Bella Fairclough burst onto the motorsport scene in 2021 having just turned 10 years old. Since then she has been making quite a name for herself in the world of Karting, breaking records and wining multiple titles and prestigious awards along the way. Prior to that Bella had grown up amongst the rolling hills and forests of Mid-Wales when the family decided to leave England for a more peaceful life.
No sooner had the family moved, racing driver Dad purchased an electric quad bike for Bella's 6th Birthday. A nippy little thing, this introduced Bella to the idea of four wheels and a motor. Then came the 50cc and subsequent 90cc Yamaha quads Dad and daughter(s) would take on regular off-roading exploration trips through the Radnorshire forests. Yes that's right, Bella has a younger sister Alice who also has a passion for all things petrol and four wheels, although now spends most of her time between tennis and karate, the latter becoming the English Open Karate Champion in 2023.
In just her first four months of racing Bella became O-Plate Champion 2021, taking the crown at Rowrah circuit in the Lake District. To top off her achievements that year, after finishing 3rd overall in the The Kart Championship (formerly BKC) Bella was given the award for Outstanding Achievement, selected from a field of over 70 cadet drivers.
Moving on to 2022, more accolades were to quickly follow. A short stint at the Clay Pigeon Club Championship saw Bella dominate the podium with multiple wins and an almost flawless lights to flag weekend domination at one of the early rounds. During her time racing at the Dorset track she was crowned Wessex Champion and took the coveted WC plate for 2022.
Along with her title Bella entered into the Ultimate Karting Championship campaign and in Round 4, again at Clay Pigeon Raceway, became the first female winner of a championship weekend setting fastest laps and most overtakes along the way. A driving display that would elevate Bella to new heights.
As a member of the British Women's Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC) Bella would be crowned the youngest ever recipient of their Goldstar U25s Award. An award held by many successful female drivers before Bella. As well as this recognition for Bella's driving skills, she came a very close 2nd in the Downforce Radio Kier Miller Racer of The Year Award 2022, an award that she would go on to win the very next year in 2023.
The opportunities and recognitions didn't stop there. In 2023 Bella was shortlisted by the FIA as 'one of the world's best' promising young female drivers in their Girls on Track Rising Stars programme. As one one of eight young drivers selected from a field of 115 from around the world, Bella's powerful driving display in a first round shootout in Italy put her confidently through to the last four in the world. A contest that would see the winner secure a drive in 2024 with the Ferrari Academy Driver Development programme. Narrowly missing out by arguably a more experienced opponent, Bella talks about her experience with Ferrari and her time in Italy...
"..when my Dad told me I had been selected I couldn't believe it. Our first trip out with the seven other drivers was an amazing experience. We were put through our paces and it was extremely tough competition. I made it through to the final four where it got even tougher with the cold conditions as we returned to Italy in December. One of the girls knew the track really well and had raced there many times before. She proved too tough to beat in the short time we had there, particularly in the cold and wet conditions. But what I learned from her and all of the other girls, and the lifetime experience, was invaluable. I made some friends for life."
Back in England and Bella can be seen racing in the MSUK Kart Championship, a national championship taking part across some of the finest tracks in the UK. We asked Bella how that was going for 2024.
"..its going well. Although 2023 was a great year for me personally I didn't get as much seat time as I had hoped mainly due to the changes around Mini Max, so for 2024 I'm just focused on practicing for 2025. We decided to enter into the Junior Primo category created by The Kart Championships which means I'm racing against 12-14yrs old, and not the older kids who are 15 and 16. This is great for me while I get to grips with Junior Rotax grids."
We asked Bella what her ambitions were for the future. " I hope to go as far as I can with my sport and just have as much fun as I can. If I get spotted and we get the backing then who knows where it may take me. I will be giving it my best no matter what happens."
We wish Bella all the luck for the future.