Callie Clifford returns to the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship podium at Croft

JamSport Racing scholarship winner Callie Clifford once again showed excellent speed in her rookie season in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship, achieving a best result of seventh overall in race two while finishing as the MK6 class runner-up on two occasions at Croft.

Photo credits: James Roberts Photography

JamSport Racing scholarship winner Callie Clifford returned to the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship MK6 class podium with a strong weekend at Croft. The young racers faced treacherous conditions throughout the event with Clifford’s best result coming in race two as she finished seventh overall. Scoring two overall top-10 finishes across the weekend, Callie maintained second position within the MK6 class championship standings as the drivers now take a short summer break.

Looking to bounce back from a challenging meeting last time out at Oulton Park, Croft would provide the perfect opportunity for Clifford to return to form. Despite failing to finish either race at the previous round, Callie still sits within the overall top-10 of the championship when dropped scores are taken into account. The JamSport Racing scholarship winner showed excellent speed in the opening two rounds of the season and was close to securing her maiden top-5 overall result, while consistently battling with more experienced drivers.

Qualifying was the first competitive session of the weekend and took place on Saturday morning with damp track conditions. It was a challenging session which featured a red flag in the early stages and reduced the amount of time the drivers had to set a fast lap time. Clifford made good progress in the latter stages of qualifying as she built up her confidence in the car, ending the session tenth overall, second in the MK6 class with an impressive final lap.

Clifford lined up from tenth position for race one, with conditions still greasy and challenging for the young racers. Callie made an excellent start and immediately gained positions off the line which saw her end the opening lap in eighth position overall, while maintaining second in the MK6 class. The safety car was then deployed to retrieve the stricken car of Daniella Sutton, with the race restarting on lap three.

The JamSport Racing driver was then involved in a close battle with both Jenson Mason and Archie Davies, two drivers which started from opposite ends of the field. Contact was made between Clifford and her rivals into the final corners and this saw her drop to 11th at the end of lap three. Finding her rhythm once again, Callie recomposed and moved ahead of Joshua Watts on lap four to move back inside the top-10 overall.

Clifford was showing improve pace during the second half of the race, before a red flag was brought out for an incident involved George Foxlow and Jack Sant which saw the race ended prematurely. Nonetheless, Clifford finished a strong tenth overall and second in the MK6 class.

Grid positions for race two were based on the results from race one and this allowed Callie to line up in the overall top-10. Grip was at a premium once again as wet conditions prevailed at Croft. Clifford lost a number of positions on the initial start, however she fought back well during the remainder of the first lap to maintain her tenth position.

On lap two, the JamSport driver set the overall best middle sector to underline her pace in the tricky conditions. Although losing out to Jenson Mason on lap three, she overtook Henry Foote on lap four while Jacob Hodgkiss retired from the race with damage.

The safety car was deployed as a result of Hodgkiss’ incident with Clifford now up to ninth position overall, second in the MK6 class. Two laps remained when the race restarted and Callie was keen to make up further positions. She was able to move ahead of Thomas Merritt and this saw Clifford take the checkered flag in eighth position overall, later promoted to seventh, sixth in the MK6 class while setting her quickest time on the final lap of the race.

Callie lined up seventh on the grid for the final race of the weekend with the grid positions based on race two results. Further rain had fallen since race two and with track conditions treacherous, the race got underway behind the safety car. Clifford made a positive start to the race and although dropping behind Henry Foote, he was the fastest driver in the opening stages.

On lap five, Clifford had a spin at the final turn and this dropped her to 19th overall, third in the MK6 class. She rejoined the track safely and quickly got back up to speed as she aimed to regain lost positions in the closing stages. Her lap times were competitive until an incident at Sunny Out on the final lap of the race saw Clifford make contact with the barriers and therefore she failed to finish the race.

Clifford once again showed excellent speed in her rookie season in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship. Despite tricky conditions throughout the weekend, Callie achieved a best result of seventh in race two, while finishing as the MK6 class runner-up on two occasions.

She will be aiming to add to her top-10 tally when the young racers return to action on the Silverstone National circuit on the weekend of August 17th/18th.