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Scalextric C4317 Honda Civic Type R - BTCC 2021 - Jade Edwards. RRP £49.99. Scheduled October-November 2022.

Following close behind the Gordon Shedden car (SlotRacer review here), a second livery on the new Scalextric Civic FK8 features the BTC Racing colour scheme raced by Jade Edwards in the 2021 BTCC...

       

Having made her debut in a one-off drive in 2020, Jade Edwards became the first female driver to contest a full season in the British Touring Car Championship since 2007. Driving the third BTC Racing entry - their second year with the new Civic FK8 - Jade had a tough first weekend at Thuxton with two retirements, but bounced back at Snetterton with her first point for fifteenth place in race three. That was no mean feat for a rookie driver in such a competitive series - and she became the first female driver to score in the championship since Fiona Leggate at Thruxton back in 2006.

       

A third-generation driver, Jade follows in the footsteps of her father - BTCC race winner Jim Edwards Jr - and grandfather and Clio Cup racer Jim Edwards Sr. She began her motorsport career with the 2006 Ginetta Junior series. Edwards’ first high-profile win came in 2014, when she won an Aston Martin GT4 Challenge race outright and was selected as an Aston Martin Young Driver for 2015. Jade would contest a number of selected British GT rounds, as well as winning the Hungary 12-hour in the car. Edwards rose to prominence in the Renault UK Clio Cup, which she contested until the series came to an end at the end of 2019. A seat in the BTCC was the obvious next step.

Racing in the BTCC is a childhood dream of mine, and is something that I’ve made no secret of working towards. I’ve been  in the paddock since I was 10 years old, either supporting my dad or competing myself-to now be racing in the main event is something I’ll never forget! PMR have a brilliant track record, and Adam has always shown support in my career, even sponsoring my Clio campaign in 2018, so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to work with them. The Astra has already proven its speed this season, so I’m itching to get out in it and see what I can do.

Her debut in the Astra at Silverstone was enough to catch the eye of BTC Racing and - with extra backing from sponsor PHSC -  a full season contract was signed. Interviewed by Steve Rider in August 2021, Jade was philosophical about her early progress in the top UK race series...



No more points came Jade's way in 2021 - although a string of consistent Sunday performances meant she was retained by BTC Racing in 2022, alongside Josh Cook and Jason Plato. With a season under her belt and the mentorship of Plato, Edward's 2022 campaign saw her much closer to the points at every weekend - although another fifteenth place (at Brands) was her best result. Extremely popular with fans and in the paddock, Jade is hoping for another crack at BTCC in 2023 and the opportunity for a breakthrough season.

Before that, Jade will have her 2021 Civic released by Scalextric - and raced on slot car tracks in living rooms and clubs around the world. Surely it doesn't get any better than that! She certainly looked rather pleased during this 2021 Xmas video...




The Jade Edwards Honda Civic is due to arrive with the next batch of cars from Scalextric. Keep an eye on the Scalextric website and retailers over the next couple of weeks. A big thank you to the Scalextric team for access to these images of the new car.