FFord: Harkesport names driver line-up

Formula Ford newcomer Harkesport has named its driver line-up for the 2010 season.

The new outfit, led by Jenson Button’s former race engineer Roger Parkes, has signed teenage karter Adam Parsley to race alongside team owner Mark Harper.

The Harrogate-born Parsley has spent five years racing in karts and plans to complete the full season in one of the team’s Mygale chassis. He will be eligible for the Scholarship Class.

“Formula Ford is the natural step for me but we’re still going to need more support if I’m to be sure of being on the grid at Oulton Park in April,” said Parsley, who is still looking for sponsorship to ensure he completes the season.

“The next few weeks are going to be pretty frantic but it’s a dream worth chasing; we can only hope there are companies or individuals out there who would like to share it.”

Harper, who finished seventh in the Scholarship Class and 22nd overall in his rookie Formula Ford season in 2009, is looking forward to working alongside the 16-year-old Parsley in what will be an all-Yorkshire driver line-up.

“We’re delighted we’ll be able to present ourselves as a Yorkshire team” said Mark, who will also takes on the role of team manager.

“We’d like to think we can represent everything which is good about the county; some old-fashioned grit out on the circuit married to a sensible approach to the racing budget.

“It’s not going to be easy taking on some of the established names in the sport but, with a nice mix of youth and experience, we just might be able to spring the odd surprise this year.”

Watch the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) in 2010.


Andy Wilkinson