Jessica Hawkins, one of the rising female stars of UK motorsport,
is battling the clock to try and secure the required budget to make her car racing debut in the upcoming Michelin Clio Cup Road Series ‘Autumn Cup’ at Rockingham on 16th/17th November.
With just 10 days remaining to raise the required funds ahead of the championship entry deadline next week, the highly talented – yet perennially underfunded – racer from Farnham in Hampshire is searching all avenues to try and make her desired progression from karting to cars.
Following an impressive debut test in a Monster Sport Europe-prepared Clio Renaultsport 197 at Silverstone Stowe Circuit last week, an opportunity she earned through a contest run in conjunction with the BWRDC (British Women Racing Drivers Club), the 18-year-old MSA Academy racer feels more than ready for the transition.
“I’m so desperate to move up from karts to cars”, said Jessica, “The test at Silverstone really was fantastic, I had a great time and I was happy with the pace I was able to show. The Clio felt great to drive, it was a lot of fun and I’m really grateful to Renault, Michelin and the BWRDC for giving me such a great opportunity.
“I’ve been offered a fantastic deal to make my debut at Rockingham in the Autumn Cup but we need to raise the funds for it to happen. It’s a great chance for sponsors to get to know me and see the benefits of being involved with motor racing, hopefully we can raise the money we need in the next 10 days – it’s a proper race against time.”
Throughout her successful karting career, both at home and abroad, Jessica has had to fight as hard off track as on track to secure the finances to keep moving up the motorsport ladder – something she has managed to achieve against the odds.
After winning the Buckmore Park Club Honda Cadet Championship in 2007, and also ending the year as runner-up in the Super 1 Honda Cadet Championship, she attained greater heights the following season by winning the prestigious ABkC ‘O’ Plate in Honda Cadet and was selected as an ambassador for the launch of the MSA (Motor Sports Association) ‘Let’s Go Karting’ initiative.
While budget restrictions curtailed a planned full season in the 2009 MSA Super 1 British KF3 Karting Championship, Jessica was back in action the following year and continued to impress. In 2011, she finished runner-up in the MSA Kartmasters British Grand Prix and claimed victory on her debut in the Belgian BNL Karting Series. In 2012, she again starred in the Kartmasters GP – finishing third in KF3.
So, the clock is now ticking and Jessica has less than a fortnight to try and secure the funds to make a deserved graduation into car racing. Anyone feeling they may be able to assist the young starlet’s progression into the Michelin Clio Cup Road Series should contact Jessica by email to kartgirl@hotmail.co.uk
