Organisers of the 2021 Driver to Europe competition have decided to postpone their prize meaning the winner, James Penrose, will have to wait until 2022 before getting his chance to compete at the British Formula Ford Festival.
Newly crowned New Zealand Formula Ford Champion and Elite Motorsport Academy Camp winner, James Penrose, claimed the drive after winning the 18-lap finale of the 2021 Formula Ford Festival at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Christchurch, in May this year.
“We collectively decided to postpone the drive until 2022,” said Penrose. “The COVID situation over in the UK is currently too risky, and the chance of going into lockdown, or catching COVID and not being able to get back into the country is too high”.
The prize organised by Nigel Barclay and John Crawford, involved a funded drive at the 2021 British Formula Ford Festival on the 30-31 October, later this year. It also entailed a test in a Formula 4 car with Carlin Motorsport and a visit to the McLaren Formula One Team, a prize organised by Motorsport New Zealand, followed by a trip to the USA to test with the Kiwi Motorsport Team.
“Earlier this year, we expected the COVID situation in the UK to be at a manageable level,” commented organiser Nigel Barclay. “Unfortunately, with what appears to be a free-for-all over there, it is understandable the Penrose’s weren’t comfortable putting themselves in that position.”
John Crawford of Motorsport Solutions looks on the bright side of the situation. “The decision may well be a favourable one for everyone involved. We now have the opportunity to ship the Ray Formula Ford being provided for James to use at the Festival into the UK and develop the car and motor, which will give us the best chance of a favourable result. It could well be a Kiwi assault on the UK in 2022 if the winner of the 2022 National Formula Ford Championship goes over as well”, said Crawford.
Penrose will now be turning his attention to opportunities on home soil.
“I have big goals for the upcoming season, and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. However, I cannot thank the sponsors of the Driver to Europe prize enough for the support they’ve provided. I hope to return the favour in 2022 by challenging for the top spot at the British Formula Ford Festival”.
See also: Formula Ford star James Penrose wins Elite Motorsport Academy camp
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