...Tom Roche!
With all 20 rounds completed of the 2009 Ma5da MX5 Championship, Tom Roche emerged clear Champion by 24 points at the final rounds at Brands Hatch.
9x wins, 9x 2nd's, 1x 3rd out of 20 races Tom's dominating consistency proved to be just out of reach of Jonathan Greensmith (2nd) and Robert Boston (3rd). On the few rare occasions were Tom was not on the front row of the grid he quickly drove his was to the front. Perhaps a sign of things to come during the 2009 season was demonstrated in the inaugural Championship event at Silverstone back in March 2009. After a second corner exit from the circuit, Tom dropped down to 18th place. In wet conditions he drove a true Champions come back to finish 2nd at the chequered flag!
A total of 12 pole positions and 7 fastest lap times in the 20 race Championship with a registration of over 60 cars and an average grid of 32, make for an impressive addition to the young Welsh man's CV. For those that don't know Tom he is a quiet well spoken young man, who always appears a little surprised when interviewed by the TV Camera's, but put a helmet on him and fasten him into the driving seat and the true Tom emerges, fast and furious but rarely out of control and always near the front fighting for the lead!
Tom started racing an MX5 back in 2007 as a rookie, fresh from a successful number of years in Karting. His first race was at Donington Park and although not on the podium, he quickly proved that he was one to watch, although it may have been as he miss calculated the stopping distance once or twice, it was all that extra weight over a kart! Learning the circuits through the remainder of the 2007 season and gaining confidence and car control, Tom realised his first series of race wins in 2008. The young man from Wales had arrived!
Those that have raced in and around Tom, have never had a bad word to say about his manor on and off track, "he may be quick and aggressive, but always fair", is a comment often heard. One person who has always been in the back ground, but is a driving force in Team Roche, is Tom's farther John, a quiet modest gentleman, whose mild temper and hard work has made sure that Tom has a car capable of matching his Driving ability. The final two influences on Tom's racing are from the ladies in his life... Ceriis, tom's partner and yes his mum, both avid supporters providing positive support, although often found trembling with nerves as they watch from the side of the track. If you would like to gain from Tom's racing experience, why not contact him for some Driver Tuition?
(see Web Link Below or tel M:07841 457 325)
Link - www.tomrocheracing.com
Congratulations Tom on your exceptional race results
and on winning the 2009 Ma5da MX5 Championship
Final 2009 Championship Points (Link - Full Results)
| 1 | Tom Roche | (2) | 1903 |
| 2 | Jonathan Greensmith | (1) | 1879 |
| 3 | Robert Boston | (33) | 1857 |
| 4 | Paul Sheard | (18) | 1752 |
| 5 | Alyn Robson | (6) | 1668 |
| 6 | Charles Plumley | (32) | 1648 |
Link - Full Championship Results