Aldershot Town Chairman Shahid Azeem proves he’s the wheel deal this Sunday by representing The Shots in a unique charity stock car race at Aldershot Raceway.
Shahid will drive a Vauxhall Corsa restored by clients of Aldershot homeless charity Step By Step, in conjunction with Surrey’s GASP Motor Project and Spedeworth, in the meeting which begins at 1pm on Sunday. The race, in the under-1800cc Back to Basics banger class, is the culmination of a six-month project – brokered by The Shots – to kick-start the lives of local young homeless people through a course in car maintenance.
With GASP providing the mechanics expertise via its mobile unit, a team of five young people have worked on restoring two vehicles to stock car race specifications during weekly sessions at Spedeworth’s Hollybush Lane headquarters.
The 45-car field also features Shots Commercial Manager and all-time record goalscorer Mark Butler, plus several Club sponsors: Trevor Chillery of TJ Services Fleet, builder Gary Finney, Nigel Brake of Oakwood Property Services, James Scarlett, and representatives of Yateley MOT and Goldstation.
Shahid said: “I’m really excited about racing, but at the same time a little nervous and scared. I’ve never taken part in a banger race before, but I’m so proud of the Club’s contribution to this cause that a few bumps and bruises will be worth it. I just hope that the car has heated leather seats and a good stereo system!”
Launched in Surrey in 2005, as a diversionary activity for young people involved in joyriding and car theft, GASP Motor Project help to change behaviours and support young people in making a successful transition into adult life through education, employment and training. Initially providing evening mechanics lessons and a go-kart track in a custom-built motor workshop, GASP moved to a larger workshop on the SITA site in Albury in July 2012.
Formed in 1961, Spedeworth Motorsports are the UK’s largest Short Oval racing promoters, racing at purpose-built stadiums across England, including Aldershot Raceway at Rushmoor Arena. Featuring a mixture of contact and non-contact classes – including the spectacular National Hot Rods, a variety of Banger classes and the mighty Brisca F1 Stock Cars – Spedeworth also race at Wimbledon, Eastbourne, Ipswich and Great Yarmouth, plus in conjunction with Incarace at Hednesford Hills, Northampton International Raceway and Birmingham Wheels.
Aldershot charity Step By Step empower homeless people and those facing adversity with a structured combination of services including accommodation, support, training, and counselling. Offering drop-in support and advice services, plus emergency shelter accommodation, education and employment training, and family mediation, Step By Step help people achieve their full potential.
For further details of Sunday’s race, at the Aldershot Raceway on Rushmoor Road, near Rushmoor Arena, visit www.spedeworth.co.uk.
