RIDE24 has become the first UK closed circuit event to gain Race Across America (RAAM) qualifier status for solo riders looking to prove they are good enough to take on the world famous endurance cycling race.

Organised annually by children’s charity Action Medical Research and operated under British Cycling technical regulations, RIDE24, which will take place on June 18-19 at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit, is the UK’s only 24-hour cycling endurance track event.

RAAM is a non-stop, 3,000 mile, coast-to-coast ride, which usually takes at least eight days for the fittest and fastest riders to complete.

Action Medical Research supporter Chris Armishaw, from Billericay, is the first rider signed up to attempt the RAAM qualifying standard in this year’s RIDE24 event. The 46-year-old plans to take on RAAM in 2012 to try and raise £50,000 for the charity, which helps fund vital medical research into conditions affecting babies and children.

RAAM race director Fred Boethling said: “We are delighted to include RIDE24 as a UK qualifying event for Race Across America. Riding for 24 hours non-stop should give solo participants a very small idea of what they will need to put themselves through should they brave the challenge of RAAM.”

RIDE24 sees participants compete to travel the greatest distance in 24 hours. The event is open to both teams and solo riders, with winners in each of the following categories: four-man team, six-man team, mixed-sex team, all-female team, veterans and solo rider.

The winning RIDE24 four-man team will secure themselves a free place in the French 24 Heures Velo event at the legendary Circuit Bugatti in Le Mans, and Swiss watchmaker Roamer will present a watch to the rider who completes the fastest lap.

RIDE24 registration costs £299, while each rider is set a sponsorship target of £1,250. For more information and to enter, visit www.action.org.uk/R24