Jess Hawkins will make her début in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton later this month, as she becomes the second woman to race the team’s Vauxhall Astra in the current season.
Following on from the team giving Jade Edwards her BTCC début at Silverstone, PMR will now give Hawkins a chance to impress when the BTCC heads to Norfolk on 24 – 25 October.
The 25-year-old recently tested one of the team’s Vauxhall Astra cars in September, where she impressed Team Principal Adam Weaver.
Hawkins was a title winner in karting, including winning the 2008 Honda Cadet British Open Championship.
Switching to circuit racing in 2014, she scored a podium finish in the Michelin Clio Cup. She raced in the Mini Challenge in 2017, narrowly missing out on the overall title after claiming five wins and 13 podiums, as well as three pole positions.
Last year she took part in the inaugural W Series, a series exclusively for female competitors. In her first year in single seaters since 2015, she ended the year with two top ten finishes on her way to 11th overall in the drivers’ standings.
Hawkins had planned to continue in the W Series in 2020, until the global coronavirus pandemic put her plans on hold.
Despite her recent outings in single seaters, Hawkins insists that the BTCC is where she has always wanted to compete.
“BTCC is where I’ve always wanted to be – it’s my dream,” said Hawkins, who has also worked as a stunt driver, including in the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die. “I’ve managed to knock on the door a few times, but I genuinely can’t believe it’s actually happening, especially with such a great team behind me in PMR.
“I have to give a massive thanks to FastR, Motorsport Legal, Clapham North MOT, Elliot Brown Watches and the Motorsport Collective for supporting me and giving me the support needed for this incredible opportunity.
“I hope it’s the first of many appearances on the grid for me!”
Team Principal Weaver is expecting Hawkins abilities to shine in the upcoming penultimate round of the BTCC season.
“I’m really excited about seeing what Jess can do in the Astra,” said Weaver. “She impressed us at her initial test session a few weeks ago, and judging by her results in front wheel drive machinery, should be a strong contender once she hits the Norfolk tarmac in a couple of weeks.
“Not only does she show phenomenal car control, as evidenced by her on-screen stunt credentials, but she’s a great person to work with, and shows tremendous commercial acumen.”