JCW CHAMPION TOM OVENDEN CONFIRMS TITLE DEFENCE

Tom Ovenden has confirmed that he will return to the MINI CHALLENGE in 2026 in a bid to secure back-to-back JCW titles.

Ovenden will remain with the EXCELR8 team for what will be a sixth season, having first raced with the multiple champions back in 2021 when he made the move to circuit racing from rallycross.

Having secured the Cooper title in 2023, Ovenden move into the JCW class the following season, scoring a maiden victory in the series at Croft.

In his second year on the grid, Ovenden then emerged as champion last year after an impressive campaign that saw him score ten podiums in 19 starts, allowing him to emerge on top of the standings at his home circuit of Brands Hatch back in October.

Ovenden will now look to join Dan Zelos in defending the title as the second member of the EXCELR8 line-up to be confirmed, with Turkish racers Cemil Cipa set to make his series debut.

“I’m delighted to announce my return to the MINI CHALLENGE to defend my title, and to be continuing my successful relationship with EXCELR8,” Ovenden said.

“Last season was fantastic for me, and lifting the championship at Brands Hatch on the final weekend was a dream come true after a huge effort from the whole team.

“As the defending champion, I know that I’ll have a bit of a target on my back in 2026 as the driver everyone else wants to beat, but I’m going into the season full of confidence and with my focus firmly on winning a second JCW title.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 team owner, added her delight at extending Ovenden’s relationship with the team, which includes an extension of his role as an EXCELR8 development driver.

“We were all thrilled to see Tom lift the JCW title last season and it’s fantastic that he will return this year to try and defend it,” she said.

“We have seen Tom grow as both a driver and a man since his first race with us back in 2021 and fully expect him to be right in the mix for honours again during the new season.”