Vertu Motors

BATTLES GALORE IN MINI ESERIES AT SILVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL

  • Jack McIntyre and Dave Marshall share poles and victories
  • New winners Isaac Smith and Luke Kidsley
  • Next race at Snetterton on 20th June

The MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries second event at Northamptonshire’s Silverstone International circuit saw both Dave Marshall and Jack McIntyre split the majority of poles and races wins.  Other drivers to star included Luke Kidsley, Alex Toth-Jones, Tobin Leigh, Isaac Smith and Josh Hislop.

Marshall took the first blood, qualifying pole by just over a tenth from McIntyre.  It was real world racer and Lux Motorsport MINI CHALLENGE driver coach Luke Kidsley in 3rd place.  Alex Toth-Jones showed impressive pace just in front of Ryan Elliott.

McIntyre and Marshall battled in the opener but were closely followed by Toth-Jones.  McIntyre came out in front, just.  Behind the gaps were relatively big, considering the close racing seen in the series so far.  Josh Martin scored well in fourth, and would go on to take the round win for the real-world racers.

After showing impressive qualifying pace it was Luke Kidsley who took the win in race two, 6 seconds perhaps the biggest gap seen all season between 1st and 2nd place.  Tobin Leigh headed Ryan Elliott and a train of another 5 cars who ran nose to tail throughout.

McIntyre struck back on Marshall’s qualifying record in race two, an impressive lap time put him top of the time sheets from Marshall and Eliott.  Tobin Leigh managed separate the two title protagonists, Marshall taking the win.  The battle from 3rd to 8th again separated by just a few seconds.

The final race of the day has always been action packed.  Isaac Smith made a breakaway at the front taking Josh Hislop, real world points leader with him.  Marshall battled through to take a reverse grid race podium, his first of the series.  Behind, Max Coates drove through from 14th on the grid to 4th and fended off Jack McIntyre who finished 5th.

Marshall’s outright pace and final race efforts meant he won the driver of the day vote.

The eSeries now moves to Snetterton where the drivers continue to battle for the championships incredible £20,000+ prize pool.  The real world drivers racing for a £10,000 Sim Race Pro Virtual Reality Racing Club (VRRC) simulator sponsored by MSL Motorsport Consultancy and a race weekend in the MINI CHALLENGE UK Cooper Class for the top sim-racer.

Fans of the series can follow all the action on social media via the hashtag – #MINICHALLENGEUKeSeries and live streaming on the MINI CHALLENGE UK YouTube and Facebook pages which as per the real-world competition will be commentated on by Richard John Neil.

MINI CHALLENGE UK Live Stream Links for Round 4 – Silverstone International:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MINIChallengeUK/posts/4162609693779256
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgbUgn83yQ0
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/vrracingclub

Season Calendar:

  1. Donington Park National – Saturday 23rd May
  2. Brands Hatch Indy – Saturday 30th May
  3. Silverstone National – Saturday 6th June
  4. Silverstone International – Saturday 13th June
  5. Snetterton 300 – Saturday 20th June
  6. Croft – Saturday 27th June
  7. Knockhill – Saturday 4th July
  8. Brands Hatch GP – Saturday 11th July

Event Timetable:

  • Live streams start approximately 11:45
  • Qualifying 1: 12:00
  • Race 1: 12:30
  • Race 2: 13:00 (Reverse grid top ten)
  • Qualifying 2: 13:45
  • Race 3: 14:15
  • Race 4: 14:45 (Reverse grid top ten)