MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT FIRMS UP 2024 PLANS

Organisers of the MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT series have firmed up plans for the 2024 season as the championship bids to build on a successful 2023 campaign.

The brainchild of former MINI CHALLENGE racers Rob Austin and Tom Halliwell, the series launched earlier this year to provide a club-level option for MINI drivers who wanted to compete together on track, and operated as an affiliate to the main JCW and Cooper classes run by the MINI CHALLENGE itself.

Despite being a new addition to the racing scene, MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT would average an encouraging 22 cars across the season – higher than several more established championships – with a total of 27 drivers featuring on the grid.

An end-of-season endurance event also proved to be a popular addition to the schedule, attracting 18 further drivers new to the championship for the race at Donington Park.

Eager to grow in the second year of competition, the 2024 MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT season will comprise of 15 races spread across five meetings, all of which will feature three races.

Events at Brands Hatch, Thruxton and Donington Park will take place alongside the British Truck Racing Championship whilst there are also meetings at Castle Combe and Croft – the latter alongside the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper class.

Plans are also being worked on for a second running of the endurance event given the success of 2023, with an October date at Oulton Park being the favoured option.

As well as confirming the calendar, organisers have also confirmed an extension of the title sponsorship agreement signed with Airtec Motorsport ahead of 2023, which will see the series continue to run as the ‘MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT in association with Airtec Motorsport’.

As part of its increased support for the series, Airtec Motorsport will provide new intercoolers for all cars competing in the Cooper S class, and will also develop a new, bespoke rear wing for the same cars.

Entries for the 2024 season are now open, with an impressive 34 drivers having pre-registered their interest.

“For a new series, we were really pleased with how the 2023 season panned out and we achieved many of the goals we set ourselves at the start of the year,” series co-founder Austin said.

“We are eager to now build on our debut season in 2024 and are hugely encouraged by the interest we had before entries even opened, both from existing drivers and those who saw what we did this year and want to be involved.

“The ongoing support of our various partners is going to be key during the year ahead and it’s hugely positive to have Airtec Motorsport increasing its backing going into 2024. With a strong calendar in place, we look forward to getting down to business and are already looking ahead to another fantastic year of MINI racing.”

2024 MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT in association with Airtec Motorsport calendar:
31 March/1 April – Brands Hatch Indy
15/16 June – Castle Combe
6/7 July – Thruxton
10/11 August – Donington Park National
7/8 September – Croft