Jenson Button has revved up for back-to-back Grands Prix in Spain and Monte Carlo by joining the Motor Sports Association's far reaching Go Motorsport initiative for a trip down memory lane.

The reigning FIA Formula 1 World Champion and current series leader is one of many high profile Ambassadors supporting the UK governing body’s campaign to help more people into all areas of motor sport.

In his role as a Go Motorsport Ambassador – as well as inspirational former student – Button revisited all three of the schools that he had attended when growing up in the town of Frome, Somerset.

The morning started with a visit to the Vallis First School that the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver attended as a child. After Button appeared in front of huge school assemblies at the Selwood Middle School and, finally, the Frome Community College where he completed his formal education. Button spent an hour in each school talking to the current generation of students, answering a raft of questions and meeting some of his old teachers.

"From a personal point of view it was fantastic for me to go back to the three schools I went to when growing up in Frome," said Button.

"Looking at the bigger picture, though, it’s great that Go Motortsport is going into schools all around the country showing students of all ages what motor sport has to offer whether as a career or past time. I was lucky that my father bought me a kart when I was eight years old but for others it’s not so easy to get started. That’s why I’m delighted to be supporting this initiative and happy to help whenever my diary allows."

As part of the busy programme all three schools also received a Go Motorsport presentation from Rob Manger, one of ten Regional Development Officers employed by the campaign to present all the attractions and opportunities offered by motor sport to school assemblies and classrooms throughout the UK.

"We are delighted that Jenson has found time to support this campaign in his home town,' said Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association.

“Both he and Lewis [Hamilton] are great role models and their fantastic achievements are inspiring more and more youngsters to get involved in motor sport. Jenson was lucky enough to have a father who competed but for others without such a strong family connection it can be tricky to know where to start. That’s why we have set up this Go Motorsort School Visits programme as well as the Let’s Go Karting scheme, which lets those aged eight to 16 have a go in a racing kart for just £5."

"Whether its World Champions or the high-tech industries that put them on the grid, Britain has always been at the forefront of global motor sport and we are confident that the investment that the MSA is making today will help to maintain our enviable position in the future," he added.

(LB)