Motor Sport has always been considered to be clear of doping problems but the idea behind ‘Race True’, run in partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is to increase the awareness of inadvertent doping, and promote its prevention, especially to young drivers. Both Prof. Saillant and Mr. Macaluso held a press conference about the campaign at the event on Sunday October 1, 2006.

Prof. Saillant said: “The reason for the campaign is not a high rate of doping in karting and motor sport, but rather to raise the awareness that doping exists in all sports. It is the responsibility of the CIK-FIA and the FIA Institute to inform and warn of the dangers, as well as instigate controls.”

Mr. Macaluso added: “Drivers, like all professional athletes, must be extra careful. Not wanting to take drugs is not sufficient to produce a negative result in a doping control. They must be aware that they will be held responsible for any prohibited substance that could be identified in their sample whether they took that substance intentionally or not.”

The effects of doping are particularly dangerous in motor sport because drivers are not just putting themselves at risk but also other competitors, spectators and marshals at the track. It is important for drivers to inform a doctor and consult the list of products prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency before taking any medication that may contain a banned substance.

Using the campaign message ‘Race True’, the CIK-FIA hopes to enlighten young drivers about the importance of steering clear of doping. The effort has already broken new ground as it is the first time that a major stand-alone anti-doping promotion has targeted motor sport.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, an ambassador for the campaign, said: “I can only support the engagement of the CIK-FIA to fight for a clean sport. For the first time, an effort like this is taken within international karting and even within the frame of any FIA championship, and I think it is worth it.”

To help spread the message, the CIK-FIA set up doping prevention stands at its recent karting events in Mariembourg and Angerville. An anti-doping guide was made available to all drivers, as was WADA’s Prohibited List. The CIK-FIA’s multi-lingual staff was on hand to answer any questions. The stands were a great success at both events with all of the drivers, as well as the public, receiving information about the campaign.