ALBERT WEBSTER SECURES 2024 VERTU MINI CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP

Following two days of intense competition, Albert Webster has been named as the winner of the inaugural Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship – taking the top prize worth more than £50,000.

The 18-year-old saw off the challenge of more than 100 rivals across the three stages of the competition to secure the award, earning him a package that includes an entry, car hire, fuel, brakes and tyres for the all-new JCW Sport class being introduced this season.

The competition kicked off prior to Christmas with an event at Capital Karts in London before those chosen to progress to stage two headed for Croft – where they were given the chance to sample a MINI CHALLENGE Trophy car on track.

The final 20 drivers selected then progressed to the final a day later to become some of the first drivers to sample the new JCW Sport car before the judges made the difficult decision over who would emerge on top.

Webster will make the move into the MINI CHALLENGE on the back of a hugely successful 2023 season in which he secured the BRSCC Fiesta ST240 Championship title at the first attempt.

Prior to that, he was a front-runner in the Fiesta Junior Championship having started his racing career at the age of just six-years-old on short track ovals.

“I didn’t believe it when my name was called as there were loads of good drivers here, and I expected someone else to win,” he said.

“I’ve got a long drive home so it might sink in by then, but this is a great opportunity for anyone. It sounds awesome to be named as the Scholarship winner and I can’t wait to get going.”

Whilst Webster earned the top prize, there was also reason to cheer for Harri Reynolds, who secured £7,000 towards his 2024 programme from Alliance Racing and NAPA Racing UK, which was offered to the finalists ahead of stage three taking place.

Reynolds was a race winner in the Ginetta Junior Championship before moving to GB4 last season, taking a win at Silverstone in a part campaign in the single-seater series.

Following the success of the 2024 Scholarship we are making a few changes to our original plans for the 2025 event, so watch out for exciting news next week.

If you have any questions, please email us on racemini@minichallenge.co.uk