Aventis, Racing for Kids to sponsor Kansas IPS.

Racing For Kids and Aventis Pharmaceuticals have partnered to become the title sponsor for the 2003 Indy Racing League Infiniti Pro Series event at Kansas Speedway on 6 July.

The Aventis Racing For Kids 100 will serve as a showcase event for the 14-year-old Racing For Kids charity, which has a primary mission of using the popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the healthcare needs of children.

Racing For Kids' national spokesperson is IndyCar Series driver Robbie Buhl, and both the Racing For Kids team and Buhl have visited more than 13,000 sick children in more than 220 children's hospitals in cities throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia.

"We've had a successful programme in Kansas City before as a regular stop on the IRL circuit," Buhl said, "This year will be extra special as we use this title sponsorship to gain new exposure for our programme and, more importantly, bring some kids from local hospitals out to the track to see the action close up."

Aventis Pharmaceuticals is a long-time sponsor of Racing For Kids, has a large manufacturing plant in Kansas City and employs more than 800 people. Kansas City is also headquarters for the company's North American industrial operations.

"Our associates really support their local community, and we're very proud to sponsor what will be an exciting event this summer," said Dan Maher, vice-president of those North America operations, "We hope to gain some new exposure for our national charity, Racing For Kids, and also provide some smiles and memorable experiences for some of the children in their programme."