Recognises clue about breaks for refuelling (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
pit stops
'breaks for refuelling' is the definition.
(breaks for refuelling in motorsports)
'recognises clue about' is the wordplay.
'recognises' becomes 'spots' (spot can mean to notice or recognise).
'clue' becomes 'tip' (I've seen this before).
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'spots'+'tip'='spotstip'
'spotstip' backwards is 'PIT STOPS'.
(Other definitions for pit stops that I've seen before include "Brief pauses in car racing for maintenance" , "Brief halts in motor-racing" .)