Cerebral Palsy awareness project. 

Using the media friendly environment of motorsport, to actively promote the broader awareness in society for Cerebral Palsy, and the complex needs for the individuals and their families confronted by this disability. Promoting the charities and organisations involved, by utilising available space on the car.

Harrogate medical secretary Maria Brown will be returning to motorsport to promote awareness for, and the understanding of cerebral palsy. Maria gave up her motorsport career eight years ago when she became pregnant with her son Piran. This sabbatical was only meant to be for a few years; however Piran was born prematurely and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. This changed everything and she put her career on hold and dedicated her time to caring for Piran. Maria has always intended to return to motorsport and has now decided to do just that.

Maria, during her long career in motorsport has competed in a variety of machinery, winning the British Autograss championship with a highly tuned 1420 cc mini pick up, and a twin bike engine space frame monster. She then turned her hand to circuit racing, again with Minis in the Mighty Minis national race championship. Maria was the first lady to ever win a Mighty Minis race and went on to many hard fought podiums. After an extremely successful four year campaign, she progressed to the more powerful Super Mighty Minis.

Maria was invited to take part in the Funcup endurance races in an all-female race team in 2004 receiving considerable media attention. She took part in the celebrity kart race at the international Autosport show racing alongside Suzie Wolf and Louise Goodman. In conjunction she also took part in display races in the live action indoor arena at the International Autosport show. She had just successfully completed a test with a BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) when she cut short her career.

Maria is a qualified ARDS instructor and worked with Formula woman assisting female drivers to develop their racing skills through embracing their passion for motorsport, enabling them to realise their dreams. Maria also worked at Palmer sport and a variety of other British circuits as a race instructor. The Motorsports association (The UK governing body) commissioned Maria to drive and review rallycross and sprint cars, and national championships for their motorsport publications. Maria also used her journalist skills whilst competing in the Mighty Minis championship writing for Mini magazine. She is very keen to use the potential exposure generated by her returning to racing, to promote the interest of Charities that have assisted children and their parents or carers. Maria is keen to assist in promoting her chosen charities, understanding and knowledge.

Maria will be competing  in 2015 with her own Mighty Mini with a view of contesting the championship. Maria certainly has the ability to win the championship, but as ever it is budget reliant. The Mighty Minis championship, which enjoys a full season of televised races broadcast to 9.2 million UK homes, has two Classes and enjoys an abundance of media interest through radio, national TV, local and national newspapers,

 

 

including international motorsport and core Mini based magazines Youtube, and other web based channels. With this level of press exposure Maria is confident that her efforts to promote awareness for Cerebral Palsy and the relevant charities will be well placed. This has been assured by the championship organisers offering to have the press spot light on her and her project.

‘In life the unexpected can happen, in my case my whole world was turned upside down. I hope to act as an example to those who have dreams to never give up. This is an amazing opportunity for me to show that with the right motivation anyone can face adversity and still achieve their dreams, with belief and faith in themselves. I am so humbled by the unbridled support for my project and the effort and time that so many have dedicated to make this all possible, I cannot thank them enough. Being able to sit on the start grid again was a distant dream and now I am about to contest a championship, totally unbelievable. I love my little man with all my heart and can’t wait for him to see mummy race it will be a very proud moment for both of us ’

Importation rules regarding vehicles are very specific: Only those over 25 years in age may be brought in to the USA without compilance to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).