and returns to JRP                                                                             

Luke has left the Strawberry Racing and Tony Kart Junior teams to forge a new relationship with Dean Panrucker’s Millennium Motorsport and renew his association with Mark Berryman at JRP.

Panrucker is widely acclaimed as one of karting’s top driver coaches and has been responsible for the successes of many drivers.

Speaking about his shock move, Luke said, “I’m excited to be working with Dean. His reputation is second to none and already, we have begun to work well together. He’s very encouraging and inspiring and I’m looking forward to working with him at home.”

He added, “I would like to thank Paul Spencer and the rest of the Tony Kart Junior and Strawberry teams. I enjoyed my time with them enormously and we have parted on good terms. They are terrific outfits, but I think I needed a little more one to one coaching before I could really do myself, and them, justice.”

Panrucker – who won the KF3 British Open and Super 1 Championships last year with Carl Stirling – commented, “I’m looking forward to working with Luke. He’s a great lad and I hope we will have a lot of success together.”

Luke will also renew his partnership with Mark Berryman at JRP – with whom he enjoyed several successes in 2008 - when he competes in Europe.

“Mark will be responsible for running the kart and engines side of things and like Dean, he is one of the very best in the business. He’s just incredible at getting the equipment to perform at the highest possible level.” 

Luke’s first race with Millennium will be at the challenging Rowrah circuit in Cumbria, this weekend (6/7 June). He said, “It will be a bit strange going up against my friends at Tony Kart but I’m very focused and naturally, I want to beat them. However, I really do wish them all the best and we will remain friendly rivals.”

Luke will take to the track on Saturday morning for free practice before timed qualifying starts at 1:40pm. He will have his first heat later that afternoon followed by another on Sunday morning with the points-scoring finals taking place in the afternoon.