Robertshaw Racing has confirmed its driver line-up in preparation for a unique twin challenge on the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship and the ELF Renault Clio Cup Championship, with the team making its debut in both series.
Team Principal Gary Robertshaw (Newcastle) will race in the ELF Renault Clio Cup with Alex Williams (Newcastle), who raced for the team in last season’s Scottish Mini Cooper series, contesting the Formula Renault UK Championship.
Commenting on the difficulty of entering both series, Robertshaw, 31, said: “It will be a challenge, but I love a challenge. We’ll have slightly more manpower on the Formula Renault side because that is more of an unknown to us. We have experience with Mini Coopers and although Clio Cup is a step up from that, it should be a smoother transition.”
The team, based in Borden Colliery just outside Newcastle, was formed three years ago to race in the John Cooper Challenge. Robertshaw’s own karting career, which began at age 10, ended at British Championship level due to a lack of funding. But since forming the new team, he has won the 2004 John Cooper Challenge and is now relishing the new season.
“I want the team to grow and by running in the Renault series and doing well I can raise awareness of the team,” explained Robertshaw. “Renault is very proactive at marketing its championships, and it’s got a good name and good track record for drivers moving on to bigger things in their careers.”
As for his own chances, Robertshaw said: “It’s obviously a competitive championship and teams like Total Control Racing and Boulevard have a lot of experience. But if we do our job right, there’s no reason we can’t push them. I’ve worked as an engineer so I understand the mechanics of the car and will be able to say ‘we need to change this to have this effect’, and we shouldn’t be too far off the pace.”
The task facing Alex Williams appears even more formidable as he makes his debut in single-seater car racing. The 17-year-old first came to the team’s attention two years ago in a junior racing league at Warden Law kart circuit, Sunderland, which was being run by Robertshaw. Williams progressed to the Junior Rotax class in the Stars of Tomorrow karting championship before having an introduction to circuit racing in the Scottish Mini Cooper series.
“I probably am a bit behind in terms of experience because most drivers start in karts between 10 and 14 years old,” Williams admitted. “But some people stay in karts for too long and I was keen to move on. I’ve spoken to people about Formula Renault and I know it’s very tough and close racing, but that’s what I like.
“My driving style is more suited to Formula Renault than Minis because I’m quite smooth. I had a test at Snetterton last week with some other Formula Renault drivers and was mixing it with them. I’m very happy to be in the Championship and confident I can do well.”
Williams, who will be eligible for the Graduate Cup as a first-year driver, confirmed he is aiming to use the 2006 season to learn the craft of ‘slicks and wings’ before mounting a challenge on the title the following year.
His team manager, Gary Robertshaw, added: “One thing I notice about Alex is that he’s a consistently fast driver with a very smooth style. You can get away with some rough driving in Minis but Alex is disciplined enough to adapt to the Formula Renault. I think his driving style is ideally suited to the championship and I’m sure he’ll be a title contender in a couple of years.”
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