Harvey Riby will return to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy in 2024 after signing up for a second season with EXCELR8.
Riby joined the team this season as he took the step into car racing for the first time, having previously enjoyed success in karting as he worked his way up the motorsport ladder.
Qualifying fourth for the opening meeting of the year at Brands Hatch, Riby scored a top-ten finish in his first race before a dramatic roll out of the second race at Paddock Hill Bend.
That top ten finish remains the best result of the year so far for the teenager who goes into the season finale next month aiming to break into the top-ten in the Rookie Cup, with focus then switching to his graduate campaign in 2024.
“I’m hugely excited to have the opportunity to come back for another crack at the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy in 2024,” he said. “This year has been a massive learning year for me and has been really enjoyable, and I feel I’m in the best place to keep learning and improving next year.
“Coming into this season I wasn’t setting myself any big goals, so when I arrived at Brands Hatch for round one and qualified in P4, I think my expectations shot up. In that respect, I was hoping for more from the results, but I have to remember that the move into a series as competitive as this one is a huge one to take for someone my age.
“There is no doubt I’m going to be in a much stronger position going into my second year, and with people like Dan [Zelos] and Ronan [Pearson] to help guide me with the experience they have, and the support of a fantastic team in EXCELR8, I’m confident that 2024 can be a good season.
“Hopefully we can be in the Graduate Cup fight, and pushing to try and get into the top six overall.”
Team owner Justina Williams said she felt confident that Riby would be able to show off his true potential in year two of the programme.
“Harvey has been a fantastic addition to our Cooper team this season and has certainly shown his potential at times with his pace on track,” she said. “Things haven’t always gone his way, but his enthusiasm and positive nature have shone through, and that approach is something that will serve him well going forwards in his career.
“There is no doubt that a year of experience under his belt is going to benefit Harvey going into 2024, and I see no reason why he won’t be able to challenge higher up the order and challenge for some silverware as the season goes on.”
“There is no doubt that a year of experience under his belt is going to benefit Harvey going into 2024, and I see no reason why he won’t be able to challenge higher up the order and challenge for some silverware as the season goes on.”
