.png)
Jacques Mizzi racing at the fastest circuit in the UK – Thruxton
This weekend, 20-year old Jacques Mizzi is racing his Coca Cola Zero Clio at Thruxton Circuit in Andover, Hampshire – the fastest circuit in the UK. Thruxton circuit is one and a half hours away from London.
![Jacques Mizzi (Coca Cola Zero Clio) [No. 28] in action at Donington Park circuit (courtesy of Jakob Ebrey)](http://content.maltatoday.com.mt/ui/images/photos/)
Jacques Mizzi (Coca Cola Zero Clio) [No. 28] in action at Donington Park circuit (courtesy of Jakob Ebrey)
Alfred A. Farrugia
The 30-minute qualifying session starts at 11.20 am UK time on Saturday, and at 16.35 hours Jacques will participate in the 12-lap race of the Renault UK Clio Cup - the 5th race in the 2013 series.
The 6th race of another 12 laps will take place on Sunday at 12.42 in the afternoon UK time. Thousands of spectators will be watching these races because the Clio Cup is a supporting race of the most popular Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Those sitting in the grandstands will also watch all the action in other parts of the circuit through 16-metre big screens!
In addition to the very competitive one-make Clio championship, another 4 supporting races of BTCC will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 - 5. These are the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup, the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, the Ginetta Junior Championship, and the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.
Thruxton Circuit is the fastest, most difficult and longest circuit in the UK at 2.4 miles per lap. This might work in Jacques' favour because he has been registering very fast speeds in different circuits, including Thruxton.
Thruxton was originally a wartime airfield and it hosted both the RAF and the USAAF. Its runways and perimeter roads were used for motor sport in 1950 mainly for motor bikes, but in 1968 a new racing circuit was built following the lines of the perimeter road. Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt were among the most popular drivers who raced there. Malta could have done the same thing at Ta' Qali!
High speed corners
It will be interesting to watch Jacques racing along the seemingly never ending high speed corners where maximum concentration and commitment are required.
Jacques has made a wise decision to join Westbourne Motorsport because in 2011, the team was runner up in the Championship and took its first win in the penultimate round at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, and claimed the lap record at Knockhill in Scotland.
Westbourne Motorsport originally started running in the Junior Citroen Saxmax series for 14 to 17 year olds, when the team won the championship in 2008 and 2010 with James Colburn and Ant Worton Eales respectively. In 2010 they stepped up to the Clio Cup and by the end of the year reached the podium with James.
Richard Colburn, the Managing Director of Westbourne Motors is impressed with Jacques excellent progress considering that the young driver had practically no experience racing cars.
Jacques' 13th position in the 2nd free practice session in official testing under drizzling and damp conditions a month ago, and the 5th best speed of 90.9 mph at the Finish Line, augur well for this weekend.
All the auto racing fans in Malta wish Jacques the best of luck and a better placing than the last 4 races to move another step ahead in the Drivers' championship.
