“Fresh additions will bolster title push”
Strawberry Racing has pulled off a shock coup by signing both Junior and Senior Rotax front-runners Rob Holland and Ash Hand.
‘They’ve joined us with immediate effect,’ said Strawberry Racing Team Manager Warwick Ringham. ‘We threw both in at the deep end by getting them to test with us last weekend (20/21 August). It was their first opportunity to try our equipment and for us to evaluate their strengths. I’m very pleased and excited at the opportunity to work with Ash and Rob.’
Holland currently lies 7th overall in the Super One Junior Max rankings, and with two rounds remaining Ringham says the emphasis will be on settling Rob into the team, rather than challenging for outright wins.
‘I want him to use the PFi and Three Sisters races to explore some of the ideas we have about improving his driving. Strawberry has certain techniques and methods, so I’d like to see him adjusting his style and trying these. If he does that, I’m confident he can improve on his points position.’
After starting the season brightly and taking a double podium at Shenington in the second round, Ash has struggled to maintain his early form. Warwick is confident that his latest signing will waste little time in bouncing back.
‘I felt we needed to strengthen the squad for what’s left of this season and of course to create a depth of quality for next year. Ash is an excellent driver and will bat round at the front of the field.’ He added: ‘I’m more than aware that Jack Barlow and Ed Brand are leading the points in their respective classes, but this is not about team orders. There are none - the lads are free to race each other. However, they all know what we want – ideally, a Strawberry one, two, three every time – and you don’t achieve that by knocking one another off. But yes, the fresh addition of Rob and Ash to our line-up will bolster our title push in Junior and Senior Max.’
Holland and Hand will make their Strawberry Racing competition debuts at the penultimate Super One round at PFi on 17/18 September.
