KIERAN ROBERTS TO DEBUT AT THRUXTON

Kieran Roberts will make his debut in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy this weekend at Thruxton after agreeing a deal to join the grid with EXCELR8.

Roberts, who was top independent in the Junior Saloon Car Championship last season, will join the grid in the car owned by his uncle Matt Hammond.

Hammond won the Cooper title back in 2017 and went on to score multiple wins on his return to the series in 2021 and 2022, before graduating into a JCW car last season.

The move into the Cooper this weekend will see Roberts renew rivalry with Harry Smith and James Sherrington, both of whom also raced in JSCC last season.

“Matt has helped me to get into the car this weekend, and it’s an opportunity that has come along at the right time,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a challenge because my first time in the car will come in testing on Friday, but it should be fun.

“My first goal is to make sure that I keep the car in one piece for my uncle, but I also want to try and score the best results I can and I’d love to be up near the front. Hopefully it will go well and this could open the door for some more appearances in the future.”

Whilst Roberts will join the EXCELR8 line-up this weekend, Mackenzie Taylor will miss the Thruxton meeting having run into funding issues linked to the loss of his primary sponsor prior to the opening rounds.