25th August 2006

Karting’s world governing body, the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA is set to launch a new doping prevention campaign in partnership with the FIA Institute and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Motor Sport has always been considered to be clear of doping problems but the idea behind the new campaign is to increase the awareness of inadvertent doping, and promote its prevention, especially to young drivers. The campaign will initially focus on the CIK-FIA World Cup and World Championship events in Mariembourg, Belgium and Angerville, France, and may be rolled out to other motor racing events in future.

CIK-FIA President Luigi Macaluso said that the campaign was aimed at preventing drivers from unintentionally taking banned substances and reinforces the view that anyone who considers using an illegal substance will face serious consequences. Macaluso commented: “Drivers, like all professional athletes, must be extra careful. Not wanting to take drugs is not sufficient to produce a negative result in a doping control. They must be aware that they will be held responsible for any prohibited substance that could be identified in their sample whether they took that substance intentionally or not.”

The effects of doping are particularly dangerous in motor sport because drivers are not just putting themselves at risk but also other competitors, spectators and marshals at the track. Extreme caution is therefore necessary. It is important for drivers to inform their doctor and consult the list of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency before taking any medication that may contain a banned substance.

Using the campaign message ‘Race True’, the CIK-FIA hopes to enlighten young drivers about the importance of steering clear of doping. The effort has already broken new ground as it is the first time that a major standalone anti-doping promotion has targeted motor sport.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, an ambassador for the campaign, said: “I can only support the engagement of the CIK-FIA to fight for a clean sport. For the first time, an effort like this is taken within international karting and even within the frame of any FIA championship, and I think it is worth it.”

To help spread the message the CIK-FIA will set up a doping prevention stand at the Mariembourg event, from 31 August until 3 September, and at Angerville, from 28 September until 1 October. An anti-doping guide will be made available, as will WADA’s Prohibited List. The CIK-FIA’s multilingual staff also will be on hand to answer any questions.

At the stand, drivers and members of the public will be encouraged to take part in a doping quiz (available in 14 languages), where they could win T-shirts and other prizes. The driver with the best score in the quiz will win a steering wheel autographed by Michael Schumacher, and those in the second and third place will be rewarded with VIP tickets for the Italian Grand Prix.

To further help get the message across, a senior figure from the world of motor sport medicine will be present at each event. FIA Formula One medical delegate Dr Gary Harstein MD will be present in Mariembourg and Professor Gérard Saillant, deputy president of the FIA Institute, will be in attendance at Angerville.