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Strawberry’s Rotax campaign continues to bear fruit
Date: 7th May 2009
The music industry call it ‘Difficult Second Album Syndrome,’ and after the corresponding fixture in the British Super 1 Championship at Rowrah, in Cumbria (25/26 April) Team Manager Warwick Ringham could be forgiven for coining the phrase, ‘difficult second round syndrome.’
Despite Luke Varley taking an excellent first and second, his team-mates endured more varied fortunes, but Warwick was keen to point out the positives.
Luke’s masterly performances were undoubtedly the highlights of the weekend, as he battled for supremacy with - arguably the top Max driver of the past five years - Michael Simpson (also on a Tony Kart).
In the build-up to the day’s two points-scoring finals Luke was second-fastest in Timed Qualifying, which he then followed up with 4th and 1st places in his two heats – putting him 3rd on the grid for the first final.
His kart visibly had the edge over his rivals and after taking control of the race, he won it handsomely. In the return encounter, an improved set-up saw Simpson take the advantage - but Luke was never more than two metres from the former champion’s rear bumper. Neither driver made a mistake, which prompted Warwick to comment, “Luke’s come on loads. He’s absolutely on it at the moment. That second final was a great race, and for once I didn’t mind coming second if it was to a driver of Michael’s calibre.”
Fellow senior Max drivers Joseph Reilly and James Greenway had tougher weekends, but again Warwick was pleased with their progress.
“James took a brace of third places and then finished just inside and outside the top ten in both finals. Rowrah can be a tough place to come to and take points from but he held his own and should be satisfied. Sure, there’s room for improvement but he’s in a very healthy position in the points table.”
On Joseph’s fortunes, he said “Of the three, Joe is on a steeper learning curve. He’s the youngest in the senior team and whilst he’s had great success in Europe (he won the inaugural Winter Cup in February) he’s learning that the style of racing in the UK is very different. It’s a lot harder and because of some recent off-track commitments, he’s not had the opportunity to test as much. So considering all that, I think he’s doing a good job.”
Junior star Josh Webster’s Championship ambitions were dealt a cruel blow after a terrific start to his weekend.
Third quickest in qualifying, he was also fast in his heats, finishing second and first respectively. A tangle whilst dicing for second position put the Strawberry driver out of the race.
Unfortunately, as he fought his way back up the order in the main final another collision proved terminal to his chances of a finish worthy of his efforts. Warwick noted, “Crashes are an inevitable part of racing. Josh was doing everything we asked of him, but sometimes moves don’t come off. We’ve just got to move on but again, up until those two points in the finals, he’s been going like a train. He’ll bounce back.”
The team will return to European action at the end of May (27-31), when they travel to Italy for the second round of the Euro Max series, at the appropriately named Kart Planet circuit near Busca in the Piedmont region.
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