For the final round of the season, we headed to the iconic Brands Hatch circuit in Kent. Two days of testing were on the cards at a circuit where Jude had only tested once before. Day 1 was mixed conditions on the GP circuit.

Jude enjoys the challenge of the wet and changing track state and put in a great performance, finishing the day in 3rd place overall. Practice for day 2 was on the Indy circuit and the rain was biblical. This was not a layout that would be raced, and so we used the time to scrub in the new tyres, practice the daunting Paddock Hill Bend and set up for qualifying.

The sprint format of Junior qualifying gives the drivers just three laps to dial in and set a time. Jude put in a solid performance and qualified 8th position for race 1, and 10th for race 2. This put him in a strong position to battle forward in the race, and heading up the Freshman category.​

A perfect start, going the long way around to make up a place over the Paddock Hill bend. Jude stuck with the pack and was showing the confidence he’s developed over the course of the year. There was something in the water this weekend with some spectacular racing, the juniors were really putting on a show. Jude had to balance defending the cars behind that were getting a tow from him with pushing forward to keeping with the front pack. A strong performance kept Jude in 8th place overall, right on the back of the leading pack over the line, and the first top step finish of the Freshman category of the weekend.

Race two started from 10th place, and a great start put Jude up to 7th over through the first corner. This race was to be a massive battle with the Juniors continuing to put on some of the most spectacular close quarters racing. Off track excursions for other racers, that were well avoided to keep position. Jude came under pressure from the ultimate champion of the series making the mature decision to tuck in behind him to bring home the car in 10th overall, and another Freshman category 1st place.

A The final race of the season, and Jude started in 10th place. Another great start and Jude was up to 9th and fought hard against those in front to push up to 8th . Whilst making a move for 7th position the pack closed up and Jude bumped into the driver in front. His bonnet popped up and the additional drag started to slow the car, an unfortunate handicap. An aggressive move from another driver into turn 4 pushed Jude off circuit and he lost his momentum dropping 4 places. He fought back with maturity against some rather boisterous driving from others. He held his nerve against some drivers seemingly determined to muscle him off circuit. Jude demonstrated the confidence and race craft he has developed over the season to fight back and finish in 9th overall with his pace in line with the race leaders. Another 1st place, and another clean sweep in the Freshman category with both hands on the Freshman Championship for 2024, taking a championship in his first ever season of racing.

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Another amazing weekend, and a great finish to Jude’s first ever season of racing. A huge learning curve and in the face of some incredible competition, Jude demonstrated his ability as a regular top 8 finisher and romping away with the Freshman Championship for 2024. All the juniors can be proud of the show they put on with the best racing to watch anywhere … and Jude is proud to have been a part of the show. Watch this space for his next move where he continues to shift reality and demonstrate what’s possible for sim racers moving to the real world.