Perfect weekend sees Fawcett and Strawberry take the initiative
Strawberry Racing’s Tom Fawcett delivered a peerless performance at Rowrah (17/18 April) to seize the British Super 1 Max title initiative. He left his rivals trailing in his wake, scoring back to back victories in Sunday’s finals to open an 18-point lead in the championship table.
Throughout the meeting it was Fawcett’s name topping the results sheets – from Timed Qualifying, through the heats and ultimately to the pre and main finals.
Behind him, Japanese star Ren Nagabuchi - demonstrating superbly that he is rapidly getting to grips with the cut and thrust of the British style of racing – had strong heat results and a top ten finish in the feature race.
“Ren was really good! His first race (at the opening S1 round at PFi in March) left him a bit unsure of himself, but he’s now more comfortable with the tyres, the team and of course, the racing. He was top rookie and showed great character and that he can drive!”
Barrie Pullinger again drew praise from his team manager Warwick Ringham after another promising series of drives. Unfortunately, a crash in the pre-final saw him finish well done the order, necessitating a feisty drive back up the order in the main race, to an eventual 14th place at the finish -“Things are looking promising for Barrie. He’s another one who has much to learn, but with every race just keeps on getting better. By mid-season, I think he may start surprising a few people.”
Strawberry’s Winter Cup champion, James Greenway continued to feel the effects of recent surgery and was forced to withdraw from the event after his first heat.
In the Junior class, Jack Marshall was again underlined his burgeoning talent with a brace of runner-up finishes that installed him at the top of the points table.
“Jack was really good all weekend,” said Ringham. “He’s come on loads and exceeded all my expectations. He’s beginning to look like championship-winning material – he’s quality.”
The team’s latest signing, Shaun Pirie, enjoyed a solid start to his Strawberry career with a pair of top-15 finishes at the ‘business end’ of the day and impressed his new boss; “Shaun had a lot to deal with and get used to – coming into a new team, learning the characteristics of the Tony Kart EVR chassis, working with different personnel etc. He did really well. I think we have a good, solid platform to build from.”
In Mini Max, George Russell had a torrid time in the finals. He crashed in the first encounter, but fought back to 7th. In the main final, George was running as high as 2nd - but would eventually cross the line in 12th position. However, he had done sufficient to maintain his position as one of the title protagonists.
Rowrah is a tough place to make your debut, even if you’re an experienced racer, and so it proved for Canada’s Lance Stroll. Lance was also making his first appearance with Strawberry and found the experience a stiff challenge. Warwick observed, “We did throw him right in the deep-end, but fair play to him, Lance stuck to his guns, never complained and learned a hell of a lot. He’ll take a little while to get his head round our style of racing, but he comes very well recommended and I’m sure he’ll deliver.”
Despite a strong overall performance from the team, the day belonged to Fawcett. Ringham said, “Tom was the class of the field, all weekend. He didn’t put a foot wrong and it’s all looking very promising now. In fact, I’d say pretty stunning actually.”
Strawberry Racing uses the Tony Kart EVR chassis and Ogden-prepared engines.
