The atmosphere was electric at Daytona Sandown Park as some of the live events industry gathered for the first Kartfest in three years. With CHAUVET Professional returning as headline sponsor, Backup raised a grand total of £35K.
In opening proceedings, Backup trustee, Lee Dennison paid tribute to Backup Chair, John Simpson, who was instrumental in starting the charity and worked tirelessly to ensure it fulfilled its remit and sadly passed away in June. He then welcomed 33 teams who were about to take their places on the starting grid, with the hope of becoming Kartfest 2022 champions.
Adding to the fun, was the first Roadie Games, which started with the Flight Case Team Relay on the main track, which was almost as fast and furious as the racing itself, closely followed by field events to test the strength, endurance and industry skills of the teams taking part. Also new this year is ‘KraftFest’, which saw Backup partner, Big Drop Brewing, Signature Brew and Green Room Distillery’s gin on site with their delicious drinks.
As well as the familiar faces of the industry, including Music Supports Chief Executive, Eric Mtungwazi, and Backup’s Jess Allen, who highlighted the importance of Backup’s Mental Health First Aider courses, Kartfest welcomed its future stars, students from Ravensbourne College’s Creative Capital and Solent University’s Sonar TV societies who filmed the fun and live streamed the action during the day, so that anyone who couldn’t attend in person could still watch the action.
Freelancer Team ‘Quicker Than a Cam Op to Catering’ was announced Kartfest Champion’s 2022, with CHAUVET Professional in second place and SSFL in third. Simon Allan claimed fastest qualifying lap for Team Christie Lites and the Driving Miss Daisy award went to Sara Ande from team ESG Global.
“It was fantastic to see so many of our friends from the industry at Daytona Sandown Park and to be able to honour John’s legacy in such spectacular form,” said Backup Vice Chair, Piers Shepperd. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to our headline sponsor, CHAUVET Professional and event sponsors Autograph, Collaborative Creations, LED House, Medialease, SFL, The Technical Dept, Unusual, the fabulous ‘Adam Fabulous’ for a six hour DJ set, Daytona, Ravensbourne College’s Creative Capital and Solent University’s Sonar TV societies and the Kraftfest sponsors Big Drop, Green Room Distillery and Signature Brew, plus all the wonderful volunteers helping out on the day. Thanks also goes to all the companies generously donating raffle prizes Big Drop, CHAUVET Professional, Christie Lites, Creative Technology, Daytona, Epson, Green Room Distillery, Lightpower Collection, Martin Professional, Sennheiser and Neumann, Shure, Signature Brew and Yamaha.
Dennison added: “Thank you to all the teams that took part, as well as those spectators who came to cheer on and enjoy the day. The passing of John, our beloved Chairman and Founder, made this year’s event a statement in his name and to raise the amount of money we have for the charity that he was so passionate about is truly wonderful.”
Fellow trustee Paul Robson concluded: “We’re all acutely aware that although the industry is now back at work the pandemic has left its footprint on the industry, which makes the work Backup does just as important, if not more so, than it ever was before. The final total of £35K will go a long way in supporting our amazing family. John would be proud and grateful to you all.”
