Reigning TCR UK champion Chris Smiley will be visiting Buick Memorial Primary School, Cullybackey on Friday 23rd June with his leading edge Honda Civic Type R race car to talk about all things motorsport and racing related with the school's pupils.
The Carrickfergus-based driver will be in attendance in an initiative backed by fresh food specialists Cranswick Country Foods Ballymena, to promote the everchanging world of motorsport, and the available pathways to fantastic careers in the industry, in which the United Kingdom is recognised as being one of the best in the world.
The event is also a part of Cranswick Country Food's community drive, with the aim of the event to help raise funds to build a much-needed new playground at the school.
Smiley's brand new race car, the Honda Civic Type R FL5Â TCR, will also be on display, and Chris will talk through about the car, and motorsports in general, and what an exciting multi-skilled category it is, with many different things to do.
The Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey, Northern Ireland was established over a century ago in 1900. Buick provides its pupils, aged 3-11, with a stimulating and caring environment in an orderly, yet relaxed atmosphere where children are encouraged to reach their full potential and everyone is valued as a unique individual.
Chris Smiley, 2022 TCR UK drivers' champion, said:
"I'm really looking forward to going to Buick Memorial Primary School this week with my Honda Civic race car, and to talk about my favourite subject, motorsport.
"Having a race car on display is always an exciting sight, and our new Civic Type R is also a beauty to look at. There's a lot more to motorsport than meets the eye, and it's great to talk to the pupils and talk to them about the car and what an exciting discipline motor racing is.
"I'm thankful to the school for the opportunity, and to my amazing sponsor Cranswick Country Foods for supporting the initiative."
Tony Demaine, Site Director at Cranswick Country Foods, said:
"It's a fantastic project to bring real-world activities such as motor racing to the pupils of the Buick Memorial Primary School, as it's both exciting, and gives a great insight into the industry and how their studies can be used in a real-life environment such as motorsport or similar industries.
"Cranswick Country Foods is involved in many community-spirited activities, such as raising funding for research into dementia, supporting mental health and kids’ hospices as well as our local community. Which is why we're also such a proud supporter of this historic and amazing school, and we're delighted to have helped with putting this event together for the school and with Chris and the Restart Racing team."
Miss Rikki Peters, School Principal, said:
"Road Racing and Motor Sport have long been high profile sports in our catchment area and our children will be very interested in this initiative. STEM subjects are introduced at an early age, fostering a sense of curiosity, teamwork and also, competition.
"To have Chris and his racing car actually here, in school, is a great stimulus to our existing school projects and no doubt, it will act as a springboard for some new ones too. It is a fantastic opportunity to see top flight sportsmen and state of the art engineering at first hand. Who knows how such an experience may inspire Buick engineers of the future?
"Thank you to Cranswick Country Foods for their continued support of Buick Memorial throughout each academic session. We are so privileged to have such community support here in Cullybackey and I look forward to continuing our partnership working to benefit the children of the village."
Ian Paisley, MP for North Antrim, said:
"As MP for North Antrim I am delighted to welcome touring car champion Smiley and his racing team and championship car to Buick Primary School in Cullybackey.
"The car will be on exclusive display for the children of the Primary school to see and explore. Science and technology and maths are very important subjects for children and applying them in the real world of work is what racing teams have to do.
"Friday’s opportunity to see the car and talk to Chris will help inspire children to work hard at those subjects. Cranswick Country Foods are one of the team's sponsors and I appreciate their support for this endeavour."