Jamie Harrison returned to racing after a year out - and achieved his best-ever result.

Harrison competed in the British Formula Vee meeting at Brands Hatch as a one-off, with the intention of returning to the grid properly in 2021.

But the 2017 Class B champion surprised himself by qualifying seventh out of 29 cars and finishing overall third, mixing at the front against Class A rivals.

It’s whetted his appetite for his return to the sport.

“I went to Brands just to shake off the rust and check the car was OK,” said the Sheppey racer, 26.

“It’s been over a year since I raced so I wasn’t expecting anything.

“To qualify seventh and finish third overall is the best overall result I’ve ever had. My previous best was fifth.

“I’ve always been fighting for wins in Class B, around the overall top 10, but I’ve never been right up there in terms of fighting the Class As.

“It kind of showed I’ve still got it, and the car’s still got it. It showed a lot of promise for next year.

“My aim is not just to participate, it’s to win the Class B championship again, but after getting a result like that, it’s made me wonder whether I should be thinking about going into Class A and challenging for the overall championship.

“Certainly, in 2022, I’d like to go for the overall title because if I can finish third after such a long time out, what can I do with lots of practice and testing?”

Harrison is raising funds to ensure he’s on the grid next year - and has been thinking outside the box.

He said: “It isn’t a cheap sport and going to five companies and asking for huge lumps of money is difficult, so we’ve come up with an idea where we go to lots more companies and ask for a small sum of money.

“The race number on the car is No. 57 so we’ve got this idea, Club 57, where the aim is to get 57 companies - or people - to sponsor £57 each.

“If we get the full 57 that will give us enough to enter the car for next year and that’s the big cost out the way.

“Once we’re on the grid we can worry about fuel and tyres and maintenance but it’s the entry that’s the big cost.

“We’ve got various other options, such as a title sponsor, and if larger companies want to have their name all across the car or my overalls or crash helmet, then they can sponsor anything up to and beyond £700. The options are endless.”

To get in touch with Harrison regarding sponsorship, email jamieharrison.57racing@gmail.com.

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