Oli set to star in £50,000 race for charity 07.01.09 | 18:58 The BP Ultimate Celebrity Challenge (9 January 2009) is billed as a 'Who's who of world motorsport' and this Friday's event has attracted a stellar line-up of famous names from the world of motor racing. Naturally then, the annual charity fundraiser held at the world's biggest racing car show - Autosport International - at the NEC, Birmingham will feature Oli. He has been invited by Motorsport News - Britain's premier weekly motorsport newspaper - to take on the world's best drivers in a bid to raise £50,000 for charity. Oli said, "I'm looking forward to it. There are some big names already entered, including some of the guys I race against in F3, so it'll be great to take them on in a fun event before the season starts in earnest." The televised event has attracted drivers from many different disciplines, including the most successful driver ever to race at Le Mans, Dane Tom Kristensen, triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and former F1 test driver Oliver Gavin. Dan McCalla, editor of Motorsport News' Karting page and who selected Oliver for the team said, "It speaks for itself that Oli is not only a former World Karting Champion, but is also Britain's last at that level. He still enjoys karting and gets into a kart as often as he can. When I offered him a place, he jumped at the chance." Commenting on his expectations, McCalla added, "It's difficult to say. We won't have the Public drivers (members of the public who have paid to take part against the professionals) that some of the other teams will, so that gives us the advantage. (The MN team is entirely composed of top-flight karters) but it's all down to how good a kart we're given and the random grid slot we'll be allocated. I'd like to think we can get a podium though. I'd be very happy with that." Oli will take to the track along with drivers from 15 other teams from 3pm on Friday 9 January. << back to news