Mason and Garford reflect on a successful Season in Fiesta Juniors

The Wera Alliance Racing Academy fielded a two-car team for the 2024 RSCC Fiesta Junior championship as returning front-runner Jenson Mason was joined by two-time Wera Tools British Kart Champion Alfie Garford.

The striking black and green Wera Mk7 Fiestas broke cover in March for the non-championship opening round at Silverstone. Immediately, it was a testing weekend for Jenson Mason as a catastrophic engine failure in testing saw him competing with an underpowered spare unit. However, it did not dampen the weekend as he claimed a pair of fifth place finishes in the two races. It was a dream debut weekend for Alfie Garford as he claimed 3^rd place in the opening race and returned to the podium in second place in race 2.

The championship proper kicked-off in Brands Hatch in April as a packed field of 22 cars battled on the tight Indy Circuit. It was Alfie’s turn to suffer an issue in testing that prevented him setting a time in qualifying. Starting last in the opening race, Alfie battled through to 11^th before climbing to 6^th in race 2 and then rounding out the weekend with a spectacular 3^rd place in race 3. Meanwhile, Jenson had a consistent and solid weekend claiming a 6^th place in the opening race followed by two 4^th places finishes.

The Championship travelled to Snetterton in May for the next round and it was a weekend to remember for Jenson Mason who claimed his first win of the season in the opening race and backed it up with a 3^rd place in race 2. Alfie also had a strong 4^th place finish in the opening race before a non-finish in race 2.

Next up was a trip to Cheshire for the May Oulton Park round which was another solid weekend for Alfie who brough home a 4^th place finish in race one and 5^th in race 2. Jenson’s weekend proved to be more difficult with 11^th in race one and a penalty dropping him to 19^th in race 2.

A July trip to Croft prevented both drivers visiting the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but three races tested the crews. Jenson again had an issue that prevented him setting a qualifying time, but fought from the back of the grid to finish 13^th in the opening race. He continued his rise through the field to claim 6^th in race 2 and 4^th in Race 3. Alfie also had a strong opening race finishing 7^th, before a non-finish in race 2 put him at the back of the grid for race 3. However, he showed great speed to make it back up to 15^th at the chequered flag.

The crews returned to Silverstone to race on the National Circuit in August and both drivers were immediately on the pace with Alfie claiming a 4^th place and 3^rd place in the first two races while Jenson finished 6^th and 8^th. The final race of the weekend was a high-point in the season as Alfie claimed his first ever win in car racing and was joined on the podium by Jenson who came home third.

That momentum was carried into Thruxton in September as the Wera Alliance Racing Academy pair claimed their second 1-3 finish in a row in the opening race. This time it was Jenson on the top step with Alfie finishing 3^rd. That was Aflie’s first of three trips to the podium over the weekend as he repeated his 3^rd place finish in race 2 before climbing to 2^nd in race 3. Jenson on the other hand struggled to 6^th in race 2 before another issue put him down to 15^th for the final race of the weekend.

The final round of the season saw the crews return to the Silverstone International circuit in October. Jenson showed great speed across the weekend climbing from 9^th in race 1 to 8^th in race 2 and 6^th in race 3. Alfie had a hattrick of podiums coming home 3^rd in all three races to cap off a fantastic first season in cars.  

The final Championship standings saw Alfie finish 4^th overall and 3^rd in the Rookie’s Cup while Jenson finished just behind him in 5^th. Speaking at the end of the season, but drivers commented:

Alfie Garford:

“The 2024 season has been a blast kicking off the season with an influx of podiums and asserting myself as a force to be reckoned with. This confidence made me want even more than just a podium and that was the main reason for a drop in results mid-season. As racing drivers, we all want to win, so I had to get my head down dig deep and focus on the end goal that was to do as well as possible in the championship. So with a focus on consistency and high level results I finished the season on a high with a podium streak of 9/9 and 2 out of the last 3 rounds where I out-scored the rest of the field. Thanks to these results, I picked up 3rd position in the mk7 championship and 4th overall. This season has been full of ups and downs, learning and progression and due to this I am full of confidence going into next year striving forwards always aiming for the top and my sights locked in on bigger and better results!”

Jenson Mason:

“What a year it's been!  I have experienced amazing highs and frustrating lows, but it's been pretty awesome overall!  Sadly, it didn't end on a high with engine issues that we just couldn't resolve at the final round at Silverstone, but I thoroughly enjoyed my last race in the Fiesta Juniors!  I've learnt and progressed so much this year and I can't wait for 2025!

To be consistently competing at the front of the grid and winning races, taking pole, and being on the podium at 5 out of 7 rounds in my second year is a dream come true, and none of this would be possible without the amazing people I have around me...

Pete Osborne, where do I start... Pete took a chance on me and has always believed in me.  I can't thank him enough for backing me, supporting me, encouraging me, and for always being proud of my achievements.  I owe him so much and will forever be grateful.

Wera Tools UK - Thank you so much for your continued support in 2024 and for always cheering me on!  It has been great getting to know you all over the past two years and I feel very privileged to be supported by such an amazing brand and group of people.

Wera Alliance Academy - The partnership between Wera Tools UK and Alliance Racing is simply the best! and one of the most successful in UK motorsport.  Probably because it was formed by two of the best… Pete Osborne and Ian Walford created the academy based on their love of motorsport and their desire to give something back to help young people to succeed in the highly competitive world of motorsport.  I am so privileged to be one of those people and I will always be proud to represent the academy, their partners, and everything they stand for #WeraAllianceAcademy 

All my sponsors - A HUGE thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me.  I appreciate you more than you will ever know, and I hope I have made you all proud.”