own hands-on experience of Hydrauip’s Chunder in the Park event over the past few years, this new initiative promises to be highly entertaining, as well as being an ideal vehicle for raising funds for our forces. We look forward to working closely with Hydraquip in order to make Karting for Heroes a resounding success.” Kelley concluded: “Based on what we have achieved locally with our Chunder in the Park races, I feel we are at the start of an annual event for the fluid power industry that will generate tens of thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes.”

[Photo caption] Hydraquip has set a minimum fund-raising target of £5000 for Karting for Heroes, but is hoping that it can beat this figure with the help of the enthusiasm and generousity of the teams and their supporters.

 For more information, please visit: www.kartingforheroes.com