Formula E Drivers and Billy Monger to Help Raise Funds for Charity with Electric Kart Race in Paris
Jean-Eric Vergne to organise charity race to raise awareness of newly-formed FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission
PARIS, FRANCE (April 18, 2018) – Some of the stars competing in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will get behind the wheel of electric karts alongside Billy Monger to raise funds and awareness for disabled aspiring drivers looking to make it into motorsport.
Taking place ahead of the Qatar Airways Paris E-Prix at the RKC karting track outside of Paris on April 25, the race has been organised by current championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne – with the support of the newly-established FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission and its President Nathalie McGloin.
Monger – who lost both his legs in an accident last year – wasn’t able to attend last year’s event due to his injuries. Since then the young British driver has made a remarkable recovery and will participate in the race using a specially modified kart.
The funds raised will be donated to the charity Spinal Track, which gives disabled drivers an avenue back into racing. To donate and show your support – click here
Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “I’m proud that the Formula E grid is continuing to take the initiative with this event to show their support for the newly-formed FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission. Also, it’s fantastic to see Billy will be joining us in Paris – I think he’ll give our drivers a hard time on track! I’d also like to thank Jean-Eric Vergne for putting the race together and helping to raise funds as a collective group for such a great cause.”
Jean-Eric Vergne, current championship leader and TECHEETAH driver, said: “Less than 12 months after his crash, Billy returned to single-seater racing using a specially-adapted car and finished third on his first race back. This outstanding news proved to us all that no one should ever give up on his or her dream – and that if we all stand and work together we can make a difference. We make the impossible possible and we can motivate others to follow the same path. Billy will come and race with us at RKC – my karting track on the outskirts of Paris – for the #BillyWhizz charity kart race on April 25. I’d also like to give special thanks to SODIKART, who has built 25 electric karts for this occasion.”
In addition to building on the success of his recent podium finish and seeking to secure sponsorship for the remainder of the season, Monger is also supporting the UK-based charity Spinal Track – who give disabled drivers the opportunity to experience their first-ever track or rally days in bespoke cars.
Monger is looking to offer his own expertise to other disabled drivers through instructing at events, as he makes plans to gain his ARDS licence. He added: “I’d love to give back to the motorsport community and this is a great way to do this. It’ll be a great experience for me, as I plan the next stage of my career to instruct other racing drivers in single-seaters and saloon cars – once I have my ARDS instructors licence.”
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About the ABB FIA Formula E Championship:
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is the electric street racing series and the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater category in motorsport. Formula E brings electrifying wheel-to-wheel action to some of the world’s leading cities, racing against the backdrop of iconic skylines such as New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Rome.
The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The fourth edition of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will see 10 teams and 20 drivers compete in 10 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned champion. Hong Kong hosted the season-opener over the course of two days on December 2 & 3, with the championship coming to a close in New York in July.
Formula E is more than just a race to be the best – it’s a competitive platform to test and develop road relevant technologies, helping refine the design and functionality of electric vehicle components and speeding-up the transition and uptake of clean transportation on a global scale.
For this season, more manufacturers have joined the electric revolution with reigning champion Lucas di Grassi looking to defend his title for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team. More big-name manufacturers have also committed to race in Formula E – including BMW and Nissan in tandem with the new-look car and battery in season five, along with Mercedes-Benz and Porsche who also plan to join the following year.
Follow Formula E:
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About ABB:
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalisation with two clear value propositions – bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully-electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com
Sources: ABB FIA Formula E Championship: PR