CHAMPION PEARSON WINS PRESIDENT'S CUP
Formula Renault BARC ‘Club’ Class Champion Ian Pearson (Didcot, Oxon) is celebrating another title after winning the President’s Cup at the British Automobile Racing Club’s end of season Awards Presentation night on Saturday, February 4th.
The 25-year-old, who was only denied a clean sweep of victories in the 12-round series by a mechanical failure in the final race, accepted the surprise honour from The Earl of March, the President of the BARC. Earlier in the evening, Pearson had been officially presented with his Formula Renault BARC Championship trophy by Championship Manager Simon North.
The BARC is responsible for 42 championships at National level and below. The President’s Cup is presented to the driver who, in the eyes of the Competition Department of the BARC, has been: “The most consistently successful member at BARC organised race meetings below international status.” A record of 11 wins, 10 pole positions and 11 fastest laps unquestionably meets the criteria, but Pearson said the award still came as a shock.
“I had absolutely no idea that I would win, until The Earl of March began reading out the introduction,” explained Pearson. “The Earl said that it was someone who had already been up to collect a prize and when he mentioned some of the statistics I thought ‘this sounds like me’. I’m absolutely over the moon about it.”
Pearson joins former Renault Championship drivers Andy Priaulx and James Matthews as winners of the President’s Cup. Priaulx, the current World Touring Car Champion, won all 13 races of the 1999 ELF Renault Spider Cup, while Matthews won 11 of 13 rounds of the 1994 Formula Renault UK Championship.
Commenting on his status alongside previous winners, Pearson added: “I was looking at the names that are on the trophy, and drivers like Jose Cordoba were who I grew up watching. To win the award and sit alongside them is just a privilege. I’m proud my success last season has been given recognition in this way.”
In 2006, Pearson hopes to contest the Formula Renault BARC Championship in the FR2000 class, and will carry the number one sticker on his car.
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