MINI CHALLENGE News
HARRY NUNN AND ROB AUSTIN CROWNED MINI CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS AT DONINGTON
Rob Austin and Rookie Harry Nunn took the Cooper S and Cooper title respectively at the end of a dramatic season in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy
AUSTIN AND HILLERY WIN OPENING DONINGTON RACE
Rob Austin took the race win and fastest lap in the opening Donington Park race, as James Hillery controlled the Cooper field to set up an exciting finale.
BUTCHER-LORD TAKES POLE AS POOLE LEADS JUMBLED COOPER GRID
The final qualifying of the year for the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy saw Daniel Butcher-Lord take pole position to close the title gap to six points, as Martin Poole led the Coopers.
WINTER FINALE FOR COOPER AND COOPER S AT DONINGTON
For the final time in 2020, the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE takes to the track at one the UK’s premier motorsport venues; Donington Park. The Leicestershire venue will be the home for the final rounds of the Cooper Class and Cooper S Class, with the championship still on the line for both series.
HARRISON CROWNED CHAMPION AS BROWN ENDS SEASON ON HIGH
EXCELR8 Motorsport driver Nathan Harrison took the JCW Class championship in the final race at Brands Hatch. Lewis Brown meanwhile would take the overall win.
BIRD FLIES TO RACE ONE WIN AT BRANDS HATCH
Max Bird used his pace in the opening half to break away, holding off Nathan Harrison and Dan Zelos for his third win of the year in the JCW Class.
COATES CLAIMS IMPORTANT POLE AHEAD OF SEASON FINALE
Max Coates led the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Class for the final qualifying of the year ahead of Elite Motorsport teammate Max Bird at a wet Brands Hatch.
TITLE ON THE LINE IN KENT COUNTRYSIDE
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Class returns for the final round of a hectic 2020 season. From a delayed season start in August, the series prepares for its finale barely four months later.
DEBUT WIN FOR SMITH IN DRAMATIC SECOND SNETTERTON RACE
The second JCW race of the Snetterton weekend saw Rookie Isaac Smith take his maiden win ahead of Max Coates and Tom Rawlings in a race with two safety cars.
HAPPY HARRISON COMPLETES PERFECT OPENING RACE AT SNETTERTON
Continuing his perfect run of form, Nathan Harrison led from lights to flag for his third win of the season to extend his championship lead. Behind, local driver Dan Zelos finished second ahead of Lewis Brown.
HARRISON HEADS INTO POINTS LEAD WITH DOMINANT QUALIFYING
Nathan Harrison would not be challenged during qualifying, carrying over his pace from Friday. Rookie driver Jason Lockwood would join his for his first front row start, as Ant Whorton-Eales could not qualify within the top ten.
STACKED MINI GRID TO LIGHT UP NORFOLK COUNTRYSIDE
A packed grid of MINI’s are back in action for the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Class. The premier division of MINI’s are back on the TOCA package after their Silverstone spectacular. With just two rounds remaining, it couldn’t be tighter at the top, with Ant Whorton-Eales leading Nathan Harrison by a single point on dropped scores.
LANGLEY LEADS LIGHTS-TO-FLAG VICTORY FOR COOPERS IN CROFT
Andrew Langley took victory in the second MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class race at Croft, as Martin Poole led home Harry Nunn to round out the podium.
HARRY NUNN SHINES AT DAMP CROFT ENCOUNTER
It was Harry Nunn who won the opening MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class race at Croft. Racing in front of the TOCA package, Porter and Wheatley rounded out the top three.
ALEX NEVILL BEATS NUNN IN COOL CROFT QUALIFYING
Alex Nevill led the way in the 30 min Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper qualifying, swapping personal bests with Harry Nunn as Wheatley completed the top 3 at Croft.
TITLE BATTLE HOTS UP FOR COOPERS AT CROFT
A breakneck season is fast approaching its closing stages for the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class as they prepare for their penultimate round of the season. A last chance to see them supporting the British Touring Car Championship this year.
EXCELR8 WELCOME NATHAN EDWARDS TO MINI CHALLENGE COOPER CLASS
Nathan Edwards has become the latest star to join the prestigious EXCELR8 Motorsport team in the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class. The young driver from Tunbridge Wells has been gradually gaining experience on the British scene and has more than earned the move that will be a stepping stone on his path to the top of the National racing scene.
PODIUM OF FIRSTS AS RAWLINGS ENDS SILVERSTONE ON A HIGH
Tom Rawlings took his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory at Silverstone ahead of Callum Newsham and Ronan Pearson who each made their first visit to the podium.
AW-E LEADS HOME TRAIN FOR IMMACULATE JCW VICTORY
Holding off a group of 13 cars, Ant Whorton-Eales took a stunning victory at Silverstone in the second race of the TOCA support weekend,
DOUBLE DANKAN MINI VICTORY AS O’BRIEN TAKES COOPER POINTS LEAD
James Hillery took the flag in the second Cooper race as his team owner Dan Butcher-Lord proved victorious in the Cooper S class at Snetterton.
HARRISON HOLDS OF ZELOS FOR STUNNING SILVERSTONE VICTORY
Nathan Harrison started on pole, maintaining his lead throughout as he withstood the pressure from new JCW points leader Dan Zelos and Ant Whorton-Eales.
WHEATLEY LEADS COOPERS AT SODDEN SNETT AS BUTCHER-LORD WINS COOPER S
Dominic Wheatley takes first blood at a damp Snetterton, beating Lydia Walmsley and Josh Porter in the opening race. While in Cooper S, Dan Butcher-Lord took the flag.
AUSTIN AND WHEATLEY EACH LEAD BY 2 SECONDS AFTER OVERCAST QUALIFYING
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE at Snetterton threw up two dominant qualifying displays from the Cooper and Cooper S’s, with Rob Austin and Dominic Wheatley leading each respectively.
HARRISON LEADS THE WAY IN SILVERSTONE QUALIFYING
Nathan Harrison and Dan Zelos will occupy the front row for the first round of the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Class at Silverstone, with the top 24 split by one second.
COOPERS COMBINE FOR SNETTERTON SPECTACULAR
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE makes a special appearance at the home of motorsport in East Anglia, Snetterton. For the first time this season the Cooper and Cooper S classes will be combined into a single race.
NEB BURSAC SIGNS WITH EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT FOR JCW CLASS OF THE MINI CHALLENGE
The EXCELR8 Motorsport team is proud to announce the signing of Neb Bursac for the remainder of the 2020 MINI CHALLEGE JCW season and in 2021.
THE BRITISH BRAND RETURNING TO THE HOME OF BRITISH MOTORSPORT
The MINI CHALLENGE is back with its Premier JCW class at the home of UK Motorsport, Silverstone. As we enter the second half of this enthralling season, it could barely be closer at the top with nine drivers having secured a podium and ten still within a realistic chance of clinching the title.
LANGLEY BRINGS COOPER TROPHY BACK TO NORFOLK FROM HAMPSHIRE
In a dramatic conclusion to the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class, Andrew Langley secured victory in a side-by-side run to the line from Ben Kasperczak and Josh Porter.
ACTION REIGNS AT HIGH SPEED THRUXTON THRILLER
Leonardo Panayiotou took victory ahead of Alex Jay in a race of two halves for the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class. Long time race leader Archie O’Brien would round out the podium.
BEN KASPERCZAK VICTORIOUS IN DRAMATIC THRUXTON ENCOUNTER
A dramatic opening race saw Ben Kasperczak take victory ahead of Graduate winner Archie O’Brien as a safety car and red flag shook up the championship battle.
KASPERCZAK TAKES STUNNING POLE AS CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS STRUGGLE
Ben Kasperczak took pole position in the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class ahead of Dominic Wheatley, as five of the top six in the standings failed to qualify inside the top ten.
CATCHING UP WITH: LYDIA WALMSLEY
CATCHING UP WITH: LYDIA WALMSLEYWe sat down with Cooper driver, Lydia Walmsley to find out about the past, present and future as she reaches her third season in the MINI CHALLENGE. How is 2020 working out for you so far? I think 2020 has been very strange for all of...
HIGH SPEED TRIPLE HEADER WELCOME CLASSIC COOPERS
One of the UK’s most prestigious single-make championships returns to the schedule as the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class revs up for their second round of the year at the UK’s fastest race circuit.
AUSTIN POWERS TO SECOND BRANDS VICTORY IN COOPER S
An untouchable Rob Austin took victory in the second Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S race, ahead of Sami Bowler and Steve Webb, picking up personal best results.
PERFECT PERFORMANCE FOR ROB AUSTIN, HOLDING OFF BUTCHER-LORD
It would be Rob Austin who took victory in the opening MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S race from Brands Hatch, after a race-long battle with Daniel Butcher-Lord
AUSTIN TAKES FIRST BLOOD IN COOPER S QUALIFYING AT BRANDS HATCH
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Cooper S Series saw Rob Austin take pole for the opening race, ahead of last years champion Daniel Butcher-Lord.
COOPER S LAUNCHES INTO NEW SEASON AT BRANDS HATCH
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Cooper S Series gets under way this weekend at Brands Hatch for their second season under the current branding.
STU LANE TO RETURN TO MINI CHALLENGE WITH AREEVE MOTORSPORT
After over a year away from racing, Stu Lane today has announced his return to the MINI CHALLENGE, this time completing in the highly popular MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Cooper Class. Stu has previously raced in the Cooper S and Open class and has had good success but a switch to the Cooper class was a last-minute decision following a spare seat becoming available with AReeve Motorsport.
RESURGENT BROWN SECURES DOMINANT KNOCKHILL WIN
LDR Performance Tuning’s Lewis Brown took his first win of the campaign in a dramatic final race at Knockhill. Rookie Isaac Smith and Graduate Dan Zelos rounded out the podium.
MAX BIRD DOUBLES UP AS LOCAL HERO DAVIDSON COLLECTS PODIUM
Max Bird was the star of Knockhill on Saturday, as he recorded back to back victories in the Ochil Hills to put himself in the JCW championship driving seat.
BIRD BREAKS AWAY TO BECOME FOURTH WINNER IN FOUR JCW RACES
After missing the first round, it would be Joe Tanner who took pole position at his local Knockhill circuit, during a JCW session in which the top four were split by less than 0.05 seconds.
LOCAL STAR JOE TANNER TAKES POLE ON JCW DEBUT
After missing the first round, it would be Joe Tanner who took pole position at his local Knockhill circuit, during a JCW session in which the top four were split by less than 0.05 seconds.
EXTRA-LARGE MINI GRID GREETS KNOCKHILL
The JCW’s are back for the UK’s most northernly TOCA meeting. Nestled in the shadow of the Ochil Hills, this weekend represents a first visit north of the border for the MINI CHALLENGE UK.
ROOKIES RULE THE ROOST AT WET OULTON PARK ENCOUNTER
A rookie 1-2-3 ended a slippery second race at Oulton Park. It would be Ben Kasperczak who took the honours ahead of Harry Nunn and points leader Leonardo Panayiotou.
WHEATLEY WINS SIDE-BY-SIDE BATTLE IN OPENING OULTON ENCOUNTER
It would be Dominic Wheatley who narrowly beat Lydia Walmsley during an intense opening Cooper race of the season, with polesitter Panayiotou coming home third.
PANAYIOTOU LEADS ROOKIE 1-2-3 IN LAST GASP COOPER QUALIFYING
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper class displayed a dramatic return to action during Oulton Park qualifying as Leonardo Panayiotou took a mixed weather pole position.
NEW SEASON, NEW CHALLENGES, BIGGER STAGE
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Cooper class is back for 2020. This time supporting the UK’s premier national motor racing package, the British Touring Car Championship, at one of MSV’s most beloved tracks, Oulton Park.
DAVE MARSHALL WINS INAUGURAL ESERIES
The final MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries event of the year held on the 11th July didn’t disappoint in terms of action, but who would win the £20,000 prize pool was as big a draw.
COATES CONCLUDES HISTORIC DONINGTON WEEKEND FROM ROOKIE SENSATION REID
Series newcomer and TOCA veteran Max Coates rounded out the MINI CHALLENGE JCW’s first TOCA weekend with victory in front of the ITV cameras. The Elite Motorsport driver who had started sixth, worked his way to the front, holding off a respectable challenge from rookie Kyle Reid and points leader Ant Whorton-Eales.
HARRISON SAILS TO FIRST JCW WIN OF THE YEAR
Nathan Harrison hit back after his race one disappointment to secure a race win at Donington Park. Dan Zelos and Lewis Brown completed the MINI CHALLENGE JCW podium. Race one winner Ant Whorton-Eales would fall back after damage in a race where incredibly all drivers finished.
ANT MAKES BIG IMPACT IN FIRST JCW RACE AT DONINGTON
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE return in all it’s glory at Donington Park, as former champion Ant Whorton-Eales lead home a front-running four of Nathan Harrison, Lewis Brown and Graduate class winner Dan Zelos, for the opening race win of the season. He heads into Sunday with 56 points and the title lead.
WHORTON-EALES EDGES HARRISON IN TIGHT JCW QUALIFYING
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE kicked off with a glimpse of what might be to come in the title battle as 2018 champion Ant Whorton-Eales secured pole position upon his return, ahead of former rival Nathan Harrison. His time of 1:14.340 was a tenth faster than anyone during the series first TOCA support qualifying session.
MINI CHALLENGE GEARS UP FOR TOCA DEBUT WITH JCW
The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE is back and better than ever, as the JCW class prepares for its eleventh season of competition. For the first time, MINI’s will now be a regular edition on the TOCA package, supporting the UK’s premier racing series, the British Touring Car Championship.
NEW NAMES SHINE AS MARSHALL EXTENDS ESERIES LEAD
A new name topped the Qualifying results at Croft Circuit in the MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries. Rob Butler, driver coach to Ryan Dignan in the real world series, was the man to break the record and become the first driver to claim the honours as a ‘real world’ class driver.
MARSHALL SCORES HATTRICK AT SNETTERTON
Dave Marshall was the man heading the timesheets as the MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries headed to Snetterton. Keen to increase his championship points lead the sim racer from County Durham took pole in both sessions and won the first three races.
BATTLES GALORE IN MINI ESERIES AT SILVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL
The MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries second event at Northamptonshire’s Silverstone International circuit saw both Dave Marshall and Jack McIntyre split the majority of poles and races wins. Other drivers to star included Luke Kidsley, Alex Toth-Jones, Tobin Leigh, Isaac Smith and Josh Hislop.
RYAN FAULCONBRIDGE RACING JOINS THE MINI CHALLENGE WITH EUROCELL
Ryan Faulconbridge Racing (RFR) will race into the 2020 MINI CHALLENGE with a new title partner and striking livery on his John Cooper Works MINI, after Ryan confirmed a major sponsorship deal with the UK’s market leading UPVC manufacturer, distributor and recycler, Eurocell.
MINI CHALLENGE UK 2020 COOPER AND JCW TROPHY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT
Today, the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper and JCW Trophy calendar has been announced, featuring six rounds with three weekends alongside the TOCA package and the remainder with MSVR.
JACK MCINTYRE STRIKES BACK AT SILVERSTONE ESERIES ROUND AS NEW FACES STAR
As the MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries entered it’s first of two events at the home of British Motorsport, Silverstone, it was Jack McIntyre who dethroned Dave Marshall of his 100% Qualifying record in the series so far. The margin a slender 0.002s.
MINI CHALLENGE UK 2020 JCW CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT
Following the postponement of the 2020 TOCA Race Meeting calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MINI CHALLENGE UK have undertaken extensive consultation with key stakeholders, especially entrants, regarding their preferences for the replacement calendar.
MARSHALL, HISLOP AND MCINTYRE SHARE THE WINS AT BRANDS HATCH INDY MINI CHALLENGE UK
Dave Marshall was the dominant figure again in the MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries but a number of top sim and real-world drivers were hot on his heals. As the action revs up for Silverstone this weekend, we take a look back on last weekend’s action-packed event.
MARSHALL LEADS THE WAY IN FIRST MINI CHALLENGE UK ESERIES ROUND
In total more than 13,000 people have watched the inaugural MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries which started at Donington Park last weekend. A hotly contested event saw Dave Marshall lead the standings after the opening round.
FULL GRID FOR INAUGURAL MINI CHALLENGE UK OFFICIAL ESERIES
The MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries will launch with a full capacity grid of 35 drivers on the 23rd May at the virtual version of Donington Park.
MINI CHALLENGE UK OFFICIAL ESERIES ANNOUNCE £20,000 IN PRIZES AND MSL MOTORSPORT CONSULTANCY PARTNERSHIP
The MINI CHALLENGE UK Official eSeries has today announced a prize pool for its inaugural Spring / Summer season in excess of £20,000 as well as MSL Motorsport Consultancy as it’s main prize sponsor. MSL Motorsport Consultancy have sponsored the top prize of a Virtual Reality Racing Club VRRC Sim Race Pro Simulator valued at £9,995. Prizes are as follows (Available to UK mainland only):
MINI CHALLENGE LAUNCHES OFFICIAL ESERIES WITH VRRC
The MINI CHALLENGE is to launch an Official eSeries in association with Virtual Reality Racing Club (VRRC). Using the same specification Gen 3 F56 MINI JCW race car used in the UK’s premier touring car support class, the eSeries will follow the same calendar as the proposed 2020 season and will start in May
COATES GEARS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE AHEAD
Max Coates headed to Croft Circuit last week to take the opportunity of a track day at his local circuit to unveil his 2020 livery to the media and sponsors alike.
ETHAN HAMMERTON JOINS JCW GRID WITH TEAM HARD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAMSPORT RACING
Ethan Hammerton announces that he is delighted to be re-joining Team HARD in partnership with JamSport Racing in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW, which replaces the Clio Cup in supporting the British Touring Car Championship for 2020.
KEIR MCCONOMY JOINS AREEVE MOTORSPORT FOR THIRD SEASON
Keir McConomy from Lichfield Staffordshire will be re-joining the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S class for his second season having progress really well in 2019 taking his maiden podium at Oulton Park.
NATHAN HARRISON RETURNS FOR TITLE TILT
Three-time MINI CHALLENGE JCW vice-champion Nathan Harrison will make a spectacular return to the premier feeder series for the British Touring Car Championship. He will re-join the EXCELR8 Motorsport team as he looks to secure the MINI JCW crown.
FAIRCLOUGH RETURNS TO MINI CHALLENGE TO TAKE ON THE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP
Fairclough made a spectacular arrival onto the scene in 2018 where he picked up five wins and numerous podiums on his way to the title in what was only his first year of racing. After sitting out last season, the Pembrokeshire-based driver originally from the midlands will make the leap up to the top class of MINI’s racing on the infamous TOCA package.
IRISH RACER BRENDAN FITZGERALD JOINS THE 2020 COOPER GRID WITH LDR MOTORSPORT.
IRISH RACER BRENDAN FITZGERALD JOINS THE 2020 COOPER GRID WITH LDR MOTORSPORTBrendan Fitzgerald from Dublin, Ireland has a great deal of racing experience. Having raced in Fiesta Zetecs from 2015 to 2017, he moved onto race in Fiesta ST's from 2017 to 2019. In this...
CALLUM NEWSHAM RETURNS TO JCWS FOR THIRD SEASON
20 year old Callum Newsham returns to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship for a third season this year.
The Father and Son team have a lot of racing experience between them. Dave retired from the British Touring Car Championship to focus on his son’s racing career and now in their third year in the MINI CHALLENGE, the pair hope for some excellent results.
LYDIA WALMSLEY RETURNS TO COOPERS FOR 2020
LYDIA WALMSLEY RETURNS TO COOPERS FOR 2020 Lydia Walmsley is to return to the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper class in 2020 for her third season in the championship. This will be Lydia’s fourth full season of racing cars having started in the Junior Saloon car championship at...
COOPER PRO CHAMPION ROBBIE DALGLEISH JOINS THE JCW WITH LAWRENCE DAVEY RACING
2019 was a spectacular year for Robbie Dalgleish, as the 25-year-old won the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Pro series as well as the Sunoco 240 Challenge, earning him a drive at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. As he steps into the new decade, Dalgleish is making the leap up to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW.
MAX BIRD JOINS ELITE FOR MINI CHALLENGE IN 2020
Max Bird will be returning to the Mini Challenge JCW championship in 2020 and joining the multi- championship winning Elite Motorsport where he will partner with Max Coates and Lewis Galer as part of as strong driver line up for Elite’s maiden championship year.
JOSH STANTON RETURNS TO EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT
JOSH STANTON RETURNS TO EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT21-year-old Josh Stanton will return to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW for a sophomore year after re-signing with EXCELR8 Motorsport for the 2020 season. A regular points scorer in 2019, the Cotswolds racer will have higher...
JASON LOCKWOOD TO MAKE MINI CHALLENGE JCW DEBUT WITH EXCELR8
Karting star Jason Lockwood will be making the step up to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW this year with the EXCELR8 Motorsport team. Lockwood, a race winner in the British Super 1 National karting series, will be hoping to hit the ground running this March.
ALEX NEVILL RETURNS TO THE COOPERS FOR 2020
ALEX NEVILL RETURNS TO THE COOPERS FOR 2020Graves Motorsport is delighted to announce that Alex Nevill will be joining us in 2020, Alex will be competing in the extremely competitive Mini Challenge Cooper Championship. Alex won the 2018 Cooper Am class before...
COATES JOINS THE MINI ELITE
Coates joins the MINI EliteNorth Yorkshire based racing driver Max Coates is set to join multi-championship winning team, Elite Motorsport, for both their maiden seasons in the MINI CHALLENGE. Coates has retained the support of Primex Plastics, RPC bpi PLASgran, JiC...
ARCHIE O’BRIEN RETURNS TO THE COOPER CLASS FOR 2020 WITH AREEVE MOTORSPORT
Archie raced with AReeve Motorsport in 2019 and scored multiple podiums and wins. The 16 year old from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk said …
TEENAGE CHAMPION MAKES MINI JCW MOVE FOR 2020
Reigning Ford Fiesta champion Isaac Smith has set his sights on the MINI CHALLENGE JCW title for 2020, after confirming his graduation to the series with EXCELR8 Motorsport.
CATCHING UP WITH: RONAN PEARSON
CATCHING UP WITH: RONAN PEARSON On a bitterly cold December day at Knockhill, a young rising star of Scottish Motorsport continued preparations for the 2020 season. Ronan Pearson will step into the limelight in 2020, entering the JCW MINI CHALLENGE. After triumphing...
JUNIOR RACING STAR PANAYIOTOU JOINS 2020 COOPER GRID
Leonardo Panayiotou is targeting a top-three finish in the 2020 MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Championship after confirming his graduation to senior car racing for 2020.
MINI CHALLENGE MAKES THE MOVE TO GOODYEAR TYRES FOR 2020
The MINI CHALLENGE JCW field will further strengthen its links to the British Touring Car Championship by following its switch to Goodyear tyres for the 2020 season.
2020 ENTRIES OPEN FOR THE COOPER, COOPER S AND JCW MINI CHALLENGE TROPHY
2020 season entries open today for the Cooper, Cooper S and the all-new JCW MINI CHALLENGE Trophy class with two Cooper rounds on the BTCC TOCA package.
WILLIAM NICOL’S RACING DRIVER, REID MAKES JCW MOVE FOR 2020 WITH EXCELR8
Rapid Scotsman Kyle Reid will step up to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW field for the 2020 season after agreeing a deal to join EXCELR8 Motorsport. Reid, 30, is no stranger to the MINI CHALLENGE, having dominated…
CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS IMPRESS IN PRIZE DUNLOP BTCC TESTS
MINI CHALLENGE champions both past and present impressed during their prize British Touring Car Championship tests at Snetterton, which were arranged courtesy of series tyre supplier, Dunlop.
ANT WHORTON-EALES RETURNS WITH JAMSPORT FOR 2020
Ant Whorton-Eales will make a return to the MINI Challenge for the 2020 season. The 25-year-old from Lichfield in Staffordshire will return to full-time competition next season as part of JamSport’s multi-car..
COOPER PRO DRIVER, ALEX NEVILL FEATURED IN PERFORMANCE MINI
Alex Nevill is featured in this month’s Performance MINI magazine from when the series visited Croft circuit and the weekend didn’t all go to plan for the Cooper pro class driver,
NEWNHAM CONFIRMED FOR FULL JCW ATTACK IN 2020
18-year old karting graduate William Newnham will contest his first full MINI CHALLENGE JCW campaign next season, after extending his deal with EXCELR8 Motorsport.
MINI CHALLENGE JCW NEARING SELL-OUT 2020 FIELD
The MINI CHALLENGE JCW championship is speeding towards a sell-out grid for 2020, after organisers confirmed that only a handful of the capacity 34 full-season entries remain open.
COOPER CLASSES RACE REPORTS FROM SNETTERTON 300
We headed to Snetterton for the final rounds of the season for the Cooper, Cooper Pro and Cooper S classes. It all came down to the last races to find out who the 2019 class winners were!
HARRISON DOES THE DOUBLE, BUT GORNALL TAKES JCW TITLE
No MINI CHALLENGE season in history has featured a finale quite like it. Nathan Harrison claimed his second race win of the weekend to give himself the best possible chance, but fell just short of James Gornall’s tally…
HARRISON HALVES THE GAP WITH HUGE SNETTERTON JCW WIN
Nathan Harrison arrived at Snetterton needing a big weekend to boost his championship bid, and got the perfect start with a big victory in the opening race to further close the gap to points leader James Gornall.
HARRISON SNEAKS AHEAD IN VITAL SNETTERTON QUALIFYING
Nathan Harrison scored a vital JCW pole at Snetterton, giving his title ambitions a shot in the arm by edging out championship leader James Gornall to secure top spot for the season finale.
TRIPLE THREAT JCW TITLE BATTLE ROLLS INTO SNETTERTON
This final round of this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW championship at Snetterton this weekend will be one of the tightest in the history of the series, with three drivers going all-out in an attempt to secure the crown.
PORTER BOOKS PLACE ON 2020 MINI CHALLENGE COOPER GRID
Teenage tin-top ace Josh Porter has confirmed his place on the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class grid for 2020, following an impressive maiden year of car racing this term.
CREDO TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE FOR 2020
The MINI CHALLENGE will continue its partnership with Credo Asset Finance into the 2020 season, as it makes a historic switch to the British Touring Car Championship support bill for the first time.
COOPER CLASSES HEAD TO SNETTERTON FOR SEASON FINALS
The Cooper classes return to Snetterton next weekend for the final races in the 2019 MINI CHALLENGE. The last 2 races in each class and still the classes are undecided. Exciting times.
BTCC TEST UP FOR GRABS FOR FASTEST MINI RACERS
The fastest MINI CHALLENGE racers will again be rewarded with a fully funded British Touring Car Championship test, courtesy of Dunlop and Motorbase Performance.
RACE REPORTS FROM THE COOPER CLASSES AT DONINGTON PARK
We returned once again to Donington Park, this time with the Cooper classes for their penultimate round of the 2019 season. It’s all getting very close as we approach the end of the season.
COOPER CLASSES HEAD TO DONINGTON PARK AS THE SEASON END APPROACHES.
As the Cooper drivers head to Donington for their Penultimate round of the season, the battle for the class winners is getting even closer.
SWR ANNOUNCES 2020 MINI CHALLENGE JCW ENTRY
Race-winning single-seater and touring car team Sean Walkinshaw Racing – SWR – will make its debut in the MINI CHALLENGE next season, fielding a two-car team in the JCW category.
ZELOS WINS AMID DRAMA FOR TITLE CHASER HARRISON IN DONINGTON FINALE
Dan Zelos grabbed his second win from four races as he came out on top of a chaotic second Donington Park outing, as Nathan Harrison suffered a dose of bad luck…
GORNALL MAKES IT FIVE WITH FIRST DONINGTON JCW VICTORY
James Gornall took his win tally to five for the season after surviving race-long pressure to take a narrow victory in the first outing of the penultimate weekend of the campaign at Donington Park.
GORNALL GRABS POLE AFTER QUICK FIX AT DONINGTON
James Gornall celebrated his third MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position of the season, despite having to overcome a mechanical issue that limited him to just half of the session.
BROWN AIMING HIGH ACROSS FINAL JCW RACES OF 2019
Lewis Brown is determined to end his second MINI CHALLENGE JCW campaign on a high, and has his eyes set on a personal best result at our second visit to Donington Park this weekend.
COOPER CLASSES ROUND 5 AT CADWELL PARK SHOWED GREAT RACING
The Cooper classes visited Cadwell park this weekend for their fifth round of the season. The weekend saw some great racing battles and the tight circuit didn’t disappoint.
COOPER CLASSES RACE HEAD TO CADWELL PARK FOR ROUND 5 OF THE SEASON
The Cooper classes head to Cadwell park this weekend. It’s now getting close in the points standings to make predictions to who might win each class.
COOPER CLASSES RACE REPORT FROM CROFT CIRCUIT
The Cooper classes headed north for what was for most, this was their first time at Croft. An amazing circuit located just outside Darlington. The sun was shining too for the whole weekend.
THE COOPER CLASSES HEAD TO CROFT CIRCUIT FOR THEIR FORTH ROUND OF THE SEASON
We head to Croft circuit as we approach the halfway point of the 2019 MINI CHALLENGE we can predict who is in it to win it. The last outing was at Brands Hatch.
GORNALL LUCKS INTO WIN NUMBER FOUR AT BRANDS HATCH
James Gornall became the first four-time winner of this year’s JCW championship after being handed a surprise lead when the top two both hit trouble late in the second outing at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit.
ZELOS GRABS BREAKTHROUGH JCW WIN AT BRANDS HATCH
Dan Zelos celebrated his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW race victory in the first outing around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit, even if he had to rely on a dose of good fortune to help him get the result over the line.
ZELOS PIPS CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS TO BRANDS HATCH POLE
Dan Zelos secured his third MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position of the season after coming out on top of a tight session around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit this morning.
ZELOS AIMING FOR BRANDS HATCH BREAKTHROUGH
Dan Zelos is certain that his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW race win isn’t far away, and heads into this weekend’s two races around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit aiming to make the breakthrough.
COOPER S RACE REPORTS FROM THE 2019 BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
Read what happened over the weekend of the 2019 Brands Hatch MINI festival for the Cooper S classes as they competed in three races during the event.
COOPER & COOPER PRO RACE REPORTS FROM BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
Catch up on the race reports from the three races of the Cooper and Cooper Pro classes at the 2019 Brands Hatch MINI festival
PALMER GRABS FINAL FESTIVAL WIN AS HARRISON EXTENDS POINTS LEAD
After two battling performances across the Brands Hatch MINI Festival weekend already, Ben Palmer finally hit top spot in the finale…
HARRISON BATTLES BACK IN RACE TWO AT BRANDS HATCH
After losing out to James Gornall in Saturday’s opening MINI CHALLENGE JCW event, Nathan Harrison fought back to take a controlled victory in the second race of the Brands Hatch MINI Festival…
GORNALL MAKES IT THREE TO RETAKE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
James Gornall celebrated his third victory of this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW campaign after withstanding immense pressure during an epic opening race of the Brands Hatch MINI Festival weekend.
ZELOS TAKES TOP SPOT AT BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
Dan Zelos secured his second MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position of the season after a well-timed tyre switch during an unpredictable qualifying session at Brands Hatch on Saturday morning.
COOPER CLASSES PREPARE FOR THE BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
This year is a special year for the MINI, with the 60th year Birthday celebrations being held all over the country at various times of the year.
HARRISON BACK ON FORM AHEAD OF BIGGEST JCW WEEKEND.
New MINI CHALLENGE JCW points leader Nathan Harrison says some vital car tweaks have revitalised his title challenge just in time for the most crucial event of the season at Brands Hatch this weekend.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN PERFORMANCE MINI
MINI CHALLENGE features in this month’s Performance MINI magazine as the Cooper Classes return for 2019, and this issue we’ve got reports from the opening rounds at Snetterton
CATCHING UP WITH: RICHARD NEWMAN
As we reach mid-season in the 2019 JCW Championship, we catch up with rising tin-top star Richard Newman, as he rapidly gains a reputation as a hard-charger in this year’s JCW season.
NEW LEADER HARRISON DOES THE DOUBLE AT DONINGTON
Nathan Harrison snatched the MINI CHALLENGE JCW points lead courtesy of a dominant double victory over the Donington Park weekend, completed with a thrilling drive through the pack in race two.
HARRISON STAYS COOL FOR VICTORY IN DONINGTON OPENER
Nathan Harrison demonstrated a cool head under pressure to secure his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW win of the season after holding off race-long pressure from championship leader James Gornall.
HARRISON BATTLES TO DONINGTON PARK JCW POLE
Nathan Harrison secured his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position of the season in a tight Saturday session at Donington Park, during which he edged out championship leader James Gornall to the top spot.
‘WILDCARD’ PALMER KEEN TO KEEP MOMENTUM AT DONINGTON
Tin-top champion Ben Palmer hopes that his double victory during the last MINI CHALLENGE JCW round at Silverstone will act as a warning shot to his title rivals ahead of the upcoming races at Donington
OULTON PARK COOPER CLASSES RACE REPORT
An early start after overnight rain. The track was dry and 28 cars were ready to pedal to the metal. With the S class, Pro and Cooper Class cars all racing together, just like the “Old Days”.
COOPER CLASS ROUND 2 AT OULTON PARK
After the great fun at Snetterton, the MINI CHALLENGE settles down for the season knowing who to look out for. In the Pro class, Toby Goodman showed a great turn of speed as did Martin Poole and Robbie Dalgleish.
DOUBLE FOR PALMER, TROUBLE FOR GORNALL
Ben Palmer completed a dream weekend at Silverstone by taking a second victory in the final race of the weekend, as the championship chase was blown wide open by a first retirement of the year…
PALMER BAGS MAIDEN WIN IN THRILLING SILVERSTONE RACE
Ben Palmer became the fourth different winner of this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW season when he emerged ahead of a thrilling three-car fight during the opening race at Silverstone.
GORNALL ON TOP IN JCW QUALIFYING AT SILVERSTONE
James Gornall continued his flying start to this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW season by grabbing his second pole position of the year in a tight session at Silverstone GP Circuit.
DAVIDSON KEEN TO IMPRESS AS JCWS HEAD TO SILVERSTONE
Scottish teenager Jack Davidson is hoping to build a name for himself across the remainder of this year’s JCW campaign, and he’ll certainly do that if he can maintain his strong start to the season…
DAVIDSON ON TOP IN TRICKY SECOND SNETTERTON RACE
Scotsman Jack Davidson celebrated his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship victory in a tough final outing at Snetterton, made tricky by light rain falling towards the end.
GORNALL EXTENDS HIS LEAD WITH VICTORY AT SNETTERTON
James Gornall secured his second MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory of the season in the first outing at Snetterton to extend his strong start to the campaign and further edge clear in the points.
POINTS LEADER GORNALL GRABS SNETTERTON POLE
MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship leader James Gornall continued his strong start to the season by snatching an impressive pole position for round two at Snetterton.
COOPER SNETTERTON WEEKEND RACE REPORTS
Read the race reports from the first round of the Cooper, Cooper Pro and Cooper S Classes as they headed to Snetterton in what would be an action-packed weekend of racing.
JCW SNETTERTON PREVIEW
Early points leader James Gornall says he’s figured out the “five or six” different drivers he’s expecting to be going head-to-head with in the battle for this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW championship,
COOPER, PRO & S SNETTERTON PREVIEW
Uniquely this year’s 2019 MINI CHALLENGE sees the start of the Cooper, Pro and S class championships at Snetterton on the 300 circuit and finishes the year on the same circuit.
MAYBIN MAKES BREAKTHROUGH AT OULTON
Jac Maybin proved his championship potential with a stunning display of overtaking to score his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory in the second outing at Oulton Park.
GORNALL GRABS MAIDEN VICTORY IN JCW OPENER
James Gornall claimed his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory in the season opener at Oulton Park after emerging on top of a thrilling three-car battle for the lead in the closing stages.
NEWCOMER ZELOS SNATCHES OULTON PARK POLE
Dan Zelos made an instant impact on his full MINI CHALLENGE JCW debut, scorching to pole position under the sweltering sun during the first day of the season at Oulton Park.
CAPACITY GRID EXPECTED FOR EASTER MINI CHALLENGE JCW OPENER
The MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship has attracted a bumper entry for the 2019 season, with registrations surpassing 30 ahead of the first round of the campaign.
NATHAN HARRISON RETURNS TO THE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP SET ON THE TITLE
Tin-top star Nathan Harrison is hoping it will be third time lucky this year as he returns to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship with his eyes firmly set on the title.
TIN-TOP ACE KENAN DOLE TO SWITCH TO JCW CHAMPIONSHIP WITH TEAM JAMSPORT
Tin-top ace Kenan Dole will switch to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year with reigning champion team JamSport.
ZELOS ‘UP FOR THE FIGHT’ AS HE MAKES SWITCH TO MINI CHALLENGE
Dan Zelos will make the full-time move to the MINI CHALLENGE in 2019, as the talented young Norfolk racer continues to inch ever-closer to a coveted seat in BTCC.
RICHARD NEWMAN GRADUATES FROM COOPER TO JCW FOR 2019
Cooper Pro Class star and double karting champion Richard Newman will step up to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year after joining EXCELR8 Motorsport’s multi-car line-up.
REIGNING COOPER S CHAMPION WILL FAIRCLOUGH STEPS UP TO JCWs WITH MINI UK VIP
Will Fairclough doesn’t believe his lack of racing experience will be any sort of barrier to success this year as he steps up to the JCWs with the MINI UK VIP Team.
BIRD TAKES UP THE MINI CHALLENGE FOR 2019
Following on from 2 successful years in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, Max Bird, an 18 year old college student from Chichester will be racing in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW class for 2019.
CATCHING UP WITH: TOBY GOODMAN
We caught up with Toby Goodman, following his first season in his Mini Cooper Pro Class.
LUKE READE RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON IN JCW WITH EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT
Luke Reade is hoping that added consistency and an upswing in luck can help his efforts toward this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship…
TOBY GOODMAN RETURNS TO COOPER PRO FOR 2019 WITH SIGHTS ON THE TITLE
Toby Goodman has set his sights on landing this year’s MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Pro title after confirming his return to the category with EXCELR8 Motorsport.
JOSH STANTON PLANS TO USE HIS MAIDEN SEASON IN THE JCWs TOWARDS THE 2020 TITLE
Karting graduate Josh Stanton plans to use his maiden season in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year as building blocks toward a title challenge in 2020.
RORY CUFF RETURNS TO JCW CHAMPIONSHIP WITH MINI UK FOR 2019
Rory Cuff is aiming high in this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship after confirming his return to the series this season.
MINI CHALLENGE OFFERS BIG DISCOUNTS AHEAD OF 2020 BTCC SWITCH
A raft of financial incentives have been announced for MINI CHALLENGE competitors in the wake of huge interest in the championship…
BEN PALMER JOINS MINI CHALLENGE WITH TEAM-HARD
Double Renault Clio Cup champion Ben Palmer will join the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship full-time for 2019 to spearhead an attack from touring car squad Team HARD.
MINI CHALLENGE JOINS THE BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2020
The MINI CHALLENGE will form an integral part of Britain’s biggest race weekends when it joins the British Touring Car Championship support bill full-time from 2020…
CALLUM NEWSHAM RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON IN JCW CHAMPIONSHIP
Callum Newsham, son of British Touring Car Championship regular Dave Newsham is returning to the MINI CHALLENGE for a second year.
JOSH PORTER JOINS COOPER CLASS FOR 2019 WITH EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT
A second generation of the Porter family will take on the MINI CHALLENGE when teenager Josh Porter joins the Cooper Am Championship grid for 2019.
JACOB ANDREWS STEPS UP TO JCW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2019 WITH EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT
Australian racer Jacob Andrews will return to the UK for a second season of competition when he graduates to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship for 2019.
CATCHING UP WITH: SAMI BOWLER
Meet Sami, renown for her very charming character in the paddock contrasting against her ferocious raw ability on track has instantly cemented Sami as a huge hit amongst fans and fellow competitors.
FORMER BRITISH GT CHAMPION, JAMES GORNALL WILL BE JOINING THE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP
Gornall has been racing cars since 2003 and has enjoyed much success in everything he’s raced but the MINI CHALLENGE is his first move to front wheel drive racing.
CALUM KING RETURNS TO JCW WITH JAMSPORT, CONFIDENT FOR A GREAT SEASON AHEAD
Calum King will again return to the JCW Championship in 2019 with 2018 season winning team, Jamsport, confident for some great results.
CATCHING UP WITH: ROBBIE DALGLEISH
Robbie Dalgleish has had an impressive first season in the Cooper Pro Class. He’s finished every race this year with the worst position being 4th and remained consistent throughout the year…
MATT WILSON WILL MAKE THE SWITCH ACROSS TO JCW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2019
Volkswagen Racing Cup frontrunner Matt Wilson will make the switch across to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship for 2019 with new team JWB Motorsport.
ROB AUSTIN RETURNS TO COOPER S WITH AREEVE MOTORSPORT FOR 2019
Rob Austin to rejoin AReeve Motorsport for the 2019 Mini Challenge Cooper S Championship.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN PERFORMANCE MINI
MINI CHALLENGE is featured January’s issue of Performance MINI magazine. This months issue covers the JCWs at Donington and Coopers at Rockingham.
RISING TIN-TOP STAR JAC MAYBIN IS TARGETING THE 2019 JCW TITLE
Maybin, 17, has re-signed with the EXCELR8 Motorsport team to again handle a 265bhp JCW for the full 2019 campaign.
CATCHING UP WITH: WILL FAIRCLOUGH
When Will Fairclough began his racing career in 2018 in the MINI CHALLENGE he couldn’t have possibly expected the results and success that would transpire over the course of the season.
CATCHING UP WITH: JONO DAVIS
We look back at an up and down season for Jono Davis, beginning with an engine failure at Donington but ending with five wins in a row by the end of the season with a bonus of two guest rounds in the JCW Class.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN COOPER WORLD
MINI CHALLENGE is featured November’s issue of Cooper World magazine. This months issue covers the JCWs at Donington and Coopers at Rockingham.
LEWIS GALER TO JOIN THE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FIRST SEASON IN CAR RACING
Promising teenager Lewis Galer is the first driver to sign up for the 2019 MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship, for what will be his maiden season of car racing.
CATCHING UP WITH: GARY PAPWORTH
Gary Papworth had a great season in the Cooper Am class this year, being consistently in the top three cars at each round and scoring valuable points to come third in the Class overall.
JCW CHAMPIONSHIP STARS TAKE PART IN PRIZE BTCC TEST DAY
JCW Championship stars Ant Whorton-Eales and Nathan Harrison shone on their prize test outings at the wheel of a Motorbase Performance British Touring Car.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN COOPER WORLD
Read this month’s Cooper World magazine which features the action from Brands Hatch MINI Festival with the JCWs and Coopers.
ROCKINGHAM COOPER S WEEKEND REPORT
Read about the weekend’s racing by the Cooper S class and who would take the Class win for the season as we visited Rockingham for the last time.
ROCKINGHAM COOPER AM/PRO WEEKEND REPORT
The final round of the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Am and Pro classes and we determine the class winners from Rockingham.
COOPER PRO CLASS CHAMPION, KYLE REID ALSO WINS SUNOCO 240 CHALLENGE
Kyle Reid will race at Daytona International Speedway after winning prestigious the Sunoco 240 Challenge.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN PERFORMANCE MINI
Featured in Performance MINI, read the race reports from Oulton Park and Brands Hatch for the Cooper Classes and the JCW class.
ROCKINGHAM COOPER PREVIEW
The final deciding round of the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper classes is around the corner and it’s also the last time we ever race at Rockingham Motor Speedway.
DONINGTON JCW RACE 2 REPORT
Nathan Harrison brought new champion Ant Whorton-Eales’ winning run to a finish by fighting to victory in the final race of the season at Donington Park…
DONINGTON JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Ant Whorton-Eales secured this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship title with another dominant drive in the first race of the weekend at Donington Park…
DONINGTON JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
JCW debutant Ben Palmer shocked the series regulars by scoring pole position during a tricky final qualifying session of the season at Donington Park.
DONINGTON JCW PREVIEW
Ant Whorton-Eales has pledged not to back off in his quest to seal the JCW Championship title, despite his rivals admitting they need a miracle to deny him…
CADWELL PARK COOPER S RACE REPORTS
Early Saturday morning, after 6 sessions of testing on Friday, meant all were raring to go. Some had a bit of damage and had their cars and engines patched up.
CADWELL PARK COOPER PRO/AM RACE REPORTS
The Excelr8 guys had been hard at all night fixing up a number of cars that were damaged in testing. 6 half hour sessions certainly excited some more than others.
CADWELL PARK COOPER PREVIEW
With just 5 races to go in this year’s MINI CHALLENGE, it could all be decided this weekend at the East Coast’s answer to the Nűrbugring.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN COOPER WORLD
Featured in Cooper World this month, read the race reports from the Oulton Park MINI Festival including all classes of the MINI CHALLENGE.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST WEEKEND TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Brands Hatch for the seventh round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST COOPER S WEEKEND REPORT
Read how the Cooper S class got on at the Brands Hatch MINI Festival. Some exciting racing over the weekend with changable weather and a few car troubles along the way.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST COOPER PRO/AM REPORT
Catch up on the races of the Cooper Am/Pro classes at Brands MINI Festival. Three action-packed races with some exciting racing.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST JCW RACE 3 REPORT
Ant Whorton-Eales completed a perfect hat-trick of JCW victories during the Brands Hatch MINI Fest, but the race for the title will go down to the final event of the year.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST JCW RACE 2 REPORT
Ant Whorton-Eales is on the verge of securing this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship title after scoring his second victory of the Brands Hatch…
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Jordan Collard was deemed to have overshot his grid spot when the field formed up after the green flag lap, an error that was brought to light some hours after the race…
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Jordan Collard returned to form in qualifying for the Brands Hatch MINI Festival, snatching pole in an extremely tight session.
BRANDS HATCH MINI FEST PREVIEW
Lewis Brown wants to continue his forward momentum at Brands Hatch in the hope that it can pave the way for a tilt at the MINI CHALLENGE JCW title next season.
BRANDS HATCH DTM WEEKEND TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Brands Hatch for the sixth round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
BRANDS HATCH DTM JCW RACE 2 REPORT
With just five races remaining, Ant Whorton-Eales tightened his grip on this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship trophy after doubling up in front…
BRANDS HATCH DTM JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Ant Whorton-Eales extended his advantage at the head of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship after taking a controlled victory in the first race of the DTM weekend…
BRANDS HATCH DTM JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
David Robinson celebrated his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position after dominating a tricky qualifying session on the Saturday that the DTM returned…
BRANDS HATCH JCW PREVIEW
Multiple car racing champion David Robinson is hoping that his current run good form can elevate him into the top four in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW points this weekend
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN PERFORMANCE MINI
Featured in Performance MINI, read the race reports from Snetterton and Silverstone for the Cooper Classes and the JCW class.
OULTON PARK TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Oulton for the fifth round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
ANT WHORTON-EALES WILL MAKE ONE-OFF RETURN TO BTCC
Whorton-Eales will rejoin the AmD Tuning.com team to handle one of its MG6 machines for this weekend’s round in Norfolk…
OULTON PARK COOPER S RACE REPORTS
No surprises, with Will Fairclough having both of his quickest laps being the top 2 quickest. Rob Austin, trying like mad to put in a good time managed P2 on his last lap.
OULTON PARK COOPER PRO/AM RACE REPORTS
The sun was shining and 16 MINI Coopers were all set to go. Back from a break with Eurotech/Wix was Martin Poole. Determined to show Kyle Reid he is no walk over.
OULTON PARK JCW RACE 2 REPORT
Despite leading the championship from the first round, it had been a long wait for a victory for Ant Whorton-Eales before the second JCW race at Oulton Park.
OULTON PARK JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Rob Smith celebrated his second successive MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory after successfully converting his pole position into a narrow victory in race one at Oulton…
OULTON PARK JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Rob Smith left it late to snatch pole position in a challenging qualifying session at Oulton Park, which kick-started the annual northern edition of the MINI Festival.
OUTLON PARK COOPER PREVIEW
The time is almost upon the MINI Challenge, for the eagerly anticipated pilgrimage to the Oulton Park MINI festival, one of the highlights of their racing calendar.
OULTON PARK JCW PREVIEW
Rising star Jordan Collard is confident that this weekend’s second visit to Oulton Park will help to “separate the men from the boys” in the fight for the JCW title.
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN COOPER WORLD
Featured in Cooper World Magazine, read the race reports from Snetterton from both the JCW and Cooper rounds during the two weekends in May.
SILVERSTONE COOPER S REPORT
Jono Davis was flying with his rebuilt gearbox and clutch. A great pole lap of 1:07.257, Rob Austin was in P2 with Alan Lee in P3. Andy Montgomery stayed in touch…
SILVERSTONE COOPER AM/PRO REPORT
A nice bright start on the National circuit. A short circuit passed the National pits into Copse, sharp right turn at Maggotts, flat out down the Wellington Straight…
SILVERSTONE TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Silverstone for the fourth round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
SILVERSTONE COOPER PREVIEW
A very strong grid at Snetterton last time out saw some very close racing. Kyle Reid in the Pro class continued his dominance in the class with 3 wins out of 3 races…
SILVERSTONE JCW RACE TWO REPORT
Rob Smith claimed his first victory of the season in the second outing at Silverstone, holding off Ant Whorton-Eales in what was essentially a single-lap shootout.
SILVERSTONE JCW RACE ONE REPORT
Jordan Collard battled to his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory in a thrilling first race at Silverstone, but had to fight off a four-car train to secure the laurels.
SILVERSTONE JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Jordan Collard continued his quest to be labelled this year’s king of qualifying by storming to another pole position at Silverstone this afternoon.
DAVE NEWSHAM JOINS JCWS AT SILVERSTONE
Dave Newsham will make his JCW debut at Silverstone this weekend, marking his first competitive outing since leaving the British Touring Car Championship.
SILVERSTONE JCW PREVIEW
Car racing rookie Jac Maybin feels his maiden MINI CHALLENGE JCW victory isn’t far away after his stunning performance during the last round at Snetterton.
SNETTERTON TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Snetterton for the third round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
SNETTERTON JCW RACE 2 REPORT
David Robinson claimed his maiden MINI CHALLENGE victory by edging out Jac Maybin in an absolute thriller of a second race at Snetterton.
SNETTERTON JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Having enjoyed a perfect start to the season so far, Ant Whorton-Eales suffered the disappointment of retirement in the first outing at Snetterton
SNETTERTON JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Jordan Collard was on record time as he secured his second pole position of the season with a blistering lap at Snetterton.
SNETTERTON JCW PREVIEW
Luke Reade believes that he can stay firmly in the fight for this year’s JCW Championship if he can continue his run of early season consistency.
SAM WELLER STEPS UP TO JCW CLASS
Cooper Class star Sam Weller will make the step up to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship in time for the next round at Snetterton.
SNETTERTON COOPER S REPORT
With lots of testing carried out by some of the teams and drivers on the preceding Thursday and Friday, expectations were high. Stu Lane was continuing his run…
SNETTERTON COOPER AM/PRO REPORT
20 cars all fired up ready for qualifying. Although the circuit is 3 miles long drivers need to get clean air or a tow from the car in front to put in a good time….
SNETTERTON COOPER CLASSES PREVIEW
The second round of the Cooper Am, Pro and S Classes is approaching and we’re in store for some more action-packed racing as we head to Snetterton.
ROCKINGHAM TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Rockingham for the second round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
WHORTON-EALES HITS THE HAT-TRICK
Ant Whorton-Eales couldn’t have hoped for a better start to this year’s JCW Championship, having racked up his third win on the bounce in second race at Rockingham.
ANT MAKES IT TWO FROM TWO
Ant Whorton-Eales fired an ominous warning shot about his intentions for this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship title by taking a dominant victory….
ANT WHORTON-EALES SECURED HIS FIRST JCW POLE
Ant Whorton-Eales secured his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW pole position of the season in a tricky session at Rockingham on Saturday.
LOUIS DOYLE JOINS JCW AFTER SWITCH FROM CLIO JUNIORS.
Teenager Louis Doyle is planning a two-year stint in the JCW Championship this year after confirming his switch from the Renault Clio Junior Series.
FORMER BRITISH GT CHAMPION JOINS THE GRID THIS WEEKEND
Former British GT champion James Gornall will joins the MINI CHALLENGE JCW grid at Rockingham as he evaluates a full-time switch into the category.
ROCKINGHAM PREVIEW
Nathan Harrison is hoping to put a troubled first round at Oulton Park behind him this weekend by picking up where he left off at Rockingham in 2016.
CATCHING UP WITH: TOBY GOODMAN
We interviewed Toby Goodman, who is new to the MINI CHALLENGE this season. We sat down with him at the first round at Donington to find out about his background and thoughts on the season ahead.
CATCHING UP WITH: ELSPETH RODGERS
We sat down with Elspeth Rodgers as she begins her first season in the MINI CHALLENGE to find out more about her and her thoughts on the season ahead.
DONINGTON PARK COOPER CLASS RACE REPORT
Find out about all the action at the first weekend for the Cooper Am/Pro & Cooper S classes as they headed to Donington Park.
TEAM DYNAMICS RETURN TO THE MINI JCW CHALLENGE
GS Yuasa Battery Sales UK Ltd are pleased to announce that their GS battery brand will sponsor Henry and Will Neal in the JCW Championship.
CHARLIE COOPER JOINS COOPER PRO CHAMPIONSHIP
The third generation of the legendary Cooper tuning family will make his racing debut as Charlie Cooper confirms to join the Cooper Pro Championship.
DONINGTON PARK PREVIEW
Read the web preview about the Cooper Am, Cooper Pro and Cooper S Classes as they head to Donington for the first round of the Cooper championships.
OULTON PARK TV COVERAGE TIMES
Find out about when the MINI CHALLENGE coverage from Outlon park for the first round of the JCW championship will be aired on Channel 4 and Motors TV.
OULTON PARK RACE ONE REPORT [UPDATED]
A post-race penalty to Nathan Harrison handed debutant Ant Whorton-Eales victory in the opening round of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship at Oulton Park.
OULTON PARK QUALIFYING REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE newcomer Jordan Collard will start Monday’s first JCW race at Oulton Park from pole position after taking a stunning maiden pole position.
OULTON PARK PREVIEW
Rob Smith has designs on fighting for this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship, and hopes to bag a strong start to the season at Oulton Park this Easter weekend.
JCW CHAMPION TO RECEIVE SEASON IN SUPER TAIKYU SERIES
This year’s JCW champion will be rewarded with a fully funded season in the Japanese Super Taikyu series worth in excess of £100,000.
CREDO MOTORSPORT FINANCE PARTNER WITH MINI CHALLENGE FOR 2018
MINI CHALLENGE are delighted to announce a new partnership with Credo Motorsport Finance this season.
JCW RACE WINNER ROB SMITH BACK FOR TITLE BID IN 2018
Multiple MINI Challenge JCW race winner Rob Smith has officially confirmed his return to the hugely popular one-make championship for the 2018 season with just one goal in mind – winning the title.
CHARLIE BUTLER-HENDERSON TARGETS SECOND MINI CHALLENGE JCW TITLE
Charlie Butler-Henderson is targeting a second Mini Challenge JCW title this year after confirming his return to the championship.
ANT WHORTON-EALES RETURNS TO THE MINI CHALLENGE
Former Cooper Class champion Ant Whorton-Eales will make a return to the MINI CHALLENGE this season, and has his eyes firmly set on a maiden JCW crown.
LEWIS BROWN MAKES DEBUT IN JCW CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR
Sportscar racing champion Lewis Brown will make his debut in this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship after joining the AReeve Motorsport team. Brown joins the CHALLENGE having won last season’s Ginetta GT5…
JONO DAVIS RETURNS TO COOPER S WITH EXCELR8 MOTORSPORT
Jono Davis is targeting the MINI CHALLENGE COOPER S Class crown this year, in what will be his second full season in the category. Davis, 22, will join Excelr8 Motorsport to run an R53-spec Cooper S….
LUKE READE WILL RETURN TO THE MINI CHALLENGE JCW CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SEASON
Luke Reade will return to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this season, as he hunts for his breakthrough podium finish in the series.
SCORPION EXTEND THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH MINI CHALLENGE FOR 2018
MINI CHALLENGE are delighted to announce an extension to our partnership with Scorpion as joint Championship lead partners.
STU LANE RETURNS TO COOPER S FOR 2018 WITH AREEVE MOTORSPORT
Stu Lane returns to the MINI CHALLENGE this season in the Cooper S class with AReeve Motorsport. Last year Lane competed in one round at Silverstone…
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN APRIL ’18 MODERN MINI MAGAZINE
This month’s Modern Mini magazine features a 2018 preview of MINI CHALLENGE. The magazine is out now and available in most stores.
SCOTTISH MINI COOPER CUP STAR JOE TANNER WILL SWITCH JCW WITH JAMSPORT RACING
Scottish MINI Cooper Cup star Joe Tanner will switch to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year as part of a new programme from JamSport Racing.
MINI CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT DTM RETURN TO BRANDS HATCH
The MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship will support the DTM’s return to Brands Hatch this year after confirming a change to the provisional calendar. The 265bhp JCWs will now compete in two races to support…
JORDAN COLLARD TO JOIN JCW FOR 2018
Jordan Collard will be joining the MINI CHALLENGE for 2018 and will be competing for the MINI Challenge Rookie cup which caters to up and coming drivers who are new to the series.
RISING TIN-TOP STAR NATHAN HARRISON WILL RETURN TO JCW
Rising tin-top star Nathan Harrison will return to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this season, and he’s in search of the title that he narrowly missed in 2016. Harrison, 21, has signed with Excelr8 Motorsport…
CATCHING UP WITH: CALUM KING
Scotsman Callum King will switch to Eurotech Racing for his third season in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Class this year. King has gradually gained in pace across his first two JCW campaigns, and last year scored finishes inside the top 10 despite a difficult season with mechanical issues and being forced to skip rounds due to unforeseen circumstan
CATCHING UP WITH: ANDY MONTGOMERY
Andy – an IT Project Manager from Yorkshire – is continuing into his second season in the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S class with the Mad4MINI Motorsport team this year. Last season was successful, finishing third in class with his R53 MINI.
MULTIPLE RACING CHAMPION DAVID ROBINSON JOINS JCW
Multiple racing champion David Robinson will aim to add this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW honours to his career haul after signing with Excelr8 Motorsport. Robinson, 29, will tackle the full JCW season with Excelr8…
TAELOR SHAND JOINS MINI CHALLENGE IN THE JCW CLASS
Taelor Shand joins Excelr8 Motorsport for her first full season racing in the MINI CHALLENGE in the JCW class. Taelor is no stranger to racing in Mini’s however, Taelor’s first experience of circuit racing was in 2015…
ETHAN PITT TO RETURN TO COOPER CLASS FOR 2018
Car racing rookie Ethan Pitt will return to the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Championship for his first full season of racing this year. Pitt will campaign with experienced squad Sussex Road and Race.
CALLUM NEWSHAM, SON OF BTCC REGULAR DAVE NEWSHAM JOINS JCW FOR 2018
The MINI CHALLENGE will further strengthen its link to the BTCC when Callum Newsham joins JCW this year, being run by his father – BTCC regular Dave Newsham.
16-YEAR OLD JAC MAYBIN TO COMPETE IN JCW.
Jac will compete in the premier class within the MINI CHALLENGE Series boasting grids of over 30 drivers. With identical 2 litre turbo 265bhp JCW cars the MINI CHALLENGE…
CATCHING UP WITH: GEORGE SUTTON
George Sutton is returning to MINI CHALLENGE in 2018 after a successful first season in the JCW Class, finishing 8th in the championship amongst some very experienced and talented drivers.
CATCHING UP WITH: ANDY GODFREY
We caught up with Cooper Am driver, Andy Godfrey as he gives us his thoughts on the 2017 season and the MINI CHALLENGE.
FORMER CLIO CUP DRIVER, OLLIE PIDGLEY JOINS JCW CLASS FOR 2018
Former Renault Clio Cup driver Ollie Pidgley will switch to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship next season after agreeing a deal with Excelr8 Motorsport.
JCW 2017 SEASON REVIEW
We look back at the 2017 season to see how Brett Smith won the 2017 JCW Championship. Smith’s season began strongly, if not sensationally. A podium at Oulton Park was followed by a disappointing weekend at Rockingham.
2018 SEASON PROVISIONAL CALENDAR RELEASED
Next year’s MINI CHALLENGE championships will be fought over 35 races across 15 weekends as the calendars for both the top-flight JCW category and hotly contested Cooper & Open series have been revealed.
DUNLOP PROVIDE MINI CHALLENGE WINNERS BTCC TEST
MINI CHALLENGE drivers, Matt Hammond (Cooper Pro Class Champion) and Reece Barr (JCW Class Vice-Champion) joined Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo at Snetterton…
KARTING CHAMPION TOBY GOODMAN TO JOIN COOPER PROS
Karting champion Toby Goodman will join the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Pro Series for his first season of car racing next year after signing with top team Excelr8 Motorsport.
SNETTERTON COOPER CLASS REPORT
A very early start to decide the outcome of the Pro and Am classes of the MINI CHALLENGE. Expectations were high and the pressure was on to bring home enough points to claim the class wins in both classes.
SNETTERTON OPEN CLASS REPORT
10 cars lined up for qualifying. Great to have Jono Davis back with his super-fast R53 (not a typo it is an R53). Neal Clark joined us with his Norfolk cars R53 too, So plenty of whining! (Supercharger noise).
JCW RACE 2 REPORT FROM DONINGTON
Brett Smith capped his year in perfect fashion by securing a dominant double at Donington, scorching up the order on the reversed grid. Smith drew number four from the hat so began the final race…
JCW RACE 1 REPORT FROM DONINGTON
Brett Smith overcame his starting fears to take a controlled victory in the penultimate race of the season. Having already secured the JCW crown during the last outing at Oulton Park…
JCW DONINGTON QUALIFYING REPORT
New MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion Brett Smith again showed his class in qualifying at Donington Park to secure pole position for the penultimate race of the season on Sunday.
JCWs HEAD TO DONINGTON FOR SEASON FINAL
Reece Barr insists he’s feeling no pressure ahead of a tense Rookie Cup showdown at Donington Park this weekend, while his biggest rival Max Bladon is determined to try and hunt him down in the points.
DONINGTON PARK OPEN RACE REPORT
With just qualifying to do on Saturday the drivers and crews were busy polishing and making sure cars were up to their best. Some had been testing on the Thursday and Friday. Chloe Hewitt was having problems…
DONINGTON PARK COOPER RACE REPORT
A nice early start with qualifying and 1 race on Saturday and 1 race on Sunday Morning. Bryony King and Ethan Pitt were guest drivers this weekend, hopefully entering next year’s MINI CHALLENGE.
MODERN MINI FEATURES BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
This month’s Modern Mini magazine covers the Mini Festival which took place on the 8 – 9th July and featured all classes of the MINI CHALLENGE. To find out more, pick up a copy of this Months Modern Mini.
JCW DRIVER SARAH MOORE FEATURES IN MODERN MINI
This Month’s Modern MINI Magazine reported on the JCW driver, Sarah Moore as she tried out racing in the JCW class. Sarah has competed in one round this season and hopes to come back for a full season in 2018.
OULTON PARK COOPER CLASS REPORT
The circuit configuration used for the MINI Festival was the Fosters Circuit. A first time for many. No fast left turn from Cascades entry into Lakeside but an adverse camber right hand turn into Fosters…
OULTON PARK OPEN CLASS REPORT
A small turnout but a quality field of just 7 cars. Up to 12 laps of the Fosters circuit were possible on the wet track. Ben Dimmack was his usual quick straight away, but it took 10 laps to put in the pole time.
OULTON PARK JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Having endured four nightmare races prior to the MINI CHALLENGE’s return to Oulton Park, Max Bladon gave the perfect signal that he’s ready to return to form by snatching JCW pole in a tricky qualifying session.
OULTON PARK JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Henry Neal broke his JCW duck in emphatic style in the first race at Oulton Park, but the outing ended under difficult circumstances after a multi-car accident at the Knickerbrook corner in difficult conditions.
OULTON PARK JCW RACE 2 REPORT
George Sutton made it two new winners from two rather frustrating races at Oulton Park, as the rookies came to the fore in the final race of the weekend. Sutton led home fellow Rookie Cup challengers Reece Barr and Max…
OULTON PARK PREVIEW, WITH MAX BLADON
Max Bladon says he needs to turn back the clock this Saturday at Oulton Park, and attack the penultimate round of the season in the same way he did during the opening weekend of the year.
Catching up with: Stuart Gibbs
Catching up with Stuart Gibbs, Stuart starting racing in the MINI CHALLENGE in 2017 with a JCW prepared and run by ExcelR8. Stuart is just 47 years old and lives in Weston Super Mare and has been married twice. Stuart served in the Army for 14 years and has been...
JCW RACE 2 REPORT BRANDS HATCH GP
Brett Smith took another big stride toward sealing this year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship crown, by claiming his fourth victory of the season after a tight final battle at Brands Hatch.
JCW RACE 1 REPORT BRANDS HATCH GP
Rob Smith is fast becoming a Brands Hatch specialist after securing another victory at the Kent venue in a truncated first outing at the Kent venue’s Grand Prix Circuit. Rob led from lights-to-flag to secure a second victory…
BRANDS HATCH JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Rob Smith snatched a dramatic last-gasp pole position at Brands Hatch after making late progress in a tricky, drenched qualifying session. After a gloriously sunny morning at the Kent venue, the storm clouds arrived…
Barr aims for Rookie championship as we head to Brands Hatch
Reece Barr is aiming to make his mark in this year’s JCW Rookie Championship with a strong performance on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit this weekend. The JCW’s head to Kent to start the final third of the campaign.
MARK BLUNDELL POSSIBLE RETURN TO MINI CHALLENGE JCW
Mark Blundell may be set for a return to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship in the future after an impressive, if unlucky, debut during the Brands Hatch MINI Festival.
BRANDS HATCH OPEN RACE REPORT
A Nice early start for the 9 open class cars for R53 and R56 “S” or JCWs. 15 minutes around the short Indy circuit. Ben Dimmack (R56) was fast straight out of the blocks and clinched P1 on the 3rd lap. Rob Austin (R56) tried…
BRANDS HATCH COOPER AM/PRO RACE REPORT
With a nice covering of cloud and good temperatures, the 18 Cooper Pro/ Am cars were all eager and pent up ready to “put the pedal to the metal” In the Pro class of 11 cars, favourites to go well was Sam Weller…
BRANDS HATCH JCW RACE 3 REPORT
After his race two upturn, David Grady went two better in the finale, with a scorching start helping him to a stunning victory to cap off MSVR’s annual MINI Festival. Grady started fourth on the reversed grid…
BRANDS HATCH JCW RACE 2 REPORT
Charlie Butler-Henderson landed his second JCW victory of the season in a tempestuous second race at Brands, but only after a post-race penalty for championship leader Brett Smith.
BRANDS HATCH JCW RACE 1 REPORT
Rob Smith withheld intense pressure to secure his first MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship victory since 2015 in the first race at Brands Hatch. The MINI UK VIP driver produced a superb defensive display…
BRANDS HATCH JCW QUALIFYING REPORT
Rob Smith scored his second pole of the season in a truncated MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship qualifying at Brands Hatch. The MINI UK VIP driver beat namesake Brett Smith…
Under the microscope: MINI CHALLENGE Girls
Under the microscope: MINI CHALLENGE Girls To celebrate Women is Sports week, I thought we would take a look at the Girls who form an integral part of the MINI CHALLENGE. What was originally thought to be a few actually turned out to be many! Jessica Hawkins Jessica’s...
MODERN MINI REPORTS ON SILVERSTONE ROUNDS
Modern MINI Magazine reported on both the JCW and Cooper/Open rounds from 3rd – 4th June and the 10th -11th June. You can find out more by picking up the latest copy of MODERNMINI Magazine or view the article here.
WAKEFIELD TARGETS PODIUM FINISHES AT BRANDS MINI FESTIVAL
Mark Wakefield has targeted a clean sweep of podium finishes at this weekend’s Brands Hatch MINI Festival as he continues his march up the CHALLENGE points table. The Excelr8 driver is currently third in the points…
BLUNDELL TO COMPETE IN MINI CHALLENGE JCW AT BRANDS HATCH
Ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell will compete in the next round of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship at Brands Hatch on July 8/9. Blundell has signed up to handle the MINI UK-backed guest car in the three races.
JCW CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER GRADUATES TO BTCC
JCW Championship leader Brett Smith insists that his surprise graduation into this year’s British Touring Car Championship won’t affect his chances of landing this year’s MINI CHALLENGE title.
ROCKINGHAM COOPER REPORT
Nearly midday but overcast for the 17 Cooper Class cars. 10 in the Pro Class, led by Jessica Hawkins and 7 in the Am class led by Stuart Mclaren. A lot of the drivers were struggling to get to know the Rockingham circuit.
ROCKINGHAM OPEN REPORT
Nice bright early start for the Open Class, a quick run around the Motor Speedway International circuit to heat the tyres up and away they all go. Only 8 cars but not a lot to choose between any of them.
Under the Microscope: George Sutton Racing
George Sutton Racing Under the Microscope What an impact George has had in the opening rounds of the 2017 MINI CHALLENGE. George is currently in 10th place after the 4 opening rounds. With 15th and 9th places at Oulton Park, a DNF and 16th at Rockingham (starting at...
SILVERSTONE JCW RACE 2 REPORT
Max Bladon secured his second victory of the season in a truncated second race at Silverstone. Much of which took place under the safety car.
SILVERSTONE JCW RACE 1 REPORT
SILVERSTONE JCW RACE 1 REPORT Brett Smith extended his points lead in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship in an emotionally charged first race at Silverstone, winning the day after his father Jeff was hospitalised after a serious accident in the British Touring Car...
SILVERSTONE QUALIFYING REPORT
SILVERSTONE JCW QUALIFYING REPORT Brett Smith continued his current hot streak by claiming pole for the first race at Silverstone after a nip and tuck battle with his namesake Rob Smith. The two Smiths were the class of the field and between them secured an all-Smith...
SILVERSTONE JCW PREVIEW
Rob Smith is hoping that consistency and a change in fortune can help him return to the top step of the MINI CHALLENGE podium at Silverstone this weekend, the site of his first CHALLENGE victory back in 2014. Smith looked odds-on to record his first race win for two...
SILVERSTONE COOPER REPORT
Qualifying: Weather: Bright/Dry Duration: 15 minutes The Silverstone National Circuit, the one the BTCC use, suits the MINIs well. 3 blasts and a technical bit around Brooklands and Luffield. With 15 minutes, 19 cars and a potential 12 laps, it was all...
SILVERSTONE OPEN CLASS REPORT
Qualifying: Weather: Bright/Dry Duration: 15 minutes The R53 and R56, 10 cars in all, to race around the National Circuit. A few cars were missing due to Exams and other commitments. A great shame as this is a very competitive class. Andrew Tsang was...
SNETTERTON RACE 3 REPORT
Brett Smith became the first double winner of the MINI CHALLENGE season by taking a dominant victory in the third outing at Snetterton, as yet more of his championship rivals suffered setbacks in Norfolk. Brett completed his double to assume the championship lead...
SNETTERTON RACE 2 REPORT
Brett Smith kept the unprecedented run of different race winners going by becoming the sixth different driver to top the podium in the opening six races this year – and his chances of landing this year’s title received a boost as leader Reece Barr suffered heartbreak...
SNETTERTON RACE 1 REPORT
Jeff Smith secured his first MINI CHALLENGE victory of the season to make it five different winners from the first five races after a thrilling first outing at Snetterton. The British Touring Car Championship regular soaked up intense pressure from championship leader...
JCW QUALIFYING SNETTERTON
Rob Smith snatched his first pole position of the season in a bizarre qualifying session at Snetterton, after which two of the championship challengers will start on the back row. While the cars headed to the collecting area in bright sunshine, rain was on the...
SNETTERTON JCW PREVIEW
Brett Smith is hopeful that his impressive race pace so far this season can begin to manifest itself as on-track results at Snetterton this weekend. Eurotech Racing driver Smith has been one of the stars of the campaign so far, regularly showing front-running pace...
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURES IN MODERN MINI
MINI CHALLENGE features in the latest issue of Modern MINI. This issue covers all of the classes in the championships and looks at how some of the drivers got into the series.
Catching up with: Jono Davis
Catching up with: Jono Davis Age: 21 From: Market Deeping, Peterborough. Jono starting racing in the MINI CHALLENGE in 2016 with an R53 prepared by AReeve Motorsport. Doing a full season to get a taster of racing MINIs, and producing some good results....
SNETTERTON OPEN REPORT
Qualifying: Weather: Changeable Duration: 15 minutes This class is a bit special, it allows all comers, R53s, R56s. Be they an ex-MINI CHALLENGE car, a track day car, or a Cooper S JCW of 2005 vintage. 180bhp per tonne is the rule. Yes, power output was checked and...
SNETTERTON COOPER AM/PRO REPORT
Qualifying: Weather: Bright/Dry Duration: 15 minutes Jessica Hawkins showed 17 others that she was the one to beat. A blistering performance, improving each time she went past the pits. There were a lot of new names and new cars all out for the opening...
Under the Microscope: OX4 Racing
OX4 Racing Under the Microscope OX4 Racing are one of the “smaller” teams in the MINI CHALLENGE paddock. But why OX4? Well that’s the post code of the MINI Plant in Oxford where the MINI is built and where all the team work during the week. Of course, they all have a...
SNETTERTON PREVIEW
The long awaited opening rounds of the MINI CHALLENGE Open class and Cooper classes is being held this weekend as part of the MINI Festival at Snetterton. New for this year is the split of the former Cooper Class cars into 2 classes. The Cooper Pro Class running a 135...
CAR MAGAZINE REVIEWS MINI CHALLENGE
CAR Magazine reviews MINI CHALLENGE CAR Magazine's James Taylor joined us for the first round at Oulton Park this April to try out racing in our guest JCW with the MINI UK JCW Team. Read James' review here as he guides you through his race weekend. Having raced...
ROCKINGHAM RACE 2 REPORT
Round: 4 Laps: 14 Weather: Cloudy, dry Reece Barr made it four different winners from as many races this year after scoring an emphatic maiden JCW victory in race two at Rockingham. Barr, a former double Irish karting champion, showed maturity and...
ROCKINGHAM RACE 1 REPORT
Round: 3 Laps: 6 Weather: Sunny, dry Max Bladon learned from his starting errors at Oulton Park to take his maiden JCW victory in a fragmented first race at Rockingham. Bladon didn’t just have to get off the line once to notch his first win in the...
ROCKINGHAM QUALIFYING REPORT
Reece Barr set the pace in the second qualifying session of the season, setting the fastest time on Saturday to sit on provisional pole in what was only his third ever qualifying session in a car, having joined the MINI CHALLENGE from karting. Barr knew a good lap was...
CBH HEADS TO ROCKINGHAM WITH 3 POINT LEAD
Former MINI CHALLENGE champion Charlie Butler-Henderson believes circuit unfamiliarity can mix up the pecking order at Rockingham this weekend. The premier JCW category heads to the Corby speedbowl for the second round of the season this weekend, with Butler-Henderson...
Under the Microscope: MINI UK VIP Team
The MINI UK VIP Team under the Microscope The MINI UK VIP team run 4 cars in the MINI CHALLENGE UK race series including MINI UKs guest drivers. They have the responsibility of ensuring that the drivers and cars that they run are the best in class. An superb example...
Catching up with: Calum King
Catching up with: Calum King Age: 25 From: Aberdeen The King family have become MINI CHALLENGE regulars across the last two seasons, running with the ES Motorsport team. Youngest member, Calum, joined the championship from Scottish club racing, and...
OULTON PARK RACE 2 REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE, Oulton Park Rounds 1-2 RACE REPORT Round: Two Laps: 8 Weather: Cloudy Charlie Butler-Henderson scored victory in race two of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW opening weekend of the season at Oulton Park to once again stake his claim for a championship...
OULTON PARK RACE 1 REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE, Oulton Park Rounds 1-2 RACE REPORT Round: One Laps: 7 Weather: Cloudy Mark Wakefield secured his first victory in the MINI CHALLENGE’S JCW class with an assured drive in a shortened opening race of the season at Oulton Park. Wakefield, on...
OULTON PARK QUALIFYING REPORT
Max Bladon took no time in shaking off the winter cobwebs to continue his fine run of form to take pole position for the MINI CHALLENGE – JCW opening race of the season at Oulton Park. Last season’s Cooper Class champion was fresh from racing an Aston Martin Vantage...
JEFF TO QUALIFY TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS ON ONE DAY
Jeff Smith will pull double duty this weekend, by competing in both the British Touring Car Championship and MINI CHALLENGE at two different circuits on the same day. Smith plans to take part in both the second BTCC round at Donington Park and the CHALLENGE JCW opener...
DOUBLE UK LEGENDS CHAMPION DEAN BRACE JOINS JCW
Double UK Legends champion Dean Brace will join the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this season with Lawrence Davey Racing. Brace has a hugely successful background in Legends racing, having won the overall titles in both 2013 and 2014 – his 2014 achievement also...
FULL GRID AT OULTON PARK THIS EASTER
This year’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship will roar into life with a capacity grid for its first races this Easter Bank Holiday at Oulton Park on April 17. With just over a week to go until the lights go out on another season, the CHALLENGE’s premier JCW category...
JACKSON JOINS JCW FOR FULL SEASON
Rebecca Jackson will return to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this season. TV presenter and journalist Jackson contested select events in the MINI UK-backed guest car last season, and will now take the plunge into a full season of competition. Jackson has a...
FORMULA FORD STAR GOUGH JOINS JCW
Formula Ford 1600 star Stuart Gough will join this year’s JCW Championship, and be reunited with his old single-seater rivals David Grady and Rob Smith. Gough, 36 from Milton Keynes, will contest his first-ever season of front-wheel-drive racing this year aboard the...
COOPER CUP CHAMPION JOINS JCW
Reigning Scottish MINI Cooper Cup champion Paul Bell will graduate into the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year with the Aaron Reeve Motorsport team. Bell, 42, conquered the Knockhill-based Scottish championship in his second full season of MINI racing last...
JCW RACES GAINS LIVE TV COVERAGE
MINI UK’s Nicolas Griebner says the manufacturer’s part in gaining live TV coverage this season will give the MINI CHALLENGE “the complete package.” The CHALLENGE’s flagship JCW Championship will benefit from live and free-to-air TV coverage this year after a new deal...
SMITH RETURNS IN 2017 AS MINI UK VIP
Multiple MINI CHALLENGE race winner Rob Smith returns to Excler8 Motorsport and the MINI UK VIP team for another season in the Evergreen Tyres backed #37 JCW. Having taken to the podium in his first MINI CHALLENGE event in 2013 and followed this up with a win at...
MINI CHALLENGE TO BE BROADCAST LIVE
Front Runner to broadcast live and free-to-air MINI CHALLENGE UK races from all 6 of the UK British GT rounds British GT Championship & MINI Challenge fans will be able to watch this season’s, as well as those of its MINI CHALLENGE support category, live, for free...
WAKEFIELD JOINS TEAM EXCELR8 FOR 2017
Mark Wakefield has targeted a significant jump up the grid this season after joining Excelr8 Motorsport for his second season in the JCW Championship. The 19-year-old from Cheshire will be entering his fourth season in the MINI CHALLENGE, but his first with a...
BLADON GRADUATES TO JCW CLASS
Cooper Class dominator and Sunoco Challenge winner Max Bladon will graduate to the MINI CHALLENGE’s JCW Championship this season. Bladon has agreed to race a Bizkarts-backed JCW with the Excelr8 Motorsport team for what will be his third campaign in car racing. The...
REECE BARR JOINS 2017 JCW CLASS
Double Irish karting champion Reece Barr will tackle the full MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship this year with Excelr8 Motorsport. Barr, 16, marked himself out as a rising star in domestic karting, racking up back-to-back titles in the All-Ireland MiniMax championship...
MCUK FEATURED IN MOTORWERKS
MINICHALLENGE features in MotorWorks Magazine, including details on Reece Barr, Paul Bell, and Charlie Butler-Henderson. A MEGA BMW issue with coverage from 2016 and BMW's 100th Anniversary. It is truly International with coverage from New Zealand, Australia, the UK...
JEFFS GRADUATES TO JCW CLASS
Reigning MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S Class champion Scott Jeffs will graduate into the top-flight JCW category this year. The 19-year-old from Stratford upon Avon will run one of the new Gen 3 F56 machines as a privateer entry, following his title success last season in...
MINI CHALLENGE LAUNCHES IN JAPAN
MINI CHALLENGE Japan showed off a MINI CHALLENGE UK JCW race car at the Auto Saloon Show in Tokyo on the 13th January 2017 to help launch a new race series in Japan. For more information on MINI CHALLENGE Japan, go to https://minichallenge.jp/
GRADY WINS BEST OF BRITISH
Reigning MINI CHALLENGE champion David Grady will return to defend his title this year after landing a budget boost courtesy of being named the winner of this year’s Best of British Award. Grady will benefit from a £14,000 prize, consisting of a package of entry fees,...
BLADON MAKES ENDURANCE DEBUT AT DAYTONA
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper champion Max Bladon is preparing to make his endurance racing debut at Daytona International Speedway next weekend (January 28-29), having won the Sunoco Challenge contest. Bladon beat off competition from 166 drivers competing across 11 other UK...
CHARLIE SIGNS UP WITH ELMS
Charlie signs up with ELMS MINI CHALLENGE star Charlie Butler-Henderson has teamed up with Elms MINI Cambridge for the 2017 season. Former CHALLENGE champion Butler-Henderson, who is also a Brand Ambassador for MINI UK, will feature Elms Cambridge logos on his car and...
CHAMPION TESTS TOURING CAR
Newly crowned MINI CHALLENGE champion David Grady had his maiden test in a British Touring Car recently, as part of his prize for lifting this year’s JCW title. Grady was rewarded with a fully funded test in a Motorbase Performance Ford Focus at Snetterton, courtesy...
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN MODERN MINI MAGAZINE
MINI CHALLENGE features in this month's MODERN MINI Magzine. To find out more, visit MODERN MINI Magazine.
JCW SNETTERTON REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE, JCW, Snetterton Rounds: 17-19 Round: 17 Laps: 10 Weather: Cloudy, dry David Grady stole the momentum in the chase for this year’s MINI CHALLENGE Championship with race one victory at Snetterton, but his rivals are still right on his tail. After...
COOPER, S, OPEN SNETTERTON REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S and Cooper, Snetterton, Rounds 16-18 Round: 16 Laps: 9 Weather: Cloudy, dry Scott Jeffs took a step closer to this year’s Cooper S Class title with victory in the opening race of the Snetterton finale, having recovered from a grid...
SNETTERTON PREVIEW
The four main contenders for the MINI CHALLENGE title are predicting a tense showdown at Snetterton this weekend, with each knowing a single mistake could end their charge. While six drivers from the premier JCW Class go into Norfolk with a shot at the championship...
MINI CHALLENGE 2017 TASTER DAY
TASTER DAYS - NEW DONINGTON DATE ADDED Considering racing in the MINI CHALLENGE in 2017? Win a chance to win one of two Dunlop Official BTCC tests? Best of British and other prizes worth over £35,000? The dates are: Snetterton - Thursday 17th November Donington -...
MINI CHALLENGE FEATURED IN MODERN MINI MAGAZINE
MINI CHALLENGE features in this month's MODERN MINI Magazine. To find out more, visit MODERN MINI Magazine.
Catching up with: Keith Issatt
Catching up with: Keith Issatt A MINI CHALLENGE regular for over a decade, Keith Issatt recalls why he got started in motor racing, and why he keeps coming back to MINI racing. What got you started in the sport? “My wife bought a basic Cooper for the road and I took...
2017 JCW CALENDAR
JCW 2017 CALENDAR Following our announcement that the MINI CHALLENGE will join the British GT package from 2017 we are now delighted to announce the provisional JCW Class calendar:
MINI CHALLENGE 2016 BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL
MINI CHALLENGE 2016 BRANDS HATCH MINI FESTIVAL By David Young Sun, more sun, 60 MINIs, the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit and the MINI Challenge returned to Brands. As part of the MSVR MINI Festival, the MINI Challenge played the starring role of the weekend. The pit...
CADWELL COOPER S/OPEN REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S/Open Cadwell Park Rounds 14-15 Round: 14 Laps: 9 Weather: Raining, wet Both Neil Newstead and Carlito Miracco had similar days at Cadwell Park, they had a win each but after Miracco was black-flagged in race one for...
CADWELL COOPER REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Cadwell Park Rounds 14-15 Round 14 Laps 10 Weather, raining – wet Max Bladon returned to winning ways at Cadwell Park, but had to work for it, after qualifying fourth in a twice red flagged qualifying session. But it was enough to crown him the...
CADWELL PREVIEW
Cooper Class dominator Max Bladon has pledged not to back off at Cadwell Park this weekend, despite being on the verge of landing the title. Bladon carries a whopping 225-point lead into the standalone Cadwell Park double-header. With just five races remaining, a top...
MINI CHALLENGE JOINS BRITISH GT
MINI CHALLENGE joins British GT Championship for 2017 • Top-level JCW Championship moves to British GT race package • Major championship expansion across all classes • MINI UK to increase support from 2017 Next season the MINI CHALLENGE will join the British GT...
OULTON PARK JCW REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Oulton Park, rounds 15-16 Round: 15 Laps: 4 Weather: Intermittent rain, cloudy Jeff Smith may have broken his MINI CHALLENGE duck with the first win in a turbulent Oulton Park double-header, but much of the focus centred on a frightening accident...
OULTON PARK COOPER REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper/S/Open Oulton Park Rounds 12-13 Round: 12 Laps: 11 Weather: Cloudy, damp-drying The second attempt at a first race at Oulton Park was ironically a race of firsts – with Carlito Miracco taking his maiden MINI CHALLENGE victory in the Cooper S...
JCW OULTON PARK PREVIEW
Rob Smith says he’s going “all guns blazing” for victory on home turf this weekend as the MINI Challenge JCW title fight rolls into Oulton Park. Smith was a major player in the title battle last season and was the first man to win a race in the new generation F56 JCW...
COOPER, S OULTON PARK PREVIEW
Cooper Class frontrunner Josh Gollin believes that car tweaks can be the key to him ending Max Bladon’s domination of the class at Oulton Park. Bladon has very much had the Cooper Class laurels to himself this season, and has so far gone all 11 races this season...
BRANDS HATCH JCW REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE JCW Brands Hatch Indy, Rounds: 12-14 Round: 12 Laps: 21 Weather: Sunny, warm Having taken his maiden pole position last time out at Rockingham, Brett Smith carried newfound confidence and momentum into Brands Hatch, and made good use of it to convert a...
BRANDS HATCH COOPER, S REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE Cooper S, Open, Cooper Brands Hatch Indy, Rounds: 10-12 Round: 10 Laps: 22 Weather: Sunny, warm Max Bladon came closer than ever to losing his unbeaten streak this season when he dropped as low as fifth on the first lap of the Brands Hatch MINI Festival...
BRANDS HATCH COOPER PREVIEW
Racing rookie Michael Bamber is hoping to continue his charge towards the top three in the Cooper Class with a strong showing at Brands Hatch this weekend. Bamber, 27, is currently fifth in the Cooper Class points ahead of his first experience of the MINI Festival at...
BRANDS HATCH JCW PREVIEW
MINI CHALLENGE veteran Chris Smith isn’t feeling the pressure of chasing a breakthrough race victory this season, and would be content with a strong haul of points at Brands Hatch this weekend. Smith heads into the triple-header around the Kent venue’s Indy Circuit in...
ROCKINGHAM JCW REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE, JCW, Rockingham, Rounds: 6-8 Round: 6 Laps: 14 Weather: Cloudy, dry Nathan Harrison claimed the MINI CHALLENGE championship lead, and then lost it after being stripped of the first victory of the weekend. Harrison crossed the line first,...
ROCKINGHAM COOPER, S REPORT
MINI CHALLENGE, Cooper & S, Rockingham, Rounds: 7-9 Round: 7 Laps: 13 Weather: Cloudy, dry We’ve seen some periods of dominance within the Cooper Class order throughout the years, and Max Bladon continued his unbeaten streak to make it seven in a row at...
ROCKINGHAM COOPER PREVIEW
Car racing rookie Sam Weller is aiming for his breakthrough victory at Rockingham this weekend, after sampling the champagne in the Cooper Class for the first time. Weller was one of the stars of the three races at Silverstone, claiming two second place finishes in...
ROCKINGHAM JCW PREVIEW
Silverstone double-winner David Grady is confident of continuing his climb up the points table as the MINI Challenge season his the halfway stage at Rockingham this weekend. Grady grabbed his first pole position last time out in Northamptonshire and converted that...
ROCKINGHAM JCW REPORT
Round: 6 Laps: 19 Weather: Sunny, warm David Grady celebrated his maiden MINI CHALLENGE pole position, and duly turned it in to his first victory of the season in what could work out to be one of the finest races of the year. Grady held off a charging...
COOPER S, OPEN & COOPER REPORT
Round: 4 Laps: 18 Weather: Sunny, warm The old expression says that you only need two cars for a race. The R56 JCW Class may be down on numbers for this year, but they produced a stunning four-way fight for victory in race one at Silverstone. The entry may have been...
Catching up with: Henry Neal
Will Neal will become the newest member of the Neal racing dynasty to join the MINI CHALLENGE when he lines up on the Cooper Class grid at Donington Park this weekend. Will is the youngest son of three-time British Touring Car champion Matt Neal, and the second member...
Catching up with: Mark Wakefield
Cooper Class star Mark Wakefield is the latest star to sign up to the MINI CHALLENGE’s burgeoning F56 JCW Class this year. Wakefield shone with three race wins during his second season in the Cooper Class last term, which yielded a third place finish in the...
Catching up with: Charlie Butler-Henderson
Reigning MINI CHALLENGE champion Charlie Butler-Henderson will return to defend his crown wearing the badge of MINI UK after being named as a brand ambassador. Butler-Henderson took seven race wins on his way to a maiden CHALLENGE title last season when running with...
Catching up with: James Turkington
The younger brother of two-time British Touring Car champion Colin, will join the MINI CHALLENGE this season. The 22-year-old from Portadown, Northern Ireland, has chosen to make his first full-time foray into racing on the British mainland in one of the...