KEVS are leaving the roads behind and hitting the track for the biggest karting event ever staged in Guernsey. A team of young car enthusiasts is raising road-safety awareness by joining in the Festival of Motorsport at The Track on Sunday.

Guernsey Police approached the so-called Kevs after World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx offered to pay their £600 entry fee.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Hamon, who is competing for the Kevs, said there was a misconception about young people who liked to modify their cars and socialise together.

He drives a 10-year-old 1.3 litre Ford Fiesta and has spent more than £3,000 modifying it.

It has blacked-out windows, alloy wheels, lowered suspension, a full body kit and bucket seats.

‘I got pulled over by the police and even though I knew I wasn’t speeding, I thought I was in trouble for something,’ he said.

‘It turned out they wanted to ask me to take part in this event, so I said yes because I think it’s an important message to get across to people – to watch how they drive.

‘I don’t go out on the ﾓKev runﾔ between the Bridge and Town to speed – I go to socialise with my friends and cruise along in my car.

‘People don’t realise it’s not about how fast you are going – it’s about getting together and just having fun.’

Mr Priaulx, whose mind coach and close friend Ian Pollock suffered serious injuries after being run over in St Julian’s Avenue in April, said he wanted to get the message across that speed kills.

‘I sympathize with these people because I share the same passion for driving cars that they do. But having a nice car and driving fast is very much about ego and that can be dangerous,’ he said.

‘If you want to be a top sportsperson, you have to lose that and concentrate on what you’re doing. It’s all about having awareness when driving of what’s around you – pedestrians were there before cars and in Guernsey they are very close.

‘If you are just a little too fast, it can make a big difference. I’ve had some slow-speed accidents that really hurt. A lot of people don’t realise how heavy these vehicles are.’

The event has been organised by Karting Guernsey Ltd and more than 1,500 people are expected to attend, although Mr Priaulx will be unable to make it.

Guernsey Kart and Motor Club members will hold a series of races and the final will begin with a reverse grid to make it more exciting for spectators.

As well as promoting awareness of road safety, it is hoped that £15,000 will be raised for the NSPCC.

The Kev team will be challenging people from the States, the Harley owners, teachers, the Chamber of Commerce, Miss Guernsey and the Mission Atlantic rowers among others.

Sergeant Geoff Austin said police were often seen as the ones spoiling the fun, so they were trying to use the scheme to work with Kevs instead of against them.

‘The problem is that at various times of the day, these young drivers have been putting other road users in danger and we are trying to put an end to it,’ he said.

‘When Andy told us he was interested in road safety, we got on board because we also want to promote responsible driving. Racing is for the track, not our public roads, and we hope this will be the first of many more projects to make the island a safer place for everyone.’