MINI CHALLENGE JCW – Welcome to the BARC

MINI CHALLENGE and Millers Oils launch JCW Challenger scheme

Millers Oils has announced a new Challenger Scheme that will see one lucky driver secure a free entry into the headline JCW class of the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE.

The new scheme will be open to every driver who has signed up to compete in the JCW class by the end of January, when a shortlist of four will be drawn up as finalists.

As well as having their entry fee for the 2025 covered, the winner will then have the opportunity to work with Millers Oils in an ambassadorial role throughout the season, which will include showcasing the Millers Oils brand on track across the seven events on the JCW calendar.

“We’re searching for a driver with talent, passion, and determination to carry the Millers Oils legacy forward,” Jody Ogden, Millers Oils Marketing and Communications Manager, said.

“You’ll be supported to race in a premier championship, gain unparalleled exposure, and represent a brand synonymous with engineering excellence and motorsport innovation

“This is a life-changing opportunity for one skilled and ambitious driver and if you’re ready to rise to the challenge, we want to hear from you!”

New leadership team in place for MINI CHALLENGE as 2025 entries open

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE will mark the start of a new chapter next season after announcing a new leadership team comprising of Rhea Beauchamp, Luke Caudle and a third figure still to be confirmed.

Long time Championship Co-ordinator Beauchamp will take on the role of Championship Director with Caudle – a former MINI CHALLENGE title winner as Sporting Director. A new Technical Director is poised to be named in due course.

The news follows confirmation that entires have officially opened for the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE season, with drivers and teams able to now sign up and secure their place on the grid for each of the three classes.

Entry fees for the JCW, JCW Sport and Cooper classes are being held at 2024 levels whilst early bird discounts have also been put in place that will make the MINI CHALLENGE even more affordable.

Anyone registering for either the JCW or JCW Sport class by 29 November and paying their full entry by 1 February 2025 will benefit from a £2,000 discount on entry, with Cooper drivers following the same payment schedule receiving a discount of £1,000.

“We are delighted to officially open entries for the 2025 season and what promises to be another exciting year for the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE,” Beauchamp said.

“We are already seeing high levels of interest from teams and drivers who are interesting in competing with us next year, which is a nice position to be in at this stage considering that the Cooper class still has one round left to run.

“Holding entry fees at the same level as 2024 means that the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE continues to be one of the most cost-effective ways to go racing at a high level in UK motorsport, particularly when you consider the high profile that comes from being of the BTCC package.

“We have a number of things in the pipeline that we will announce in the coming months, and we look forward to welcoming drivers old and new into the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE for 2025.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE continues to be an important, entertaining and exciting part of our support package for 2025 and beyond.

“So it’s great to see the Championship energetically working with its teams and drivers in order to continue to grow the championship – not just for next year, but for years to come“.

Titles decided across action-packed TOCA support bill at Brands Hatch

Champions weren’t just crowned in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 5/6), as two more titles were also decided in the championships that make up the TOCA support bill.

On what turned out to be an action-packed finale around the famous Grand Prix circuit, the bumper crowd in attendance were treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel thrills as the battle for supremacy across each of the one-make categories reached an exciting crescendo.

George Gamble came out on top of a thrilling Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain finale to be crowned champion after the Rosland Gold By Century Motorsport driver went into the final race as one of three drivers that could triumph.

Eden Race Drive ace Harry Foster reigned supreme in the weekend’s opening encounter however all eyes were on race two as Gamble, Charles Rainford and Hugo Ellis battled each other, and the elements, in a bid for title glory.

With the pendulum swinging back and forth as the laps ticked by, Gamble took the fight by the scruff of the neck and began carving his way to the front of the field, ultimately dominating proceedings to clinch the Drivers’ Championship.

Things were just as tense in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain where three drivers were also battling tooth-and-nail for the right to call themselves 2024 champion.

Team Parker Racing’s Will Jenkins arrived as the outside bet for the crown and he did everything that he could to overturn the deficit to the top two by winning all three races in commanding fashion.

While Jenkins threw everything he had at it, Sebastian Hopkins kept a cool head to ensure that he was scoring what was required and he ultimately pippex Max Coates to the crown by one point, with Jenkins a further eight in arrears.

In the ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA, the pressure was very much off Deagen Fairclough after he secured an unassailable lead in the single-seater series last time out at Silverstone.

Becoming the tenth different driver to lift the coveted crown, the Hitech Pulse-Eight drivers record-breaking campaign saw a fitting final chapter written as he powered his way to two more race wins – taking his final season tally to 14.

JHR Developments’ Leo Robinson claimed the spoils in the re-run reverse grid contest that was cancelled at Silverstone while series runner-up Alex Ninovic capped off a fine season with his fifth win of the season in the other bout.

Like British F4, the destiny of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW crown was already decided with Dan Zelos having claimed a historic third title when the tin top category was last in action back in August at Knockhill.

Rookie Cup champion Max Hall charged to victory in the weekend’s opening bout before Nathan Edwards underlined his talents with a superlative performance that included a brace of race wins.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships, as well as the final standings for each, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support package will return in 2025, with the new season scheduled to get underway at Donington Park on April 26/27.

Title races heat up across TOCA support championships at Knockhill

Blockbuster entertainment proved to be the overriding theme for the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 10/11) as four championships ventured north of the border to dazzle fans Knockhill.

Making the annual trip north of the border alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship,

Stealing many of the headlines around the undulating Fife circuit was EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Dan Zelos, who claimed a historic third Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title with one round still remaining.

Zelos entered the weekend retaining a slim chance of securing an unassailable lead in the standings but after triumphing in race two and then seeing his main title rival Max Hall retire from the finale, the record-breaking feat was achieved.

“I’m not really sure what to say as no-one told me it was possible going into that race,” said Zelos. “Of course I didn’t want to win the title like that with Max at the side of the road, particularly through no fault of his own, and it’s a shame that we couldn’t battle it out on the track.

“However, the team has done a fantastic job this season to help give me the buffer in the points to wrap things up early, and it might not have been the most flattering way to win the crown, but we’ve got it done with three races to go.”

Zelos wasn’t the only one that had plenty to celebrate as both Dominic Wheatley and Nathan Edwards also scored race wins over the course of the weekend in the ultra-competitive tin top series.

In the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Deagen Fairclough took a substantial step closer to lifting the coveted crown as he clinched his eighth and ninth wins of the campaign.

Having been the benchmark since the season began, Fairclough was in superlative form as he dominated proceedings in races one and three, claiming lights-to-flag victories and the fastest laps in both contests.

Had he had a few more laps, there was every chance that Fairclough could have triumphed in the reverse grid contest too as he fought his way from outside the top ten to sixth at the finish. JHR Developments Leo Robinson would instead emerge victorious after overhauling Ella Lloyd.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain delivered two captivating contests with a monstrous grid of 911 GT3 machines putting fans firmly on the edge of their seats.

Charles Rainford did a masterful job in fending off Hugo Ellis to win race one before ex-BTCC race winner George Gamble claimed a long overdue – and comfortable – win in the weekend’s remaining contest.

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Knockhill was the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM. Never short of entertainment, the 5/8 scale series saw drama play out all the way until the final chequered flag being dropped.

Among the race winners across both days was Jack Parker, Oli Schlup, Will Gibson and Tyler Read.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support sessions at Knockhill, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories continue their campaigns in less than two weeks’ time, returning to Donington Park to tackle the Grand Prix layout on August 24/25.

MINI CHALLENGE to run post-season taster day at Donington Park

Organisers of the MINI CHALLENGE have announced plans for a post-season taster day at Donington Park for drivers that are interested in joining the grid for the 2025 campaign.

The event is scheduled to take place on Monday 14th October following the final meeting for the JCW and JCW Sport categories, and ahead of the season finale for the Trophy class – both of which will take place at Brands Hatch.

Teams competing across all three classes will be present on the day along with a variety of cars to cater for the different needs of potential entrants, from those looking to take their first steps into competition in the hugely competitive Cooper class right through to those looking to move up to a higher-profile series in JCW or JCW Sport.

Officials from the MINI CHALLENGE will also be in attendance in order to provide additional information on the series, and to answer any questions and queries.

A full race licence is not required in order to take part in the taster day, although those without will need to have a full road licence.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest from people who are considering the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE for 2025, as we have seen with the drivers who have taken the opportunity to race our guest car in JCW Sport this season,” said Championship Co-ordinator Rhea Beauchamp.

“With that in mind, we thought it was a good idea to offer drivers who might be looking to join the MINI CHALLENGE next season, or who are eager to try and move up to a higher class, with the opportunity to go out on track and sample the cars and discover more about what the series is all about.

“At this stage we are looking for expressions of interest so we can finalise plans for the day, and would urge anyone interested to register their details.”

TOCA support championships soak up the sun at Croft

Croft Circuit saw no shortage of entertainment this past weekend (July 27/28) as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain took centre stage on the TOCA support package.

Featuring alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for what is one of the biggest events on the calendar at the North Yorkshire venue, each championship served up a feast of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

One of the stars of the show was undoubtedly the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and its Pre-’66 Touring Car Championship, which was making its first-ever appearance on the support bill of the BTCC.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Pre-’66 contingent rolled back the years to a bygone era of tin top racing as they staged three non-championship races around the challenging 2.13-mile circuit.

Former BTCC race winner – and Yorkshireman – Sam Tordoff proved to be the driver to beat over the course of the weekend as he guided his monstrous Ford Falcon to a hat-trick of commanding victories.

David Dickerson and Guy Smith emerged as the closest challengers to Tordoff but both had to settle for the remaining spots on the podium. Also picking up some silverware was former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton, who was competing in a Ford Cortina prepared by Team Dynamics.

Spoils were shared in the latest rounds of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as EXCELR8 Motorsport team-mates Maximus Hall and Tom Ovenden claimed a win apiece, while Dan Zelos maintained his advantage in the championship.

Hall’s triumph came somewhat unexpectedly as a gaggle of cars ahead of him – including Ovenden, Dominic Wheatley and Nelson King – encountered their own troubles in the latter stages, which led to Hall picking up the pieces for his fourth win of the year.

Ovenden would bounce back from the heartache of losing an almost certain win in race two as he got the better of pole sitter Jamie Osborne and then cruise to victory, reigning supreme ahead of the NAPA Racing UK duo of Osborne and Lewis Selby.

Local driver Max Coates had a weekend to remember as he won two of the three races in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. Always a popular draw at his home circuit, Coates was near-perfect in the one-make series as he ignited his championship challenge in style.

The Team Omologato with Graves Motorsport driver dominated proceedings in the opening encounter, winning by more than eight seconds, before Sebastian Hopkins came to the fore in race two as he tallied his latest win of the season – with Will Jenkins and Coates not far behind.

Hopkins had looked on course to double up in the weekend’s third and final race however he was hit with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits late on, which therefore promoted Coates onto the top step of the podium.

In the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Hugo Ellis and Matthew Rees bolstered there individual seasons by snaring a win apiece. Ellis was in a league of his own in the opening encounter to triumph before Rees came to the fore in a captivating finale. Will Martin continues to lead the standings as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships that competed at Croft, CLICK HERE.

TOCA support bill delivers Oulton Park scorcher

Oulton Park played host to a blockbuster two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (June 22/23) as the 2024 campaign reached the half-way point in typically dramatic fashion.

Sharing the bill with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in Cheshire, four one-make categories wrote the latest spectacular chapter of their seasons as they delivered an array of thrills and spills for the bumper crowd that was in attendance.

Nathan Edwards enjoyed a dream weekend in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he reigned supreme, starting both races from pole position and then duly following it up with two impressive wins.

Race one around the 2.26-mile circuit saw Edwards produce a clinical display as he converted his front row start into a maiden victory. Nailing the launch as the lights went out, the EXCELR8 driver held firm out front to triumph despite coming under pressure from Nelson King and Tom Ovenden.

Edwards then repeated the feat in race two as he again didn’t put a wheel wrong out front to emerge victorious, with Ovenden this time leading home King after a fraught battle for the remaining podium honours.

The Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain saw Thomas Bradshaw make a welcome return to the winners enclosure as he took the fight to Sebastian Hopkins in the overall battle for the coveted championship crown.

Hopkins picked up where he left off at the last round and scored victory in the weekend’s opening contest however he could do nothing to stop Bradshaw in his Toro Verde GT machine from romping to the top step of the podium in the remaining two races.

Some of the closest on-track battles over the course of the weekend came in the Vertex Caterham Seven UK Championship, which was making its first appearance of the season on the support bill of the UK’s premier motorsport series.

All three races ended with just a handful of seconds covering the lead protagonists; something that has become a staple of Caterham racing down the years. Paul Donkin triumphed in the weekend’s opening race before Lewis Thompson then struck back – twice.

Returning to the BTCC support package was also the all-action Hagerty Radical Cup UK – having last featured at Snetterton in late May – where an ultra-competitive grid served up three captivating contests.

As he has done on countless occasions already this year, Chris Lulham was the driver to beat as he snared pole position and he then streaked clear of the chasing pack to claim a commanding hat-trick of race wins.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Oulton Park, CLICK HERE.

Sun shines on TOCA support championships at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch played host to a spectacular two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 11/12) as four categories continued their 2024 campaigns in style around the challenging Indy circuit.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Kent venue, a bumper trackside crowd – as well as many more watching on ITV4 – were treated to a feast of thrills and spills in scorching weather conditions.

History was made in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Rodin Motorsport’s Abbi Pulling became the first-ever female driver to win a race in the highly competitive single-seater series.

Just a few days on from claiming a double F1 Academy win at the Miami Grand Prix, Pulling didn’t put a wheel wrong in the reverse grid contest as she converted pole position into a flawless lights-to-flag victory.

Championship leader Deagan Fairclough emerged victorious in the remaining two British F4 contests, strengthening his advantage at the summit of the standings in the process.

Fairclough edged out Alex Ninovic and Rowan Campbell-Pilling to overall spoils in race one before he then led a Hitech Pulse-Eight 1-2-3 in the finale, as Mika Abrahams and Reza Seewooruthun completed the podium.

There was plenty of entertainment in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain too, which staged three races over the course of the meeting – one of which was the postponed bout from Donington Park last month.

Angus Whiteside withstood a torrent of pressure to win the rescheduled race however he went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows as in race two he was tipped into a scary barrel roll exiting Druids. Thankfully he was able to walk away unharmed from the incident.

Following a lengthy red flag stoppage, Hugo Ellis produced a superlative performance to claim victory when the race restarted ahead of Charles Rainford and James Wallis before Will Martin reigned supreme in style in the final race.

Maximus Hall enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he firmly announced himself as one to watch, clinching pole position in qualifying before then going on to score two impressive wins.

The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver was on the pace during Friday practice and ultimately never looked back. In race one he made a late lunge at Druids to wrestle the lead from Zelos to win and then he held the double champion off throughout race three to triumph again.

Zelos would have his moment on the top step of the podium however as he claimed victory in race two, which allowed him to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

Concluding the weekend’s action were six races from the 5/8 scale pocket rockets of the Legends Cars Championship, which was continuing its popular Elite Cup campaign after kicking off their season at Donington Park a few weeks back.

Reigning champion Will Gibson and now new championship leader Jack Parker claimed two wins apiece while there were also victories for Oli Schlup and Robert Barrable.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support sessions at Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Snetterton provides the next stop on the calendar for a number of championship in less than two weeks’ time on May 25/26.

TOCA support package begins new season with all-out action

Donington Park provided the setting for a pulsating 2024 season-opener on the TOCA support bill this past weekend (April 27-28) as a total of five championships blasted into life in typically action-packed style.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Leicestershire venue, the bumper crowd in attendance was treated to two days of blockbuster entertainment in at times challenging conditions.

Saturday saw light showers briefly hit the track however action remained to time; something that wasn’t to be the case on Sunday as heavy downpours caused lengthy delays and a number of races having to be cancelled.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – which this year boasts one of its most competitive entry lists in recent memory – was one of the categories to run just one race however it made a flying start to the new campaign with Will Martin claiming a hard-fought win.

Matthew Rees had looked on course to covert his pole position into victory however a moment at the Old Hairpin allowed Martin to sneak by and once out front he wasn’t to be challenged as he claimed a memorable win.

Behind Martin, former BTCC race winner George Gamble battled a number of car issues to snare second place ahead of the charging Angus Whiteside, who had produced a sensational drive up the order.

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA began its search for the next possible star of Formula 1 by staging two hotly contested single-seater races.

Pre-season title favourite Deagen Fairclough lived up to all expectations in the opening bout as he converted his blistering start from the second row into a flawless lights-to-flag victory ahead of James Higgins and Alex Ninovic.

Fairclough could do nothing to stop his Hitech Pulse-Eight team-mate Mika Abrahams from triumphing in race two as he shadowed on-the-road leader Alex Berg to the chequered flag. Unfortunately for Berg, a time penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him from first to third.

Dan Zelos began the defence of his Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title in formidable form as he scooped a win and a second place to claim the early bragging rights in the championship standings.

Zelos joined fellow former champion Ant Whorton-Eales in serving up a captivating battle for the win in the opening contest with Whorton-Eales initially triumphing. That was before officials deemed he had gained an unfair advantage and hit him with a time penalty.

Race two belonged to NAPA Racing UK’s Lewis Selby as his inspired move to switch to slick tyres while everyone else was on wets saw him go from dead-last to the top step of the podium, as he led home Zelos and last year’s Cooper champion Tom Ovenden.

The Legends Cars Championship garnered plenty of attention when it featured on the UK’s premier motorsport package in 2023 and the 5/8 scale machines are back for more this year, with a bumper grid all vying for glory in its Elite Cup.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, the trio of Andy Bird, Jack Parker and Will Gibson reigned supreme on the opening day of track action before Gibson and Parker then added to their tallies 24 hours later.

Concluding the weekend’s action were two races from the Radical Challenge, which was another series to return to the BTCC bill after enjoying an impressive debut last year.

Tipped by many as one to watch prior to the weekend beginning, Chris Lulham duly lived up to all expectations as he powered his way to a brace of victories.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Brands Hatch provides the next step on the calendar – where everything but the Radical Challenge will be in action – on May 11-12.

MINI CHALLENGE to run sustainable fuel development car

Organisers of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE have announced that a special guest car will join its grid for the 2024 season to help develop new sustainable fuels as the series aims to transition to 100% sustainable fuels by 2028.

The car, which will run in the new JCW Sport category, will be used for ongoing development of sustainable fuels for use in the series, with a gradually increasing proportion of the fuel to be used in the car coming from a sustainable source.

The long term strategy for the series is to have all competing cars powered by 100 per cent sustainable fuels by the 2028 season, with a phased reduction in the amount of traditional fossil fuels used for race machinery from 2025 onwards.

The fuel development car will be run in-house by a MINI CHALLENGE UK team and will be available to drivers who want to not only sample the new JCW Sport category, but also have a desire to help make motorsport in the UK more sustainable going forwards.

“Sustainable fuels are going to be key part of the landscape in motorsport in the coming years, particularly at national level,” series promoter Antony Williams said.

“Our goal as a championship is to work towards having all cars running on 100% sustainable fuels in the next three to four years, and certainly by the start of the 2028 season.

“The first stage of this is the development car that we will run in the JCW Sport class this season, which will start the year running on a significant proportion of sustainable fuels. Over the year, we will then reduce the amount of fossil fuels required and work on introducing the new fuel for 2025 as development work continues.”

The first driver who will get behind the wheel of the car is Hannah Chapman, who has previously competed in both the Cooper and JCW categories.

Dan Zelos, Louis Sharp & Steve Bemrose top list of special accolade winners at BARC Awards

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening didn’t just see the championship winners of 2023 celebrated on Saturday (February 3) as a number of other special accolades were bestowed upon hugely deserving winners too.

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was newly-crowned double MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion Dan Zelos who claimed The President’s Cup; which is awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level.

Becoming the first driver in the modern era of the ultra-competitive tin top series to clinch the coveted crown for a second time, Zelos chalked up an impressive ten victories and a further two podiums on his way to championship superstardom.

Zelos lauded: “It was totally unexpected and a complete honour to pick it up. We had an amazing year in 2023 and sometimes when your in the middle of getting deals together in the off season you forgot how much you may have achieved – so to be rewarded with a trophy like this has left me lost for words.

“Me, my Dad and the rest of the family have and continue to work incredibly hard to go racing and this is a fantastic accolade to receive. I think I’ve been part of the BARC for more than a decade now too.”

One of the biggest raptures of applause deservedly went the way of this year’s BARC Marshal of the Year, Steve Bemrose. In memory of Dennis Harris and designed to recognise the dedication and special efforts of the Club’s marshals, Bemrose was worthy winner after being selected by the Marshals Core Group.

Attending a multitude of race meetings over the course of last year, his actions in particular at the BTCC season-opener at Donington Park played their part in saving the life of a driver following a high-speed accident.

“It is a complete shock I must admit,” he said. “I’ve always been a fan of motorsport and I remember reading a review about being a marshal, what it entails and I never really comprehended how close you could get to the action, etc.

“After I had done my taster day my love for it grew and I’ve never looked back. The marshal community is incredibly tight-knit and if there is anyone out thinking about getting involved then do it, because it is just fantastic.”

Elsewhere, Junior Saloon Car Championship and Track Action Coordinator Dave Beecroft saw his diverse and distinguished motorsport career be celebrated as he scooped The Gerry Marshall Trophy, having epitomised the philosophy for motorsport that Gerry once had.

He said: “This award really means a lot to me because Gerry Marshall was a childhood hero of mine; I remember watching him at Oulton Park and was fortunate enough to meet him several times – so it was touching to be this year’s recipient.

“I love everything about this industry and its nice to be kicking off the year like this; especially because we’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, which is an incredible achievement.”

For the second year in succession, The Densley Trophy – which is bestowed upon the female in the Club that has been deemed to have a successful year – was handed out, with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Sonia Gibbons claiming the prize.

“I never ever expected to be given this award,” she admitted. “I didn’t even think I would be up for it so I am extremely proud to have won. At the Classic Touring Car Racing Club we are all volunteers but it is a real family. It’s a wonderful Club and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

Louis Sharp’s charge to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA title didn’t go unnoticed as he was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising junior drive competing in a BARC championship.

After enjoying a hugely encouraging debut campaign in 2022, the New Zealander lived up to the mantel of being a title favourite by edging out Will Macintyre to the single-seater crown in the final race of the season.

“It came as a complete surprise to me and it’s a massive privilege to receive it so thank you to the BARC for recognising me – it was a nice end to a really special night,” he said. “This award is a fantastic reward for everyone that has supported me.

“My ambition is to one day get to Formula 1 and while it has been a good start to that journey I’m well aware that there is a long way to go and that it will continue to get more competitive. I’m loving the challenge though and can’t wait to see what is next!”

Rounding out the list of special award winners was Adam Weeden, who completed the most volunteering days to lift The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy, and Zena Wooller who was named BARC Trainee Marshal of the Year.

“I’m delighted,” said Weeden. “This award goes to show how much marshals are appreciated because we give our time, which is very precious to us, to show support to the drivers and the championship.”

Albert Webster wins inaugural Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship

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

The 18-year-old saw off the challenge of more than 100 drivers across the three stages of the competition, earning him prize that includes an entry, car hire, fuel, brakes and tyres for the all-new JCW Sport class that is being introduced for 2024.

Capital Karts in London provided the backdrop to stage one of the competition prior to Christmas before those chosen to progress to stage two descended on Croft Circuit where they able to get to grips with a MINI CHALLENGE Trophy car.

A total of 20 drivers were chosen to compete in the final a day later and sample the new JCW Sport car before judges adjourned to pick their winner, with Webster ultimately coming out on top.

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

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

While Webster claimed the top prize, Harri Reynolds secured runner-up laurels and with it netted a £7,000 contribution to his 2024 racing programme courtesy off Alliance Racing and NAPA Racing UK.