GRAVES MOTORSPORT GRADUATE TO JCW CLASS WITH GRAVETT AND COATES
Graves Motorsport can today announce that they are entering the MINI CHALLENGE JCW championship for the first time with Bradley Gravett, son of 1990 BTCC Champion Robb and MINI CHALLENGE race winner Max Coates.
Graves Motorsport are based in Colchester, Essex. Established in 2015 they have progressed through from grassroots motorsport to the BTCC support paddock winning multiple championships along the way. With firm ambitions to participate on the BTCC itself in the near future, signing Max and Bradley is the next step towards achievement that.
Bradley competed in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy in 2020 and will make the step up to a JCW car this year. After a solid season showing great pace he hopes to learn and develop his driving throughout the 2021 season.
Max Coates comes to the team with MINI JCW class experience having won a race and taken a pole position last season. A known name in the support paddock Max is aiming to win the championship and make his way back to the BTCC in the near future.
The MINI CHALLENGE visits Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Knockhill, Donington Park and Coates home circuit, Croft, during the 2021 season in which it remains as a support series to the BTCC events. Featuring live ITV4 coverage reaching 20 million in the UK alone and average crowds of 38,000 people, it makes for an exciting day of action in which the MINI CHALLENGE plays a significant role.
After signing Bradley and Max to his team David Graves, Team Manager at Graves Motorsport said, “We’re delighted to sign Bradley and Max to run under the Graves Motorsport banner in 2021. Max will bring a wealth of JCW experience with him on our progression to the next level, whilst Bradley knows the team well having raced in the Trophy Class last season. We believe we can work together and be in a position to fight for race wins from the first round in 2021.”
On his 2021 racing plans Coates said, “I’m looking forward to a new season of MINI CHALLENGE JCW racing this year and hope that we can continue the success from 2020. I’m delighted to sign with Karl, Dave and Peter at Graves Motorsport, it’s very clear that our future goals align and the essence of a family team really resonates with me. The plan is to mount a serious championship challenge so our focus now is on preparing for the start of the season and starting it as I did in 2020. Unlike 2020, I’m looking forward to spectators, friends, family and sponsors being back trackside with me in 2021, something I missed massively from the racing experience last season.”
Bradley also said “I’m excited to be stepping up the JCW class in 2021 with Graves Motorsport, I see it as the natural progression to follow in my father’s footsteps onto the BTCC grid and podium.”
The 2021 MINI CHALLENGE UK season starts at Snetterton on the 12-13th June with the second round hopefully allowing for a full resumption of spectator support as the UK starts to open Covid restrictions in line with its roadmap. Fans will be able to follow the season via Max’s, Graves Motorsport and the MINI CHALLENGE social media as well as live on ITV4 from each event. Tickets for each race meeting are available via the individual circuit’s websites.
