Josh Benson Brabham's Celebrity Karting Challenge preview

West Yorkshire's Josh Benson lines up against F1 greats -- and BBC commentators! -- in charity kart race

Talented teenage racing star Josh Benson will put his driving skills to the test in the ultimate challenge, when he fulfils a childhood dream of racing against some of the speediest ex-F1 drivers.

The 18-year-old from West Yorkshire will battle wheel-to-wheel with the likes of Alex Wurz, Allan McNish and Franck Montagny as part of David Brabham's Celebrity Karting Challenge, to be staged this Friday as part of the Autosport International show at the NEC, Birmingham.

The charity event is run by Racing4Charity and is set to raise thousands of pounds for Malaria No More UK, which aims to ensure every man, woman and child at risk of the disease in Africa has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2010.

Benson, who lives in Drighlington, near Bradford, and will compete in the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain this year, said: "The Celebrity Karting Challenge is an exciting, fun and friendly way to start the 2010 season but it's also competitive and an incredible experience. Where else can you race against the F1 drivers I grew up watching on the TV?

"It's sobering to think that during our 90-minute race, 180 tiny babies and little children will lose their lives to malaria. I'm delighted to support Racing4Charity and Malaria No More UK and hope I can play even a small part in the fight against this terrible disease."

Benson's other 'rivals' in the sporting showdown include BBC F1 commentators Anthony Davidson, Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie, as well as three-times World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and British rally ace Mark Higgins.

He will be part of 'The Race-Boots Boys' team and will race alongside GP2 racer Sam Bird and 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholarship winners Michael Meadows and Euan Hankey. Two 'guest' drivers will also enjoy the experience of a lifetime when they take part in the charity challenge. The team has been entered by Fyshe Limited, the adidas motorsport partner which distributes adidas racing boots through its Race-Boots.com website.

Benson and his team-mates will compete on a specially-erected karting track in Autosport International's Live Action Arena, designed by Apex Circuit Design. The temporary venue will be built by an Army Air Corp team in just 90-minutes and will be a match for many permanent circuits, with live timing facilities, safety barriers and a dedicated pitlane.

-source: josh benson racing