The MINI Challenge

Over the years, the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE has built a reputation for affordability, fairness and fun and benefits from being the only Championship to enjoy the support of MINI UK and from being televised live on ITV4 as a BTCC Support Series.

Last season the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE continued its history of listening to competitors, with a number of subtle, but important regulation changes to maintain stability and maximise equality; ensuring the best drivers have the opportunity to win.

For 2025, our Championship Support structure is being enhanced and revamped to deliver an even better experience for competitors.
Dedicated Technical and Sporting Managers are being appointed to provide assistance and guidance to competitors and contribute towards the successful and smooth running of the championship, thus helping us to maintain the highest standard of sporting integrity on and off track.

New for 2024 was the successful introduction of JCW Sport, designed to bridge the gap between the JCW and Cooper classes. Based on the existing F56 JCW, but with a few key changes to aid affordability and create its own performance window, the first season added
another element of excitement to the series, with the championship battle going down to the very last race of the season before a winner was crowned.

With the added benefit of being able to convert the car into full JCW spec, JCW Sport provides a viable and tangible route onto the TOCA package, sharing the same calendar and grid as the JCW in supporting the BTCC at seven events.

This year the JCW class will continue as a key stepping-stone for drivers with their sights set on the BTCC, with the likes of Ant Whorton-Eales, James Gornall, Jack Mitchell, Ronan Pearson and Dan Zelos graduating from the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE into touring cars in recent seasons.

Graduates from the championship have also been successful elsewhere, winning races and battling for title glory in the likes of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Porsche Sprint Challenge, the British GT Championship and European GT4.

The Cooper Class provides close, fair racing at an entry level, benefitting with all rounds shown live on ITV4 or through online streaming. The championship will continue to make three appearances on the TOCA Package alongside the BTCC in 2025, at Brands Hatch, Thruxton and Donington Park. Whilst other calendar highlights include a return to Silverstone under the BRSCC banner, a second running of the Croft MINI Festival and the traditional season finale at Brands Hatch alongside the British Truck Racing Championship, on a weekend that includes a spectacular Bonfire Night Fireworks display – making it one of the biggest events on the schedule.

2025 will see the R50-based cars continue to be one of the fairest and most cost effective ways to go racing, whilst also offering competitors the highest profile exposure.

Budgets are kept under control through restrictions on testing and tyre use, as well as the widespread use of control parts in areas where any performance advantage could be gained. Competitors will also benefit from full championship parts support at every
round.

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE is ‘The Place to Race’.