Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Celebrates 2023 Champions

28/11/2023 13:26

Another high-quality season of action in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE has drawn to a close after the crowning of the 2023 champions during the annual Awards Evening at Whittlebury Hall near Silverstone.

The event saw drivers from both the JCW and Cooper classes – as well as those racing in the affiliated MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport series – come together to celebrate the successes of a year in which more than 60 drivers did battle across the two primary categories.

It also provided the opportunity to celebrate the end of a successful first year for the title partnership agreement between Vertu Motors – a retail brand part of the Vertu Motors group – and the hugely popular one-make championship; a partnership that has already been extended into the 2024 season.

A grand total of 20 awards were handed out on the evening, with nine each for drivers from the JCW and Cooper classes as well as an award for the top team and a special presentation to championship co-ordinator Rhea Beauchamp to celebrate her 20^th anniversary in the series.

In the headline JCW class, Dan Zelos was awarded the championship trophy from Vertu Motors’ Chief Marketing Officer Liz Cope, having secured his second title after a season long-battle with Will Orton, who would end the year as runner-up and also wrapped up the Rookie Cup.

Orton would be one of the big winners of the evening as he also took the Fastest Driver Award – given to the driver who has taken the most ‘Fastest Lap of the Weekend’ awards during the season.

Fellow rookie Nelson King – the 2022 Cooper champion – was awarded his trophy for finishing third overall, with the Graduate and Director awards going to Jamie Osborne and Joe Tanner respectively.

Josh Porter was named as winner of the ‘Sporting Driver of the Year’ as he returned to action after a year on the sidelines with Simon Reed and the OX4 Racing team, comprising of works from the MINI plant in Oxford, taking 'Moment of the Year' for a Directors Cup win at Brands Hatch.

In the Cooper category, Tom Ovenden picked up his trophy having snared the overall title ahead of Nicky Taylor and Jack Byrne – with latter taking two awards having also wrapped up the Graduate Cup.

A successful season that included an overall race win saw Rhys Hurd clinch the Rookie Cup crown, whilst series regular Lee Pearce took the Directors Cup. Graves Motorsport driver James Black was awarded the Sporting Driver crown, with Moment of the Year going to Nathan Edwards for his maiden victory at Donington Park.

Three weekend fastest laps resulted in Alex Solley being named as Fastest Cooper Driver of the Year whilst top team went to EXCELR8 after it secured both championship titles.

“Our first season as an Official Partner of the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE has been a huge success and it’s fantastic to see the respective champions honoured for their performances on track in 2023,” Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors, said.

“Across the year the drivers in both the JCW and Cooper categories have produced some fantastic racing on track, and we are delighted to have extended our deal with the championship and know we be involved again in 2024.

“A huge congratulations to the various champions, and we look forward to plenty more of the same when they return to the track next year!”

The 2024 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE season will get underway at Snetterton in April with the opening event for the Cooper class, with racing for the JCW and new JCW Sport classes later that month at Donington Park.

Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE – 2023 Award Winners: