Front-running Formula Renault UK team Mark Burdett Motorsport has announced a three-car line-up for the upcoming Winter Championship, which commences at Pembrey, Wales, in just over a week’s time.
Norfolk-based Venezuelan star Rodolfo Gonzalez (Attleborough) remains with the Skegness team and the 18-year old will be aiming to build on his best result of ninth position from the main 2004 championship.
Having debuted with Manor Motorsport during the 2003 Formula Renault UK Winter Championship, Gonzalez went on to compete with Paston Racing for the first half of this year before a mid-season switch to Mark Burdett Motorsport.
Category newcomer Chris Dent (Merryoaks, Durham), meanwhile, is hoping to make an immediate impact on his competitive Formula Renault UK debut having tested several times with Mark Burdett during the season.
The 19-year old, who previously competed in TKM, Rotax Max and Formula 100 National Karting, moved into the Formula ZIP Championship in 2003 and enjoyed a successful season before an injury curtailed his participation. This year he’s concentrated on Formula Renault testing and obtaining the necessary budget to contest the upcoming Winter Championship.
Simon Pearson (Doncaster, South Yorkshire) takes the third Mark Burdett Motorsport car and makes a long-awaited return to the category he last competed in during 2000. Having been away from competitive action due to financial constraints, Pearson is aiming to make his experience of Formula Renault count and provide the team with some excellent results.
Team boss Mark Burdett is hopeful of a successful winter campaign, commenting: “All three drivers should do well and especially Rodolfo who has come a long way since he joined us part-way through the main season. He’s shown a lot of potential and seems to have recovered from the broken arm he suffered at Donington Park.
“Simon has gone well in testing, he’s gone quicker and quicker every time he’s been in the car and he certainly went well the last time he was with us in Formula Renault a few years ago. I definitely rate Chris as an impressive young driver and he’s tested with us on a few occasions this year. As a team we’re looking forward to the championship and we’re confident of some solid results.”
For all the latest Formula Renault UK Winter Championship with Michelin news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
