British Open Kart Championship Won By Jessica Hawkins

Impressive karting sensation Jessica Hawkins is celebrating this week after adding another prestigious title to her ever-expanding trophy cabinet, the Zip Young Guns Allstar emerging victorious in Sunday’s ABkC Cadet ‘O’ Plate event at Buckmore Park.Hampshire based Jessica, who beat over 40 competitors in the televised race at the Kent venue, made good progress in the three Heats which led up to the Final and then, from seventh on the grid, she secured the victory on the last lap when passing Connor Jupp and Robert Holland in one move around the outside at the final corner!The 13-year-old racer, who is currently fourth overall in the ABkC Dunlop Honda Cadet National Championship, has enjoyed a lot of success at Buckmore Park during her short karting career. Having won the Buckmore Park Honda Cadet title last year, she’s now ecstatic to have become 2008 British Cadet Open Champion.“It’s absolutely fantastic to have won the ‘O’ Plate” said Jessica after the event, “It’s a really big race and to beat more than 40 drivers is great. On the last lap I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to do it as I was in third place with just two corners left. But I never give up and when the two karts ahead banged wheels, I went around the outside and won!”Powered by a Panther engine, Jessica is using a works Zip Kart chassis this year having been officially confirmed as part of Martin Hines’ renowned Zip Young Guns Allstar line-up back in March.The Zip Young Guns brand is, of course, synonymous with karting success with current Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard just two of the big names to have run under Hines’ guidance in the past.Eyeing a graduation to the B4/Renault MSA Formula KF3 British Kart Championship in 2009, Jessica has already experienced KF3 grip and power during a test run a few weeks ago in which she was seriously fast and impressive.Next on the racing calendar for Jessica is the penultimate round of the ABkC Dunlop Honda Cadet National Championship at Clay Pigeon, near Dorchester, in Dorset this coming weekend, 27th/28th September. Currently fourth in the standings, Jessica will be aiming for success once more as she strives to go one better than her 2007 Honda Cadet Vice-Champion’s position. The 2008 championship finale, meanwhile, will take place on 11th/12th October at Buckmore Park.Jessica’s last major event of the year will be the Motors TV London Cup event which will be filmed for digital satellite and cable television on 25th/26th October at the Rye House kart track in Hertfordshire.