Jasmine Shaw targets further progress at Knockhill

"We’re ready to fight for the results we deserve and hopefully we can do just that this

weekend at Knockhill" - Jasmine Shaw heads to the circuit at which she scored the largest haul of points last year, aiming to capitalize on the speed she showed at the previous rounds of the Fiesta Junior Championship in her first season in the MK7 class.

Photo by: William St James

Arriving at Knockhill eighth in the MK7 class standings of the Fiesta Junior Championship, Jasmine Shaw is targeting her best results of the season. Despite a challenging start to the season, expectations are high for Jasmine who arrives at the circuit at which she claimed her largest haul of points during the 2022 season. A similar result this time out would be a deserving reward for Shaw and 20Ten Racing who have shown great potential up to this point.

The 2023 season is Jasmine’s second competing in the highly competitive Fiesta Junior Championship. Regularly attracting grids of over 20 cars across the MK6 and MK7 class, it is one of the most cost-effective junior championships in Britain. After competing in a MK6 Ford Fiesta in 2022, Shaw has switched to the MK7 class for this season while remaining with experienced team 20Ten Racing. Each race weekend features two races, with a 14 race calendar in full support of the TCR UK Championship, providing a pathway for drivers to aim towards top level touring car racing.

Jasmine finished the 2022 season tenth in the overall championship standings, despite missing the second round of the championship at Croft. With only one retirement, Shaw’s consistency was impressive and coupled with a best result of fifth coming at Cadwell Park, she displayed impressive speed for a car racing rookie. In total, Jasmine scored nine top-10 finishes across the 2022 season and was looking to build upon this potential with a switch to the MK7 Fiesta.

Snetterton hosted the first round of the 2023 season, with the 300 layout providing the longest lap of the year. After qualifying 19th, sixth among the MK7 class drivers, Jasmine was able to make considerable progress in both races. Moving up to 16th in race one, Shaw collected a solid result to open the season and start her campaign positively. Her best result of the season to date came in race two which was interrupted by a red flag.

Missing out on the MK7 class podium by just half a second, Jasmine finished 12th overall and negotiated a chaotic opening weekend to sit tied for fourth in the MK7 class championship standings.

The second round of the Fiesta Junior Championship took place at Croft, a new circuit for Jasmine following her absence from the subsequent round in 2022. Shaw’s pace from the outset was encouraging, showing fantastic speed in testing before finishing opening practice sixth among the MK7 Fiestas, 14th overall and less than two seconds away from the fastest time. Contact in the opening stages of race one put pay to a good result, however Jasmine did a good job to finish on the lead lap and collect valuable championship points.

Race two was equally as dramatic as Snetterton and Shaw looked to take advantage of that, running as high as sixth overall in the opening stages from 13th on the grid, before contact from another driver meant a first retirement of the season. Nonetheless, Croft showed that Jasmine had the speed to contest for MK7 class podiums and with better fortune, looked set for a pair of top-10 results.

Photo by: William St James

Aiming for a change of fortune at Oulton Park, Jasmine was hoping to carry forward the speed she showed at Croft to the third round of the championship. It was a challenging weekend for Shaw who was unfortunate not to capitalise on a respectable 14th in opening practice, failing to finish the opening race. Multiple red flags in race two brought a three-lap shootout to decide the results with Jasmine doing well to move up from 20th on the initial grid to finish 13th overall, fourth among the MK7 class drivers.

Jasmine’s potential has not been fully unlocked this season, however Knockhill will serve as the perfect circuit to kickstart her campaign. She will be aiming to race inside the top-10 and compete for top honours among the MK7 class of Ford Fiestas.

"With it being my rookie year in racing in the MK7 Ford Fiesta championship, we’ve already come away with multiple top 5 finishes just three rounds into the championship", Jasmine said. "We know from the data we have the pace to fight for the top step of the podium and as a driver I am always learning and developing as the championship unfolds."

"Although I am racing against others with sometimes a whole decade more in experience, I’ve proved that I have what it takes", she continued. "Despite luck not being on our side so far, we’re ready to fight for the results we deserve and hopefully we can do just that this

weekend at Knockhill!"

With over half the season still remaining, Shaw should remain hopeful that her fortunes will turn around and a season’s best finish this weekend will be her first objective. Both of Jasmine’s race this weekend will be live streamed on the BRSCC YouTube page, with action guaranteed among a large grid of hungry young drivers.