Karters Help Dixon & Repco Launch Fund-Raising

KARTSPORT NEW ZEALAND - Media Information
- For immediate release

23-09-08

Karters Help Scott Dixon & Repco Launch Fund-Raising Initiative

Over thirty of the country's top teenage karters joined Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon and Repco New Zealand to launch a new fund-raising initiative for the CanTeen teenage cancer charity organisation in downtown Auckland today.

"With Scott we actually had 33 - the same number as an Indy 500 grid," said KartSport New Zealand Development and Administration Manager Robert Hutton.

KartSport New Zealand was approached by the organisers of the launch function and asked to provide a group of young karters to accompany Dixon on a short drive to a press conference where the linkup with Repco and CanTeen would be announced.

And the response, Hutton says, was fantastic.

"It really was, and I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who responded to the call - drivers, parents, sponsors, and kart shops for the professional way they presented themselves and their karts and the effort they put in to support Scott, Repco and the CanTeen charity."

Dixon, who started racing karts at eight before graduating to cars at 13, drove a kart prepared and specially sign-written for the occasion by Auckland kart shop Right Karts.

"That was a special touch and now, I believe, the bodywork, donated by Right Karts and signed by Scott, will be auctioned to help the fund-raising process."

To recognise Dixon's achievement in winning this year's Indianapolis 500 the karts and karters were lined up in 11 rows of three - just like the real Indianapolis 500 grid. And once Dixon and the group had completed their short drive the karters were invited to stay and watch the press conference.

As part of his new involvement with Repco and CanTeen Dixon will undertake number of promotional/marketing initiatives in the coming months.

The first will involve promoting a special Scott Dixon bandana which will go on sale at Repco stores throughout the country next month.

Dixon said at the press conference that he was delighted to be able to work with Repco to raise funds for CanTeen.

"I have been very fortunate to be able to pursue a career in a sport that I am passionate about and the success I have enjoyed this year on and off the track makes me appreciate how lucky I have been. The reality though is that there are many young people who face a much tougher battle with cancer. If through my association with Repco we can help raise funds together for CanTeen, then that's fantastic."

CanTeen marketing manager Brad Clark confirmed that sentiment, saying;

"This is our key fund raising campaign and having Repco and Scott's support will help raise awareness and drive sales which in turn will enable us to fund greater levels of activity for the young people we support throughout the country."

The distinctive red and grey Scott Dixon bandanas will be available for just $4 each from all 83 Repco stores around New Zealand on Thursday October 9.

CanTeen supports young people aged 13-24 living with cancer. To find out more about it go to www.canteen.org.nz

ENDS

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