Bold new concept for British motorsport aims not only to promote young driving talent but also to help injured soldiers through Help for Heroes
Nineteen-year-old novice Jessica Hawkins to tackle MSA Formula for #RacingforHeroes
Promising 19-year-old driver Jessica Hawkins is today confirmed as one of the stars of the new #RacingforHeroes squad set to raise awareness and funds for Help for Heroes via motorsport next season. Jessica is set to be the #RacingforHeroes representative on the grid of the new MSA Formula Championship, and says she is thrilled to be not only furthering her track career but also to be involved in such a worthy cause.
Said Jess: “It’s such a great opportunity – to do what I love, and for such a fantastic cause. When I was asked if I’d like to help I said immediately that it would be more than amazing.”
Hampshire-based Hawkins is one of five #RacingforHeroes drivers who are being launched into every championship on the British Touring Car Championship schedule for 2015. The team says: “#RacingforHeroes has handpicked five young and talented British drivers, all of whom are taking a step forward in their careers and debuting in a new championship. All drivers are fully committed to competing next year to make a difference to the recovery of our wounded veterans.”
#RfH team manager and Stirling Motorsport boss Peter Thorpe added: “We as a group are so proud to launch such an exciting team into British motor sport, in support of Help for Heroes. It’s a unique idea, forging relationships between drivers and sponsors, offering our partners what is the biggest PR and marketing platform in British motorsport.”
Bryn Parry, CEO and co-founder of Help for Heroes, said: “When Stirling Motorsport approached us with the exciting idea for #RacingforHeroes, we knew immediately they shared our passion and ‘can-do’ attitude. The team is committed to fundraising and providing opportunities for our wounded through motorsport. We wish them every success and hope British racing fans will get behind the team.”
Jessica had her first glimpse of the new Ford EcoBoost-powered, FIA-approved chassis for MSA Formula when it was unveiled at Silverstone in September. “It looked amazing, and with a full grid of cars the racing is going to be so close and competitive. I’m really still a novice and I have a lot to learn, but my aim is to win and I’ll be trying my best. If you are not going to try to win then you’re not really a racing driver. I want to do the best I can not just for myself but to raise awareness for Help for Heroes.”
She was hugely impressed by a recent visit to Help for Heroes’ Tedworth House recovery centre, not far from her Bordon home: “The work that they do there with injured soldiers has to be seen to be believed; the opportunities being offered there are just incredible and so well worth supporting.”
Hawkins made her car-racing debut in the Clio Cup only a year ago, and enjoyed her first taste of single-seaters in September when she raced an MBM Motorsport Formula Ford at Silverstone, claiming a hat-trick of top-11 finishes. She first started competing in karts at the age of 12, claiming the Buckmore Park Honda Cadet championship title on her debut.
Welcoming ‘RacingforHeroes to MSA Formula, championship manager Sam Roach said: “The newly introduced MSA Formula is proud to be involved with the #RacingforHeroes programme for 2015. With a full grid of world-class young drivers battling for an FIA trophy under the new FIA Formula 4 concept, the inaugural season is sure to be highly competitive and reward excellence among teams and drivers alike. In other words, the perfect fit for the #RacingforHeroes philosophy.”
The opening rounds of MSA Formula – Certified by FIA, Powered by Ford EcoBoost are scheduled for Brands Hatch over the weekend of 4/5 April.
