The 2008 British Superbike Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch 4th-6th April, and as the first round approaches the Chris Jones Riders Fund are set for another big season, with the aim of raising more money for the Fund and purchasing more vital medical equipment.
It has been a busy off season for the CJ Fund, rounding out 2007 with the very successful CJ Awards Dinner at the Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. This is already booked in for this year and the date for your diary is the 6th December 2008, once again at the National Motorcycle Museum to coincide with the Motorcycle Show at the NEC.
The CJ Fund have just purchased a mobile unit which will be present at all the British Superbike rounds this season and will be situated in the trade stand area. This will be the main port of call for fundraising during 2008. A whole host of activities will take place there including rider interviews, mini auctions, selling of raffle tickets, which will allow you to win a replica Hannspree Honda CBR 600, CJ badges and Stickers will also be available from the Unit for a small donation to the Fund.
As we are approaching the £200,000 mark the Fund are hoping to provide a large amount of medical equipment this season. After the purchase of the mobile x-ray machine in 2007, which proved invaluable and allowed many rider injuries to be diagnosed at the circuit medical centre, saving the need for them to travel and wait in a hospital.
2008 is set to be another big year for the Fund and so far plans are going very well with our next stage. Our continuing aim is to provide funding for additional medical facilities as determined by the BSB Medical Team. Upcoming projects for consideration include dedicated BSB ambulance(s), ultrasound monitoring equipment and medevac facilities.
All-in-all we are working hard to achieve our goals in making the British Superbike paddock as safe as possible for all the riders and to allow the spectators to enjoy the sport they love.
Come and visit the CJ Team at the Unit over the weekend at Brands and do not miss out on Fred & Scoop's first chat show of the year at the Brands Hatch Thistle, kicking off at 7.30pm. Fred and Larry will be grabbing various riders who will appear throughout the evening at the Thistle.
Lastly once again the CJ Fund would like to pass a special thank you to all the people that have helped us achieve what we have, the fans, marshals, riders and all the staff at MCRCB and MSVR. Plus special thanks must go to companies that have sponsored us to help us get everything sorted and finalised, from flooring, a portfolio and especially the new CJ Unit, without their help none of this would be possible!
