Character building weekend for Daniella Sutton at Brands Hatch

BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship scholarship winner Daniella Sutton experienced a challenging weekend at Brands Hatch, as she battled a number of technical issues across the meeting. Despite the team's meticulous work, she was forced to retire from race 1 - and then withdrew from the remainder of the event. Daniella will be aiming for a turn of fortunes for the next round at Snetterton.

Photo credits: James Roberts

Daniella Sutton experienced a challenging weekend in the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship at Brands Hatch. The Pro Alloys Racing driver battled a number of technical issues across the meeting, with the team working meticulously to diagnose and fix the problems. Sutton was able to take part in qualifying, where she set the 20th fastest time despite being down on power.

Daniella then made an excellent start to race one, however was forced to retire mid-way through the contest, before further technical gremlins prevented her from taking any further part in the race weekend.

Daniella made her circuit racing debut at Silverstone in March, with the non-championship round of the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship providing important track time ahead of the main campaign. Changeable conditions throughout the weekend gave Sutton a chance to gain familiarity with the car, while racing hard with her rivals. Achieving a best result of ninth, Daniella arrived at Brands Hatch aiming to compete well against her fellow rookie drivers.

Prior to the race weekend, Sutton was able to take part in testing and aimed to work with her driver coaches in order to find the ultimate pace. Technical issues began to develop during the day, with Daniella’s team, Pro Alloys Racing, working to rectify the problems. As a result, the gearbox was changed overnight with Sutton looking ahead to qualifying.

An expanded field of 22 drivers took to the track for qualifying on Saturday morning, with good conditions for all the young racers. It was a clean session without any red flag interruptions which was beneficial for Daniella as she was able to build up her speed. Despite being down on power, Sutton ended the session 20th fastest and therefore good potential remained to move forward in the three races which were to follow on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Lining up from 20th on the grid in race one, Sutton made an excellent start which saw her negotiate the stalled car of Archie Davies, while gaining five overall positions. Prior to the conclusion of lap one, the safety car was deployed with Daniella up inside the top-15. At this point, Sutton was still managing a technical issue but used her racecraft to good effect in order to move forward.

When the racing resumed, Sutton’s defensive skills were tested as she attempted to fight off the challenge posed by Alfie Garford. On lap three, her rival found a way past and this was followed by a move from Harry Lindley a lap later. Daniella was then able to settle into 17th position and set a series of personal best times, before a technical issue with the car forced her to pull to the side of the track and retire on lap eight.

Following the race one retirement, the team decided to change the engine in preparation for two further races to come on Sunday. Sutton was looking ahead to a day of progress, however a further technical issue prior to Sunday’s first race led Daniella’s withdrawal from the remainder of the event.

Despite the disappointing end to the weekend, Sutton and the team had worked hard to achieve the best outcome possible from a challenging set of circumstances. The BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship scholarship winner will be aiming for a turn of fortunes when the young drivers head to Snetterton for the next round of the championship which takes place on the weekend of 18th/19th May.

Photo credits: James Roberts