Strawberry Announce 2010 Rotax Lineup

press release

Strawberry Racing has announced its Rotax squad for next year - an exciting line-up composed of up-and-coming talent and championship-winning experience.

In the senior ranks, the team is delighted to retain the services of reigning Euro Max, Kart Masters champion and ABKC vice-champion, Luke Varley. Also staying with the team is James Greenway and junior graduate, Barrie Pullinger. Joining them for the first time is the impressive Tom Fawcett and Dutch rising star, Mats Van Den Brand.

Above: Luke Varley will remain with Strawberry for 2010
pic - kartpix.net

Team Manager Warwick Ringham says, “We’ve had a terrific year with Luke (in ’09) and I’m really pleased that he’s chosen Strawberry for another tilt at the major domestic and international trophies next season”. He adds, “After a very promising season in 2008 and a great start to this year at Zuera, James unfortunately suffered a serious blood infection at the second round and this put a big dent in his championship chances. He bounced back towards the end of the season and regained his form and speed to finish fifth overall in the Euro Max challenge. Had he not become ill, I’m sure he would’ve been much further up the order”.

“Having stepped up from juniors, Barrie is already showing great pace in testing. His first race as a senior will be at PFi on 1 November, so we’ll see how he gets on with the big boys. It’ll be a big learning curve for him, but he’s up for the challenge so we’ll just have to see what happens”.

Turning his attention to the team’s new additions, Warwick comments “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Tom and Mats. Tom’s maturing into a cracking driver and I’ve been really impressed with his performances at home and abroad. His arrival is very exciting. Mats came over from Holland for a two-day test at PFi and it quickly became evident that he has the right combination of speed, attitude and determination, which made signing him an easy decision.”

Warwick is also clearly looking forward to working with the highly promising Jack Marshall and Henry Hunter. “Jack had a torrid first season in the junior class but in testing with us, he’s shown some great speed. He’ll make his Strawberry debut at PFi this weekend (31 Oct/1 Nov) which will be a good opportunity for us to see how his development is coming along. As for Henry, I’m excited about his prospects too. In practice he’s been fast and has taken to the Tony Kart chassis very well. I think he’s really good and a nice kid too. He’s proper.”

George Russell is also working with the team, as he makes the transition into Mini Max. The younger brother of former Strawberry ace Benjy, won this year’s Formula Kart Stars Cadet championship and was vice-champion in the Super 1 series and is another high-profile addition to the team. “We won the World and British Senior Max titles with Benjy two years ago, so it’s really nice to have George join us in the awning and hopefully, follow in his brother’s wheeltracks. At the moment, we’re just helping him adjust to the bigger, faster machinery and we’ll see from there.

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