January 07, 2014

 

Supercup newcomers Measuric Racing announce their driver line-up for the upcoming season, following their promotion from Formula Challenge.

Following on from a competitive 2013 Formula Challenge campaign, Mike Schroten's squad have entrusted their brand new Supercup machines to Finn Ari Niemien and Englishman Mike Bell for the upcoming season, a move he hopes will bring continued success in the middle tier of GPVWC open wheel racing. Speaking at the team's HQ in Bennekom, Netherlands, Mike had this to say;

"It is great to see Measuric Racing going to the GPVWC Supercup. We have had some ups and downs during our last season, with both podiums and perhaps too many retirements. Mike Bell is improving rapidly since last season, especially in GT cars, and I think he can improve even further with us in his first full open wheel season. His strategies are phenomenal and he can do amazing things with his tyres. This, combined with his defending skills has already led to some great results. Ari Niemien already proved himself in the Formula Challenge having seen first-hand his pace during 2013 and we are flattered that he wants to take the next step with us, we will help him as well as we possibly can. With the line-up we have secured for 2014, I look forward to our debut season in Supercup and hope we can continue to move towards the sharp end of the grid."

Ari Niemien has made the graduation to Supercup off the back of two highly competitive seasons in Formula Challenge, scoring a win in his second year and finishing in the top five of the driver standings in each season. Regardless of his results in the lower Formula, Ari remains realistic with his goals for his first season in the faster machinery;

"After two seasons in Formula Challenge it is time for a new challenge, that being Supercup. After being contacted by Mike Schroten, it didn't take me long to sign up with Measuric Racing. I've learned that my team mate will be Mike Bell, well known for driving the widest racing car around, so that could be interesting. I hope to work with him for the benefit of the team. As for my goals, it's hard to say. With so many fast guys joining up, I guess even top 10 finishes would be something to be happy with."

Mike Bell contested a handful of Supercup events last year and hopes he can put this experience to good use when he makes his full time debut in the series, saying;

"After a successful few rounds towards the end of 2013, I am looking forward to putting together a full season in 2014 with Measuric. I know that last season I had decent tyre management, but was missing some speed which I believe I am starting to find in the off-season. This season's grid is starting to look very stacked, so I'm going to need to beat the competition in terms of strategy, because I know it will be unlikely to live with them on pure speed. I am looking forward to teaming with Ari for this season, he was a front runner in the Formula Challenge series last season, so no doubt he has the pace to compete, maybe we can learn from each other and make a formidable team, who knows!"