Champion Formula Renault UK team Fortec Motorsport has finalised its four-car line-up for the upcoming Winter Championship after agreeing a deal with leading Formula A kart driver Peter Rees (Pangbourne, Berkshire).

The 19-year old’s entry into Formula Renault UK marks his first foray into car racing and he hopes to use the Winter Championship - which takes place at Pembrey, in Wales, and Croft, in North Yorkshire, early in November - as a learning curve in readiness for a possible full campaign with Fortec in 2005.

Speaking ahead of his car debut, Rees said: “I’ve done a few tests with the team and things have been progressing well. I’m really viewing the winter as a learning experience and if we do well then that’ll be a bonus.

“We want to do Formula Renault UK next year so the Winter Championship will hopefully be a building block for us. Some of the other championships we could look at are easier than Renault but tough competition is what it’s all about and this is where we want to be.”

Throughout 2004 Rees competed in the blue riband Formula A class of the Renault-backed MSA British Kart Championships while also contesting European Formula A races with the works Maranello team.

Some of his karting highlights include finishing seventh overall in British Formula A in 2003, ninth in the Federation Cup at the 2003 World Championships, 10th in the 2003 European Formula ICA Championship and ninth in the 2002 British Formula ICA Championship.

During the Formula Renault UK Winter Championship with Michelin Rees will join already confirmed Fortec drivers Stuart Hall (Halstead, Essex), Ben Freudenberg (Northampton) and Dutch driver Yelmer Buurman.

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