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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
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