MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT ANNOUNCES ENDURANCE EVENT

Organisers of the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport have announced a special one-off endurance race that will take place later this season.

The series – launched earlier this year as a club-level affiliate to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE – will run the event on the full Donington Park Grand Prix circuit on 15 October, the day after the 2023 season draws to a close at the same venue.

Dubbed as the ‘MINI Le Dons’, the race will run over a duration of 40 minutes and will be the first MINI CHALLENGE run to run to a multi-driver format.

Entries will be capped at a maximum of two drivers per car, although single-driver entries will also be possible for those looking to maximise track time and enjoy the experience of contesting a longer race.

As with the main Clubsport series, the race will be open to cars in the Cooper S, Cooper S Open and Cooper Am classes, with trophies being handed out to each of the three class winners

Additional ‘Invitational’ entries outside the three regular classes may be considered depending on grid numbers, with a maximum grid of 32 entries being available.

“Our first season has been very successful so far, and we’re pleased with the positive feedback we have received from competitors through the early rounds of the season,” series co-founder Rob Austin said.

“One thing that was always in our mind was to explore the possibility of running a longer endurance event, and we’re delighted to be in a position to now announce our plans for a race at Donington Park at the end of the season.

“The current plan is for a 40-minute race – almost three times longer than our usual 15-minute races – with drivers able to share a car, which will open up the opportunity for more people to get involved.

“We’re expecting interest levels to be high, and there is even the possibility of some ‘celebrity’ drivers being involved, so we encourage anyone who wants to take part to get in touch and register their interest.”