Strawberry pair pips GP rivals

Varley and Reilly score brilliant 1-2 at Kart Masters

For the past thirteen years, the annual Kart Masters event at PFi has been the jewel of the British karting’s summer
season. The chance of winning the sought-after ‘GP’ plates attracts large grids, and as a result the racing is often fast and
furious.

The team’s Junior Max star, Josh Webster overcame a chassis bending crash during Saturday’s warm-up – which required
some ‘caveman tactics’ to try and straighten it out again – and went on to finish 16th and 2nd in his two heats: good enough
to secure him a sixth row grid position for the first final. His team-mate, Barrie Pullinger had had a similarly torrid time but
qualified just one row ahead, in tenth position.

Their fortunes would be polarized in the opening moments of the race. Despite losing a place at the start, Josh was able to
recover and steadily climb up the order to take an excellent 2nd place. In contrast, Barrie was out almost instantly – the
victim of a crash and with a broken wheel.

Unable to cut in at the start of the Grand Final from his outside position going into the first corner, Josh dropped to fifth
place, whilst Barrie conversely enjoyed a dream start. He rocketed from thirty first on the grid up to seventeenth.

As the race settled down, Webster began to pick his way through to the runner-up spot. In the midfield, Pullinger had
something of a rollercoaster ride, but was eventually able to seal a respectable fifteenth place.

In the Senior category, Luke Varley led the line with strong performances throughout the weekend. Fastest in his group
during Timed Qualifying, he won his first heat and finished fourth in the second. James Greenway and Joseph Reilly fared
less well, although James also did take a heat win.

In order to join his colleagues in the pre-final, Joseph found himself needing a top six finish in the B-final (or repecharge)
and didn’t disappoint, winning it with ease.

He then delivered a barn-storming drive, to leap-frog from twenty ninth to sixth place in the pre-final. Varley had assumed
the lead almost immediately and duly won to take first blood and pole for the Grand Final. Greenway was unable to get into
his stride and became embroiled in a four-kart dice just outside the top ten, where he stayed.

As the air thickened with tension, Luke emerged from the fog of exhaust smoke to lead the Grand Final. Joseph also
profited, nipping into third, then second, in quick succession. The pair broke away and was able to open a gap of over
three seconds from Michael Simpson’s similar Tony Kart, which they held to the chequered flag.

Strawberry boss Warwick Ringham said, “I’m very pleased, especially for Joseph. He had a couple of bad heats – one
where we had to start from the back of the grid and the other where he broke a rim. To go from the B final to finishing
second was just fantastic.I said to Luke before everything started on Saturday, whoever qualifies on pole will have the
early advantage. He focused on making sure it was him and he did it. From there, he was consistently in the mix. He
deserved his victory.”

Regarding his Junior stars, he commented “I’m really happy for Josh. He did very well and I think second was a good
result. Unfortunately Barrie broke a wheel in the first final and that put paid to his chances. But he showed character and
didn’t give up. I would also like to say a special thanks to Paul Chambers for his efforts and contribution to our success. He
gave us great technical support and a big ‘Thankyou’ to Paul Carr who worked wonders helping to get Josh’s kart
somewhere near driveable again. I’m also grateful to all the drivers and members of the [Strawberry] team for their efforts
and of course to Steve, Tim, Richard and Heather at Steve Ogden Engines for their support and fast engines!”

To find out more about Strawberry Racing Team and the winning Tony Kart EVR chassis, visit
www.strawberryracing.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS & IMAGES

Please contact Adam Jones at 100cc PR – 01702 390348 / 0781 8061503 / onehundredpr@yahoo.co.uk /
www.100ccpr.co.uk

28 July 2009