VIDEO – The Karting Marathon Jules Bianchi launches its 10th edition

Philippe Bianchi and Franck Lagorce, organizers of the Karting Marathon in tribute to Jules Bianchi, kicked off the 10th edition this Friday at 7:41 p.m. The drivers set off for a 42-hour effort for a worthy cause. The event can be followed live via video.

July 17, 2015, is a dark date in the history of motorsport. The day a highly talented driver passed away after a nine-month struggle following a terrible accident on October 5, 2014, during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.

On that day, Jules Bianchi passed away too soon, at just 25 years old, becoming the first—and to date, the last—driver to die in a Formula 1 accident since Ayrton Senna, more than twenty years earlier. While Jules’s death had a profound impact on the Bianchi family, it also gave rise to a wonderful charitable initiative led by his father Philippe, now supported by former driver Franck Lagorce.

The two men organized an extraordinary event: a karting marathon in tribute to Jules, with proceeds going to support medical research into severe brain injuries, funding medical equipment, and supporting patients’ families.

For this 10th edition, Bianchi and Lagorce are fully booked: 35 teams are at the start, representing 482 drivers from all walks of life. Some are professionals, like Sami Meguetounif (Trident, Formula 2) or Sam Bird (McLaren, Formula E), while others are simple amateurs, who have come to try their luck and enjoy a moment of teamwork.

Ahead of them lies a colossal challenge: 42 hours, 19 minutes, and 50 seconds of racing, equivalent to the distance of a marathon. In addition to professional drivers, several celebrities have joined the celebration, where mindset is a top priority for Philippe Bianchi and Franck Lagorce. Motorsport enthusiasts Benjamin Biolay and Arnaud Tsamère are expected, as are some of the cast of Plus Belle La Vie, former footballer Peter Luccin (ex-OM, PSG, etc.), and many others. Jean Alesi will be present on Sunday to lower the checkered flag.

You can follow the race on the event’s WebTV below, presented by Lionel Chamoulaud and hosted by Marie Caizz.

Source article : https://www.autohebdo.fr/actualites/autres-courses/karting/video-le-karting-marathon-jules-bianchi-lance-sa-10e-edition.html