DRIVER NEWS FROM JOSH BENSON 4/11/09: Josh Benson, one of the stars of this year's MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, has proved to be hot property in the 2010 drivers' market, sealing a deal with the GV Racing team just weeks after the season finale.

The talented 18-year-old from West Yorkshire will remain with the outfit run by Jacob Greaves and Michael Vergers following a hugely successful 2009 campaign. Racing for the Peterborough-based team in the series' scholarship class this year, Benson notched up four wins, 12 podiums, two pole positions and two fastest laps en route to fifth place in the final classification.

With a full-season contract under his belt, Benson intends to emulate the new Formula 1 World Champion, Jenson Button, who won the MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain some 11 years ago. The teenager will embark on a gruelling winter training programme to prepare him for the stresses and strains of one of the country's most hotly-contested championships. He has pledged to improve his mental and physical fitness before testing resumes in February and to build on the inner confidence acquired during an exceptional 2009 season.

Benson, from Drighlington, near Bradford, said: “I strongly believe that we can be a dominant force on the grid in 2010 and I'm excited at the prospect of working with some new team-mates also. The standard and the quality of drivers in the championship this year has been exceptional and I feel proud to have been part of that. It has made me stronger as a driver and I have learnt so much from my rivals.”

Recalling his 2009 season, the teenager explained: “We had a budget coming into the year but, like many, we became victims of the credit crunch, forcing us to miss the start of the championship. I had to watch it on TV and could only dream of what could have been. Mid-season, I was lucky enough to secure a budget for the remainder of the championship and joined GV Racing. Our relationship developed rapidly and this gave me the confidence to embark on a steep learning curve. Although half a season behind most, I wasn't going to let this excuse my performance. Instead, it was a determining factor that allowed me to develop quickly.”

Jacob Greaves, joint team owner, GV Racing, said: "We're delighted to have signed Josh for the 2010 MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain. He joined us half-way through the 2009 season and settled in quickly. We're very much looking forward to a full season with Josh in 2010 and a full-on attack on the championship."

Fellow team owner Michael Vergers added: "Josh showed great determination in learning how to maximise his own performance and that of the car and proved that many times with class wins and great pace at the Formula Ford Festival. I look forward to his continued success throughout the 2010 season with GV Racing."

Businesses are being urged to get behind Benson, who is seeking new partners to join him for what promises to be an exciting season. The MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain provides exceptional value-for-money for sponsors, with a package of benefits that includes television coverage and an impressive hospitality suite. Benson is supported by a dedicated team that will work tirelessly to ensure a truly successful partnership.

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