MINI CHALLENGE SECURES BRDC QUALIFYING STATUS

Organisers of the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE can today confirm that the headline JCW category has been named as a qualifying championship for the highly prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC).

The BRDC is widely regarded as the most exclusive club in motorsport, with membership only open to those individuals who have enjoyed on-track success at the highest level in a strict list of different series.

The announcement will see the MINI CHALLENGE JCW championship join that list and is further recognition of the growing reputation of the series, which has become firmly established as one of the leading supports for the high-profile British Touring Car Championship package in recent years.

It also means the MINI CHALLENGE joins an even more exclusive list of single-make series to have been awarded qualifying status, alongside the likes of W Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB – the latter running with the JCW grid as part of the TOCA package.

In order to be considered for BRDC Membership, potential applicants are required to fulfil two criteria; to have raced for three seasons in a qualifying series and to have scored at least four overall top three finishes from their qualifying races.

Although podium finishes in the MINI CHALLENGE cannot be used – in line with a number of National series such as GB3 – drivers finishing inside the top four of the championship standings from the 2022 season onwards will be able to use that season as part of their application.

In the event of a driver securing multiple top four championship finishes, only one qualifying season can be used in a bid to secure membership of the Club.

It makes the MINI CHALLENGE the ideal stepping stone for potential applicants before competing in championships with full qualifying status, where any overall top three finishes would count towards the results element of the criteria.

“It goes without saying that we are absolutely delighted by the news that the MINI CHALLENGE is to be added to the list of qualifying championships by the BRDC,” series promoter Antony Williams said.

“Membership of the BRDC is something that has to be earned, and the fact that we are now approved by the Club in this way is a reflection of the highly competitive nature of the championship.

“It only serves to strengthen the view that the MINI CHALLENGE is one of the leading championships for drivers who are looking to forge a career at the highest level of tin-top competition we are look forward to seeing drivers from the MINI CHALLENGE family join the exclusive list of BRDC Members in the years to come.”

James Gornall – MINI CHALLENGE champion in 2019 – is amongst the select list of drivers to already hold full BRDC Membership, having earned the honour on the back of his title winning performance in the British GT Championship.