British touring car man Jackson gets late Ginetta G57 outing Sky Sports Formula One presenter Brookes makes Radical SR1 Cup debut at Oulton Park

Sky Sports Formula 1 presenter Rachel Brookes made her racing debut in the Radical SR1 Cup at Oulton Park last Saturday.

Brookes, whose brother Matt won the 2014 SR1 championship, finished 12th and 14th in the double header, losing a place at the end of the final lap in both races to a spin and a misfire respectively.

“I didn’t want to pootle around at the back and watch everyone lap me, which didn’t happen, and I overtook people so I absolutely loved it,” said Brookes, who was Amdtuning.com Audi S3 in the BTCC, qualified on pole but failed to finish after an oil pump pulley failed during the race.

“The car has nearly double the power of my BTCC car [580bhp], on the warm-up lap the G57 is the same as full speed in the Audi, it also has masses more grip and carries so much speed through the corners,” said Jackson.

“I’d never driven the car before a track day on Friday, but we had rain and noise issues so I only had about 20 minutes in it. In truth this track [Donington National] is too short for the car, it’s barely stretching its legs. But it’s an awesome bit of kit and I’d love another go.”