Team

Roger Estrada (Managing Director)- B.eng (Hons), MBA

More than 15 years at the top level of motorsport. Roger moved from Spain in 2000 to become the Chief Engineer at Mitsubishi Ralliart in the World Rally Championship and worked with drivers like Tommi Makinen, Francois Delecour, Gilles Panizzi, Mika Hakinen… In 2009 Roger gained an MBA at the world leader London Business School. Since then Roger’s business approach, coupled with his vast experience at top level of the motor racing industry, drive to perfection, attention to detail and customer focus has give him an edge as a manager to recruit best in class team and to produce winning engineering solutions.

In 2010 Roger made the strategic decision of diversifying into defense and automotive using the experienced gained in the World of Motorsport.

Cristina Lopez (Director-Company secretary)

Having qualified as a BA in education, Cristina’ organizational and human resources skills are a huge asset to the business. Cristina joined R53 at the start, in 2008, and previously she had been teaching in several private and estate schools in the UK. Her passion perfection gives R53 another dimension.

Chris Price (General Manager)

Chris began as a qualified vehicle technician after serving an apprenticeship with the main Ford Dealer in Marlow. His Motorsport career started in 1990 with Mitsubishi Ralliart WRC, from Sub assembly, body shell preparation to car build, Chris then spent time in the Transmission department and soon progressed to Senior Technician looking after all transmission activities on events. 1995 – 1996 saw a change of direction for Chris where he took up position of number 1 mechanic for Tommi Makinen followed by 1997 – 1998 with Richard Burns. With a brief spell back in the Transmission department, looking after all R & D and testing activities, Chris then took up position of Damper (shock absorber) department Manager. With 3 technicians and 1 apprentice Chris headed up a very busy department looking after R & D and testing using a Servotest Hydraulic damper dyno, event build and specification, BOM’s and Budgets. In 2005 Chris moved to Honda F1 into Hydraulics. 2008 saw Honda pull out and spawn into Brawn GP, where Chris headed up the Ride department, which looked after all the hydraulic and inertia dampers along with FRIC and mechanical balance systems. After 2 more years under Mercedes F1 Chris left to join R53 engineering in 2011. Chris brings with him a vast experience and knowledge of systems, processes and technologies along with a focus for quality.

Josep Ferrer (R&D engineer)

Having qualified with a degree in Mechanical engineering, Josep then did a Master of Science Advanced Automotive Engineering for Competition at the Le Mans university ISMANS.

2004 – 2008 Josep went to work for TOT Curses Rally raid team, working both as a mechanic and engineer designing cars and motorbikes for the FIA World Cup Cross Country Rallies culminating as winners in 2005 and 2006 as the official Nissan motorsport Spanish team. 2009 saw a move to Barazi / Epsilon Sport as a Data engineer for F3 UK, Formula Renault 2.0 EuroCup, and Zytek LMP2 in Lemans 24hr. 2010 Josep went to AD Tramontana as Engineering Director, in charge of the current car production and design and development of current and new models. During his time the main focus was to maximize the performance and reliability whilst redesigning and developing several systems and the integration of the V12 Mercedes engine, paddle shift systems and suspension to say a few.

Josep’s complete understanding of motorsport vehicle layouts, mechanical and electronic systems combined with his design abilities has made him an invaluable member of the R53 team.

Jack Griffiths (Technician)

Jack joined R53 in August 2016 recently graduated from WMG academy. Jack is a very successful Go-Karter and motorsport is on his DNA. Jack brings with him a sense of youthful maturity and has a well-organized flexible and professional approach to his work to ensure high quality standards on the service of our products.