Jack Hawksworth has confessed that it is ‘a huge honour’ to have been awarded a coveted Rising Star accolade by the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) – as the talented young Bradford speed demon joins an organisation that includes members of the calibre of F1 World Champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill.
Off the back of a glittering national and international karting career, Jack graduated into single-seaters in 2011 in the fiercely-contested Formula Renault UK Championship. Despite the strength of the competition and the fact that he was a newcomer to all of the circuits, the highly-rated Cullingworth-based hotshot impressed by storming to his breakthrough victory in inclement conditions at Croft and annexing three further podiums along the way, in addition to a pole position and trio of fastest laps.
That combination of performances and results earned the 20-year-old an excellent fourth spot in the end-of-season standings – and he similarly stood out with scintillating raw pace and a front-running effort during an appearance in the Formula Renault Northern European Cup around F1’s legendary temple of speed, Italian Grand Prix venue Monza. Such superb form was not lost on the BRDC.
Aside from now carrying the kudos of the club’s illustrious badge – worn with pride by some of the country’s most eminent sporting heroes – Jack will benefit from the hospitality of the plush BRDC clubhouse at Silverstone on race weekends, assuring him of what he describes as the ‘best seats in the house’ for the British Grand Prix and other major events at the famous Northants track.
“To be selected by the most prestigious motor racing club in the UK with so many great drivers as members is a huge honour,” enthused the TORGOEN Swiss brand ambassador. “I’m so happy to be one of the lucky few chosen to be a BRDC Rising Star. Only a certain number of drivers are appointed each year, so it’s a real recognition to be one of those that the BRDC deems the most promising. To be noticed by them is brilliant.”
In its esteemed role as the ‘Guardian of British Motorsport’, the BRDC has been committed since its foundation to fostering the interests of British and Commonwealth drivers and bolstering their chances of achievement in the sport – and even just the briefest of glances at its roster of alumni demonstrates that its talent-spotting credentials are second-to-none.
The Rising Stars are scouted trackside, and with eight national champions from its ranks last year alone and the inspiration of Hamilton himself as one of the scheme’s greatest success stories, it is clear that all concerned believe Jack has the qualities and the credentials to go a long way.
“We’ve been very impressed with Jack’s performances this season in the Formula Renault UK Championship and are confident he has the potential to be a very successful racing driver in the future,” affirmed club secretary Stuart Pringle. “We believe that by making Jack a Rising Star, we can help that process and we look forward to welcoming him as a full BRDC member in due course.”
