Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon: €50,000 raised

This weekend, the Circuit Paul Ricard is hosting the 10th edition of the Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon. Organized by Bianchi-Largorce Event, this event aims to raise funds for medical research through the Jules Bianchi Association.

It has already been 10 years since French driver Jules Bianchi died from injuries sustained in a racing accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. His parents, Philippe and Christine, chose to perpetuate their son’s memory by creating the Jules Bianchi Association to support medical research into severe brain injuries, finance specialized medical equipment to improve patient care, and support families: “When you experience this kind of event and you are lucky enough to have a son who is well-known, loved, and who has made an impression on people, you tell yourself that you have to do something. So we created the association in Jules’ name. Unfortunately, we spent a long time in hospitals and quickly realized how little funding they had. We therefore support the Archet Hospital in Nice through the many initiatives we carry out, and once again, we will be able to donate €50,000 to them following this event. This allows us to help the hospital and keep Jules’ memory alive,” Philippe explained at the press conference that kicked off the marathon on Friday.

35 teams, 500 drivers, and a few VIPs

With 35 teams registered to compete on the track in 270cc 4-stroke karts for this 42-hour, 19-minute, and 50-second marathon, the event is sold out. Several celebrities will also be in attendance, including musician Benjamin Biolay, multiple world swimming champion Camille Lacourt, comedian Arnaud Tsamère, actors Catherine Davydzenka and Stéphane Blancafort, soccer player Peter Luccin, and influencer Idreau.

Only Charles Leclerc, the association’s patron, was absent, as he was busy attending his brother’s wedding in Italy. However, he recorded a video message that was broadcast during the event, promising to be there next year.

Combining competition and emotion, this marathon, which will be celebrated on Sunday at 2 p.m. by Jean Alesi, is an important event for the Jules Bianchi association and for the many participants, nearly 500 drivers of varying levels of expertise, as Victor, who is participating for the third time, tells us: “There’s competition. Last year, it was fun to compete against Charles Leclerc and Isack Hadjar. Even though it was very difficult for us to keep up with them! But beyond that, it’s an event with a lot of emotion. We’re all thinking of Jules.“

While the sun shone throughout the first day, rain is expected on Saturday to spice up the race, which kicked off Friday at precisely 7:41 p.m. There’s no doubt that the spirit of this event, which has become a lasting part of the French motorsport scene, driven by respect and competition, would have made Jules Bianchi proud. A first this year, the marathon can be followed live on the Bianchi-Lagorce Event YouTube channel with commentary by Lionel Chamouleau and Marie Caizz.

Source article : https://franceracing.fr/karting/marathon-karting-jules-bianchi-50-000-euros-recoltes/