IndyCar: U.K. kart race to honor Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

GaplekNews--Dan Wheldon, who was killed on Oct. 16 in the Izod IndyCar Series season finale in Las Vegas, will be honored in a memorial endurance kart race on Dec. 5 at the Daytona Milton Keynes karting circuit in Milton Keynes, England.

The event, staged just 10 miles away from Wheldon's hometown of Emberton, will see drivers from all types of motorsports join to remember the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner. The race is being organized by Johnny Mowlem, a longtime personal friend of Wheldon and a successful sports-car racer. Mowlem aims to raise funds for the Wheldon family's nominated charity, the Alzheimer's Society.

The list of professional drivers set to participate includes 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button, reigning IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, F1 and sports-car driver Anthony Davidson, Le Mans winner Guy Smith and World Touring Car Championship title contender Rob Huff. Mowlem hopes to attract a full grid of drivers who knew or who raced alongside Wheldon.

“I just wanted to put together an event to honor Dan,” Mowlem said in a statement. “Aside from raising funds for one of the family's chosen charities, I wanted to bring together people who knew and raced with Dan, to have some fun in his honor and give him a send off he would have been proud of.

“The event has the full support of Dan's family, and his dad and brothers will be taking part and share in the evening. I hope members of the public will also appreciate the opportunity to take part and remember one of Britain's most successful and charismatic champions.”

Non-pro drivers will also be able to honor Wheldon by racing. Between 25 and 30 teams of four people, each including a professional driver and three members of the public, will take part in the two-hour endurance race aboard DMAX 125-cc two-stroke water-cooled karts.

Entries, available for $240, can be booked by calling 0845 644 5503 or e-mailing dwmkr@daytona.co.uk. Professional drivers will also make a charity donation. autoweek