A CHARITY calendar featuring spectacular shots of road racing events around the British Isles has raised more than £4,000.
The calendar, now in its third year of production is produced by the Road Racing Supporters Club and funds raised are donated to road racing-related charities.
Sales of the 2012 edition have topped the 700 mark and have reached all corners of the globe.
Andy Findlay, one of the photographers whose work features in the calendar and who is also part of the team producing it, said: ‘Race fans as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and North America, not to mention Europe and the British Isles, are currently enjoying a lovely shot by Stu Baker of TT star Ian Mackman on their respective walls.’
Members of the Road Racing Supporters’ Club came to the island to present a share of the proceeds to the Rob Vine Fund, the Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club helicopter fund and the Southern 100 helicopter fund. Each of these received a share of the £3,600 funds cleared so far.
The team were also guests at the Hoggies Awards organised by Dr David Stevens and the Hogg Motorsport team where their efforts received an unexpected trophy.
‘Our members are humbled yet proud to accept the recognition for our continuing efforts to support road racing on the island,’ Mr Findlay said.
Among the shots featured in the calendar is one of Irish road racer Wayne Hamilton who died in an accident near the 13th milestone at last year’s Manx Grand Prix.
Mr Findlay added: ‘The 2012 edition is often referred to as “Wayne’s Calendar” in recognition of the late Wayne Hamilton who tragically lost his life. Wayne was a superstar in the making and he is sorely missed by the whole racing community.
‘We were humbled when the Hamilton family asked roadracingsupporters.com to link donations that race fans made in Wayne’s memory to our calendar. With a great sense of pride we accepted this responsibility wholeheartedly.’
Mr Findlay said at the end of last year they sent donations in memory of Wayne to the same organisations. ‘They totalled a magnificent £900 which we think is a fitting tribute to a fine young man,’ he said.
‘Wayne’s family also made the trip over to the island to be with us when we made the presentations.’
The fund raising effort is almost a continuous task and Mr Findlay added: ‘We are already planning our annual exhibition during the TT Festival at St Ninian’s Church, Douglas.’
Once again the exhibition proceeds will support the same charities.
Mr Findlay said they were already planning their itinerary for the 2013 calendar, looking for the special shots to include in next year’s edition.
The calendar’s sponsors and supporters include Neil Hallett of Hallett Aviation, Steve Mort of Hein Gericke in Chester, Matt Warren of Lincolnshire Meat Company, Den Chandler of Stakstop, Mugs4u and Erin Thomas and Davy Hamilton of Emerald Road Racing Magazine.
