Claire
Tippet

Claire Tippet is aged 24, is the daughter of former tin-top star Charles Tippet and started racing herself in September 2003.

Claire qualified with a Degree in Equine Science from Hartbury College, part of the University of the West of England, but horse-power has ultimately triumphed in her life over the animals themselves and she spent two years on a training scheme run by the Cotswold Motor Group plc learning all about the day-to-day running of a busy BMW Dealership until she moved on within the industry.

Claire first raced at Brands Hatch in the BRSCC Road Saloon Championship last year in a Mark I VW Golf. Between August 2002 and February 2003, she had participated in Tim Sugden's "Be a Racing Driver" Scholarship Scheme.

In 2004 and 2005 Claire has been competing successfully in the VW Cup - the first female driver so to do - campaigning the famous black (now blue and white) ex-Carvell Volkswagen Golf Mark I GTi, entered by ATMR.

Claire is now seeking strategic partners for taking her career onwards and upwards in non-single seaters in 2006 and beyond.

She has her own "Newsletter" compiled on her behalf by Rebecca Hobbs - for a copy email rebecca@clairetippet.com . Claire's favourite things include the BTCC Vauxhall ("favourite race car"), the MINI Cooper S ("favourite road car" - her BMW background coming out here) or the fabulous Noble M12 and "favourite website" www.motor-sport.uk.com apart from her own new site which you will enjoy at www.clairetippet.com

Claire Tippet ~ Strong Finishes in Season Finale
Claire Tippet put in a strong pair of performances in the season finale of the VW Racing Cup held at Snetterton, Norfolk at the weekend. Confirming the VW Racing Cup's reputation as one of the most popular national series, there was no sign of the competitors' interest waning just because it was the last round with 26 cars turning out.

In her VW Golf GTi, Claire took part in testing on Friday - her first outing in the car since the previous round at Brands Hatch when after a superb race one, she was the innocent victim in a first corner accident in race two. With a new rear axle and rebuilt fuel tank, the car was feeling good but Claire reported a slight juddering sound and handling issue. Closer investigation found a buckled wheel was the culprit and with this exchanged for the alloy from Claire's wet set of tyres, the tracking was reset and the issue resolved though now everyone had to hope it wouldn't rain after the 'cannibalisation' of the wet tyres!

These investigations did impound on Claire's qualifying and she was disappointed to be 24th on the grid. However, as has become customary this year, her starting position didn't impede her race as she put in a storming first race. Avoiding a first lap, first corner incident, Claire found herself lowering her best times with every lap and finished in a strong 15th position.

Race Two was to see Claire in a race long battle with Stuart Bliss, also in a Golf GTi MkI. With Bliss having a tyre advantage, it called for late breaking on Claire's behalf into the corners and full throttle on the straights. Whilst Bliss did get passed on one occasion, Claire fought back to regain the position . A number of faster cars which had started at the back of the grid after failing to finish race one, scythed through the pack but Claire found them quite useful as she 'hung to their shirt tails' and despite not having the most powerful car on track was pleased with her pace in comparison. Claire finished the race 16th with the chequered flag coming at just the right time as on crossing the finishing line she ran out of petrol!

Claire finished the championship 24th overall on 18 points and is already looking towards 2006.

"This is my final year racing the Golf in the VW Racing Cup" said Claire afterwards, " and I am already considering a number of options for next season. Whilst I may not have been in the most competitive car this season in terms of the front runners, I have had several very strong races and I know my race craft has improved immeasurably. I now hope to take this forward into wherever I race next season so I can prove myself further. Naturally, my final choice will be very dependent on being able to realise suitable backing so I will be continuing to search for partners throughout the off-season who would like to join us on the race track in 2006."

"At the end of this VW Racing Cup season I'd especially like to thank everyone at Allard Turner Motor Racing at Cheltenham for their invaluable support , Cole Easdon Consultants and KoGee.co.uk for their backing and of course, my family."

Source: www.girlracer.co.uk/gr2006/MS_clairefinal.htm

Related Issue: Women Racers Directory, Women in Racing, Women Racers, More Women in Racing, Race Schedules, Notable Women

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