David Brabham, winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours and newly crowned champion of the 2009 American Le Mans Series, has been announced as a Special Ambassador for Malaria No More UK.

Within his new role, the 44-year-old has also confirmed that the charity will be the principal recipient for the 2010 Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International — the world's largest motorsport show, held at the NEC Birmingham in January.

In 2009, Brabham's Patrón Highcroft Racing team, created the inspirational 'Miles to End Malaria' initiative, pledging $10 — enough to purchase one mosquito net — per mile throughout the 2009 American Le Mans Series. Their efforts helped to engage the motor racing fraternity in the global effort to end malaria deaths, raising a fantastic total of $63,133.13 over the course of the ALMS campaign.

“It is a privilege for me to become a Special Ambassador for Malaria No More UK,” Brabham said. “I've decided to support the charity because I think ending the suffering caused by malaria would be one of the greatest humanitarian victories of the 21st century.

“The scale of malaria is mind boggling; it kills over one million people every year, mainly children in Africa and yet it is a preventable and treatable disease. It's great to be passionate about the country you live in, but we have to think globally. We are all neighbours and blood related, living on the same planet. It's insane to think that we still have problems such as malaria in the world, but the only way it's going to get solved is if people act now. It's ambitious but achievable and we can all play our part in making malaria no more a reality.”

David Brabham's Racing4Charity Celebrity Karting Challenge will exclusively return to Autosport International, to offer the biggest and best event yet on Friday 15 January. The only charity event to host the world's top motorsport personalities, while offering the public the dream chance to race alongside them, has raised a staggering £92,000 in the past two years alone.

The 2010 Celebrity Karting Challenge promises to eclipse all others with the 90 minute endurance race to be hosted in the Autosport International Live Action Arena at 3pm.

Boasting a 5,000 seater grandstand, Live Action Arena will allow more spectators to enjoy the race held on a specially constructed kart track, where up to 20 teams, each featuring four celebrities and two public drivers, race head-to-head.

The Celebrity Karting Challenge has become the annual battle ground for top racers from across world motorsport to prove which racing series boasts the best drivers, from karting to Formula One, sportscar racing to single seaters and rallying. Allan McNish, Johnny Herbert, Andy Priaulx, Darren Turner, Marino Franchitti, Emanuele Pirro, Matthew Wilson and Tom Kristensen are just some of the drivers who have previously joined Brabham for the spectacular showdown.