Jess Hatches her big return
MICHELIN Clio Cup Road Series podium finisher Jessica Hawkins will make a welcome return to the championship for the fourth event of the season at Brands Hatch later this month – the 19year-old’s first outing since her car racing debut in the category at Rockingham last November.
Renewing her successful partnership with SWB Motorsport, the squad which carried the young starlet to a fantastic second place finish – as well as the fastest lap – in the Autumn Cup eight months ago, Hawkins is absolutely thrilled to be making her return to action on July 26-27.
Having been forced to sit on the sidelines for the first half of 2014 due to budget restrictions, the Farnham driver has managed to secure the funds to join the Road Series grid for rounds seven and eight and she is setting her sights high when she gets back behind the wheel of SWB’s race-converted Clio Renaultsport 197.
“It’s been a long time since I was in the car, and I’ve not had any racing in between, but I’m so up for Brands – I can’t wait to get there”, she said.
“I’m really looking forward to being back with SWB, everyone at the team is fantastic and Simon [Baldry – team principal] was awesome at Rockingham last year and made me feel so welcome. It’s going to be great continuing that relationship.
“As I’ve been out of the car for so long, Brands will be the same as Rockingham was really but we came away from there with a second place and the fastest lap. If I can go one better than that I’ll be very happy, I want to do the best I can and I’ll definitely be pushing hard.”
While bolstering the overall grid at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, Hawkins also doubles the female participation in the Michelin Clio Cup Road Series by joining 2014 championship regular, and fellow class podium finisher, Sarah Franklin.
Hawkins added: “It’s great to be back in the Michelin Clio Cup Road Series, it’s a brilliant step out of karting and gives you really good tuition all-round in what you need to learn.
“Trying to make a career in saloons is more achievable than single-seaters, so if we can find the budget to keep racing in the Road Series the aim would be to then progress into the Race Series next year.”