Two Champions, One vice-Champion, Six Seeded Drivers, One Team
The results speak for themselves. Strawberry Racing won two of the three Super 1 titles it contested, narrowly missed out on the third and saw six of its eight drivers awarded a coveted seeded race number for the 2011 season.
Yesterday (10 October) at Three Sisters, George Russell added the Super 1 crown to the ‘GP’ plate he won at Kart Masters last August. The reigning MSA Cadet Champion delivered a mature performance to finish each of his races well inside the top ten. Although pressed hard by his rivals, George held his nerve to finish in 7th and 5th places to win the championship by just three points.
With no time to celebrate, and bidding to take their second series victory of the weekend, the team saw Jack Marshall pipped to the overall Junior Max victory - despite scoring a brace of podium finishes (2nd and 3rd). Jack Barlow’s 3rd and 5th place finishes were good enough to see him complete his first year in the class as top rookie with 4th. Shaun Pirie endured a torrid weekend, but was able to complete his year as a seeded driver with 14th in the title race.
“Jack (Marshall) could only do what he could do,” said Team Manager Warwick Ringham. “Had we not had difficult rounds at Larkhall and Buckmore Park, it could have been a different story because he actually scored the most points, before dropped rounds were factored in.”
In stark contrast to George Russell’s on track celebrations, Tom Fawcett’s triumph in the senior category was completed in the paddock. 4th in the pre-final was enough to seal his first national title from his season-long rival, Jake Ball. With his points advantage secure and not needing to jeopardize it in the second final, Tom wisely chose to sit it out. He watched Ed Brand overcome damaged knee ligaments to take a superb 3rd on his debut with the team. Barrie Pullinger’s double 7th-place finishes secured 11th in the championship. James Greenway and Ren Nagabuchi both had a trying time at the Lancashire venue, compounding a tough learning year for the Japanese star and a frustrating one for Rotax Winter Cup winner James.
“Tom kept his head and didn’t panic,” observed Warwick. “Although I feel a bit sad that he couldn’t celebrate winning (the title) on the track. You don’t get anywhere near the same euphoria standing in the pits. I would like to congratulate Tom, George and Jack Marshall for their successes and the rest of the boys for their efforts and achievements throughout the year.”
Strawberry’s season is still far from over. George Russell and Jack Barlow are vying to win their respective classes in the Formula Karts Stars championship, which concludes at Ellough Park on 17 October. After that, Jack travels to Zuera with Ed, Euro Max Junior Champion Joel Affolter, Mats van den Brand, Barrie, Berry Torenvliet and Jack Marshall, to compete in the inaugural International Open (27/31 October). Opportunities to race with Strawberry and the Tony Kart Junior Racing Team in 2011 are still available. For more information, please call Warwick Ringham or Paul Spencer on 0114 269 6215/0114 288 9933 or e-mail info@strawberryracing.co.uk
