British F1: Biggs and Schmitz join Santander Salt line-up for 2021
Following the announcement that newly crowned Champions Steve Kershaw and Ryan Charlwood are making their own plans for 2021, comes the exciting news that the Anglo-Dutch pairing of Rob Biggs and Jeroen Schmitz will join the Santander Salt team for the new season.
Often front runners and always consistent, whilst immaculate in their presentation and attitude, the duo caught the eye of Roger Body, for whom professionalism and appearance is a major part of being a complete racer.
2016 saw Rob finish a strong fifth in the title chase with podiums at Knockhill and Brands Hatch with Ben Ransley alongside. Rob and Jeroen have been knocking on the door in subsequent seasons, and with the renewed backing of regular sponsor Ian Hamilton (Express Tyre Service) allied to the Santander Salt connection, chance of even greater success beckons.
The Biggs family is another of those dynasties involving several family members and spanning generations. Its name is also recorded in the annals of sidecar racing folklore, with brother Jamie partnering Steve Abbot to the 2002 FIM Sidecar World Championship.
Rob for his part, has had his share of physical woes, with a slipped disc causing him untold pain and discomfort a couple of seasons ago. With that now apparently sorted, the pair can look forward to a full season in which they plan to contest the British Championship as a priority, whilst taking in a couple of FIM World rounds.
Rob is very upbeat about the season ahead. “Jeroen and I are delighted with this new venture. The Santander Salt awning is the centre of the paddock, and the team has a strong record to live up to. We thank Ian Hamilton for his loyal support, and Roger Body for this opportunity. The rest is now up to us, and we intend to take this chance with both hands”.
For his part, Roger Body had this to say. “I have been watching Rob for a while and believe he will be a great asset to our team. He ticks all the boxes in terms of professionalism, and their riding ability is not in doubt. He has big shoes to fill, but we are one big family with lots of positive attitude. I really welcome them on board”.