GoMotorsport, the UK's first ever centrally co-ordinated marketing campaign to encourage new people into motor sport, visited the City of Armagh High School last week!
 
The high-profile initiative is designed to stimulate greater interest in the sport and show a wider public audience - beyond simply motor racing enthusiasts - what a great sport it is and how easy it can be to become involved at all levels, whether as a competitor, spectator, official or trackside marshal.
 
Jonathan MacDonald, the GoMotorsport regional development officer for Northern Ireland, provided GCSE students at the City of Armagh High School with a motor sport presentation during their Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies class.
 
MacDonald, who works in the industry as a journalist and photographer, shared his knowledge with the students, outlining what they can do if they want to get involved.
 
MacDonald was also supported by local up and coming rally driver, Stuart Biggerstaff, who is lying second overall in this year's Northern Ireland Rally Championship. The Dromara driver, together with his father Denis, displayed the Subaru Impreza World Rally Car which Stuart will use at this weekend's Circuit of Ireland Rally.
 
Students had the opportunity to look around the car, and the numerous safety enhancements of a competition car were highlighted. The school's Principal, Andrew Turkington, nabbed a closer look behind the scenes, as he jumped into the passenger seat for a demonstation of launch control!
 
The Motor Sports Association (MSA), the governing body of motor sport in the UK, is funding the £250,000 GoMotorsport project. At the heart of the initiative is a website, www.GoMotorsport.net, which has simplified the sport for interested beginners across three key areas.
 
'Go Drive' highlights the many driving disciplines recognised by the MSA, with details on how to participate, costs, requirements, where to go, who to approach and a searchable database of clubs.
 
'Go See' lists venues and events by region and postcode making it easy for the for the public to find out what is on near them.
 
'Go Help' explains the many roles that are available from administration, acting as an official or becoming a fully-trained trackside marshal and how to become involved.
 
GoMotorsport has attracted a stunning line-up of famous names from motor sport to endorse the scheme. They include local driver Colin Turkington, who recently claimed the British Touring Car Championship title. Alongside Turkington, F1 World Champion Jenson Button and former champion Lewis Hamilton are also behind the campaign, as well as a host of other famous names.
 
School presentations play a large part in the GoMotorsport project, and Jonathan MacDonald will be introducing the initiative to many schools over the coming months. If your school would be interested in receiving a visit from GoMotorsport, Jonathan can be contacted by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . More details can be found online at www.GoMotorsport.net.