Ahead of next weekend's Paris ePrix, the grid of the Season Four Formula E Championship will be racing electric karts in support of inspirational British racing driver, Billy Monger.
Monger, 18, was the victim of a heavy accident in 2017 when racing in the British Formula 4 championship in which the youngster from Surrey, nicknamed 'BillyWhizz', lost both of his legs.
Shortly after the incident last year, an event of this nature was held, but due to the extent of the injuries that he sustained, Monger was unable to attend.
After making a remarkable recovery, however, Monger will attend this year, using a modified kart after recently finishing on the podium in the British Formula 3 championship driving an adapted car for Carlin.
Jean-Eric Vergne, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship in Formula E for Techeetah, organised the event with the backing of the all-electric single seater series and the FIA's newly-formed Disability and Accessibility Commission.
”Less than 12 months after his crash, Billy returned to single-seater racing using a specially-adapted car, finishing third in his first race back!” said Vergne.
“This outstanding news proved to us all that no one should ever give up on his or her dream and that if we all stand and work together, we can make a difference. We make the impossible, possible, and last but not least, we can motivate others to follow the same path.
“On April 25th 2018, Billy will come and race with us at RKC, my karting track on the outskirts of Paris, for the #BillyWhizz Charity eKart Race thanks to the support of SODIKART who has built 25 Electric karts for this occasion.”
While supporting Monger, the karting event that will be held in the French capital will also raise awareness about disabled professional and non-professional racing drivers. Monger also hopes to offer his expertise in racing to other disabled drivers as he attempts to gain his ARDS instructors licence.
"I’d love to give back to the motorsport community and this is a great way to do this," he said.
"It’ll be great experience for me as I plan the next stage of my career to instruct other racing drivers in single seaters and saloon cars once I have my ARDS instructors license.”
