Get ready for one of the most exciting and open seasons in years.
After bidding goodbye to its 2009 Winter Cup, European and World title-winners - Joseph Reilly, Josh Webster and Luke Varley - Strawberry has been building a formidable new line-up, one that blends race-winning experience with exciting, young chargers.
Making his British debut at the opening round of this year’s Super 1 Rotax championship at PFi this weekend is new signing Ren Nagabuchi.
Strawberry team manager, Warwick Ringham said: “Ren comes to us via Tony Kart Japan. He’d been in the country barely two days, but impressed us with his pace and enthusiasm in testing. He has much to learn about the British style of racing, but I’m confident he will adapt quickly and well.”
Joining the young Japanese in the senior ranks are Tom Fawcett, Barrie Pullinger and Rotax Winter Cup winner, James Greenway.
“Hopefully, James’ win at Campillos last month will be a monkey off his back. Last year he was always up there challenging for wins but suffered from some appalling luck. Now he’s got a big win under his belt, he should have the confidence to take many more. Tom will push him hard though. He’s a super driver and has proved that he’s fast. All he’s got to do now is put it all together.
Barrie’s set his sights high this year and expects to be hot on the heels of the other two lads. Perhaps it’s a little too much to ask him to challenge for wins right from the word ‘go,’ but he’s set realistic targets for himself and I fully expect to see him achieve them.”
Possibly one of the strongest and most exciting pairings in the Junior Max category is that of Henry Hunter and Jack Marshall.
“As part of our preparations for PFi, the boys did a club race there recently and Henry drove from last to fourth. That showed a lot about his hunger and never-say-die attitude. Jack had qualified on pole but was unfortunate in the race. He’s another exciting prospect and won’t be over-awed by the big boys.”
In Mini Max, reigning FKS Cadet champion George Russell will spearhead the team’s assault on the Super 1 title.
“George is very good,” Warwick says. “He’s only just turned twelve and is one of the youngest in the class. He won at PF in January and was pure class. I don’t see why he can’t be a championship contender this year.”
The journey, stretched across seven rounds, starts this weekend and ends in October. Free practice commences on Friday with timed qualifying and the first of two heats taking place on Saturday. The remaining heat and all important finals run on Sunday.
