WINTER CHAMPION STROUS IS THE MAESTRO AT CROFT

Dutch ace Junior Strous won the Formula Reault UK Winter Championship with Michelin, which finished at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire this weekend.

The 19-year-old took the upper hand by finishing second in the opening race of the double header and then drove a tactical race in the finale to secure the title for his team AR Motorsport.

“It was very tough for a Dutch team to come here and beat the best of the British drivers and teams, as we didn’t know the tracks," he said. "The Winter Championship is very good with many quality drivers so I’m very pleased to reward the hard work done by my team with the title."

The prize of a registration for the 2006 Formula Renault UK Championship may tempt Strous and AR Motorsport to race in Britain next season. “It would be great to come and race here and I’ll be talking to my team about it in the next few weeks”, he said.

Star of the day was Chinese driver Cong Fu Cheng (Oxford), after becoming the first driver from his country to win a race in the UK. The 21-year-old won the first race and was second in the final race to scoop the Vice Champion’s trophy. “This was a great finish to the season for me and very good preparation for next season when I will come back to race in Formula Renault UK," said Cheng, who is backed by McLaren Mercedes. "Winning a race at this level is great for my confidence and I want to come back and be in contention for the title.”

Irishman Patrick Hogan came to Croft in the joint lead of the series but was never able to mount a challenge. Fourth place in the first race left him six points adrift of Strous but when he lost the nose cone from his Fortec Motorsport car in race two his title hopes were over and he finished third in the points.

Race two saw youngster Jeremy Metcalfe (Fleet) win his first ever car race. He dominated the 12-lap event leading all the way from pole position to chequered flag in his Team AKA car. “I have had a tough season but am delighted to finish with a win”, he said.

Provisional Winter Championship Points after four rounds: 1. J. Strous 106; 2. CF. Cheng 101; 3. P. Hogan 84; 4. J. Sutton 83; 5. M. Niemela 61.

For all the latest Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar

Full result times available at www.msttiming.com