While Maggie Webster’s results did not reflect her speed at Brands Hatch, the racing rookie displayed excellent speed in race two especially and showed that she can compete at the top of the MK6 class in one of Britain’s most competitive junior racing championships.
Maggie Webster experienced a challenging weekend in the opening round of the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship at Brands Hatch. Webster displayed excellent speed in race two especially, however a combination of contact and technical issues prevented her from claiming a podium finish. A best result of 17th overall, fourth in class, came in race one where Webster was fighting ABS issues, before the young driver challenged for positions inside the top-15 during Sunday’s two races.
Webster’s 2024 season began at Silverstone where she competed in the non-championship round of the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship. It was a weekend of learning for Maggie, who displayed encouraging speed in a competitive field of drivers. Securing a MK6 class victory along with two overall top-10 results, it was an excellent debut for the former Autograss racer who was targeting further success in the first points-scoring event of the year.
Qualifying ahead of the three races took place on Saturday morning with bright and dry conditions. The session ran smoothly which enabled Webster to complete a number of consistent lap times and place 18th overall, third among the MK6 competitors. Maggie’s potential was clear and she was looking ahead to three action-packed races where she aimed to move forward.
Race one began on Saturday afternoon with Webster starting from 18th position. It was a clean start for the young racer who maintained her position at the conclusion of lap one, with the safety car deployed for a stalled car. Following good work from the marshals, the racing got back underway at the beginning of lap three with Maggie doing her best to hold off fellow MK6 competitor Michael Wheeler while fighting issues with the ABS system.
A good spell of defensive driving enabled Webster to develop her racecraft, with Wheeler making the move on lap six. Her attention then drew to fending off the MK7 machine of Hayden Gray, with Gray passing Maggie on lap eight, while Webster remained in 19th following the retirement of Daniella Sutton.
On lap nine, an incident between George Foxlow and Joshua Watts allowed Webster to gain two positions. The race then finished under the safety car with her rivals stuck in the gravel trap at Druids, with Maggie taking the checkered flag in 17th position. Missing out on a MK6 podium place by just one spot, climbing onto the rostrum would be Webster’s target for the remainder of the weekend.
Putting the challenges of Saturday behind her, Webster lined up 17th for race two of the weekend. It was a shortened contest of just ten minutes following earlier delays in the schedule. Nonetheless, Maggie made an excellent start and gained three overall positions, while moving into a podium spot in the MK6 class. Webster was showing much improved pace and was quickly closing in on a top-10 position.
However, misfortune struck as contact on lap five saw her pick up a front-right puncture which sent her into the Druids gravel trap and into retirement. It was an unfortunate end to a promising race, with Maggie showing great potential for her first time racing at Brands Hatch.
Lining up 20th on the grid for race three, Webster was aiming to combine her and speed and racecraft in order to finish the weekend on a high. It was an excellent start for the rookie driver who gained two positions on lap one, while moving into a MK6 class podium spot. Following the retirement of class rival Callie Clifford, Maggie was up to second while also cracking the top-15 after an overtake on Benjamin Doughty.
Webster’s progress was then halted by a technical issue which forced her into the pits on lap five, sadly putting pay to a strong result. Nonetheless, a good job from the team saw her rejoin the race for the final five minutes, setting lap times which were comparable to those inside the top-10. Taking the checkered flag in 20th position, Maggie was sadly not classified despite finishing as the third highest MK6 running driver.
Maggie’s results did not reflect her speed at Brands Hatch, with the racing rookie overcoming a series of issues throughout the weekend. In race two especially, Webster was able to display her speed and show that she can compete alongside the midfield runners in one of Britain’s most competitive junior racing championships.
She will be aiming bounce back at Snetterton which plays host to the second round of the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship on the weekend of 18th/19th May.