Vertu Motors

DEVELOPMENT CAR DRIVE ‘A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY’

Steven Chandler admits that the chance to make his Vertu MINI CHALLENGE debut at Donington Park in the Fuel Development Car was a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ and has urged others to take advantage of the subsidised drives available through the remainder of the season.

With his family-run Chandler Motorsport squad taking on responsibility for running the car in the JCW class this year, Chandler got behind the wheel for the first three races of the season having contested a partial campaign in the Cooper class last year.

Chandler qualified a solid twelfth on the grid before racing his way into the top ten in the race one, and then impressed in Sunday’s two races where he picked up a pair of top six finishes – with fourth in race to being his weekend best.

Those results would have put him inside the top six in the standings had he been eligible to score championship points.

“I’ve not really got any excuses now for my results in the Cooper last year!” he said in reference to a single top ten finish in 2024. “The JCW seems to be better suited to my driving style and from the moment I had my first proper run in practice, I felt really comfortable.

“I got quicker and quicker as the weekend went on and I’m delighted with the results as I didn’t really have expectations going in. I don’t know when – or if – I’ll get the chance to do this again and it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I just wanted to go out and enjoy myself, which is exactly what I did.”

Chandler added that his team was keen to now give others the chance to shine on the JCW grid, having previously helped a number of youngsters to progress in their racing careers  – including in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy where it has won the Rookie Cup for the last two years, with year so

“We really showed what we can do with the JCW car this weekend,” he said. “Of course I’d love to be able to race the car again if possible, but it’s a great way for anyone who wants to get into the MINI CHALLENGE to spend a weekend on track, particularly when we are working with the series to subsidise the drive.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to jump in and show what they can do, and hopefully we can introduce some new faces and generate more interest in the MINI CHALLENGE.”

For further details on racing the Fuel Development Car, email rhea@minichallenge.co.uk

The Opportunity:

The Sustainable Fuel Development car is available for the remaining six weekends of the season at a subsidised rate thanks to support from both Chandler Motorsport and the MINI CHALLENGE.

That subsidised rate includes:

  • MINI CHALLENGE JCW Entry Fee
  • MINI CHALLENGE Championship Decal Pack
  • Approved MINI CHALLENGE Team Fees
  • JCW Car Rental
  • Awning Space
  • Social Media Announcements
  • Access into the MINI CHALLENGE hospitality for hot & cold drinks throughout the race weekend
  • Sustainable Fuel
  • Brakes & Discs
  • Tyres – carry over used tyres, plus six new slicks and wets where required. Should you wish to purchase any further new tyres within the regulations, you can have up to ten new slick tyres, whilst wet tyres are not restricted.

This does not include damage or insurance, which is a mandatory requirement.