Australian driver Daniel Rochford will race alongside Intrepid Force Rotax teammates Imre Birizdo of Hungary and Austria’s Kevin Reichard in Senior max this year at the Rotax Euro Challenge.
PRESS RELEASE:
AUSSIE DANIEL ROCHFORD TO RACE WITH INTREPID FORCE ROTAX
Intrepid Force Rotax announced today that they have invited Australia’s Daniel Rochford to join the team at the 2008 Rotax Euro Challenge…
The 16-year-old impressed the Austrian-based team when he competed at the Rotax Grand Finals last November, racing against some of the World’s best junior drivers in the class. Rochford will join his new team-mates Imre Birizdo of Hungary and Austria’s Kevin Reichard in Senior Max, who finished 4th and 5th respectively at the Max Finals event. In the Rotax DD2, Dominik Kraihamer will make his Euro Challenge debut in the premier class with the team, at the first round in France on March 26–30.
IFR race team manager Ernst Penninger says the team is excited about the decision, explaining that they have helped make it possible for Daniel to race in Europe, giving him a good platform to develop his future Motorsport career.
“In line with the team’s philosophy, it’s about ‘racing to get there’. Our expectation of Daniel for now is mainly to see him gain the necessary experience in this, his first year in seniors. Of course, we believe he’s quite capable of winning. We’re looking forward to working with Daniel and Peter [Cathcart], who have recently moved to racing Intrepid and also continuing our successful relationship with Australian drivers, as we have the past three years.”
For Daniel, the chance to compete in Europe is something he has only dreamed of up until now, but this has not come easily and still means looking for personal sponsors to help back his campaign. Australian company Sniper Laser Alignment Systems has offered to assist the young Aussie driver as part of their ongoing support of the Austrian team.
How did the opportunity come your way to drive in the Euro Challenge with ‘Intrepid Force Rotax’?
DR – “After racing at the Rotax Grand Finals last year in the United Arab Emirates and having very solid results all week, Intrepid Force Rotax believed that I had the potential and could further develop my racing skills in the Euro championships.”
What was your first reaction when you got the news?
DR – “I was very excited and over the moon to be racing the Euro Challenge with such a competitive team.”
What do you see as the main benefits of being with IFR for your first race in Europe?
DR – “I believe that being part of Intrepid Force Rotax will be a great learning experience and give me the best possible chance to achieve my goals.”
So, what are you expectations of racing in the Euro championship, especially after having competed against many of the drivers at the Rotax Grand Finals late last year?
DR – “I will do my best and do everything possible to perform in striving for top ten and hopefully even podium finishes.”
It’s a long way to France, it’s winter and you’ll be racing on a track you’ve never driven on. How will you prepare for this event to perform to your best ability?
DR – “Before leaving, I’ll be practicing in my Intrepid Kart in Australia by doing some long stints to keep in shape. Also competing in the Victorian open recently gave me some good race time. In France, I will also be watching the on-track action, as I believe it is the most affective way of learning about a new track.”
With Peter Cathcart assisting you as he did at the Grand Finals, what approach will you take to the opening round of the series?
DR – “We will approach the First round with a positive, open-minded, “can-do” attitude as we did at the World Finals.”
How do you think you will go?
DR – “I am pretty confident in myself. I’ll listen to the advice of Peter and the team then I think that I can achieve consistent and good results. I just can’t wait to get there!”
Are you hoping to do all four rounds of the championship?
DR – “Absolutely yes!”
Daniel’s engine technician and mechanic for the European championship Peter Cathcart of CC Racing says he is looking forward to the experience and working with the Intrepid Force Rotax Team. Unfortunately, the Aussie pair will miss the Australian Nationals, when they fly out for Paris on Saturday.
IFR Team updates and results can be found at www.racetogetthere.com