MINI CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENT CAR CONFIRMED FOR JCW FIELD

Organisers of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE can today confirm that a sustainable fuel development car will once again be part of the grid for the 2025 season.

Having run alongside the new JCW Sport class last season, the development car will this year run as a non-scoring guest entry in the headline JCW category and will be operated on behalf of the Championship by Chandler Motorsport.

The car will run on a combination of 50% traditional fossil fuels and 50% fuels from a sustainable source, with the development car having run on a 75/25 blend last season.

The fuel trialled last year will now be used in the remaining cars across both the JCW and JCW Sport classes this season in the first move towards a more sustainable future.

As was the case last year, the sustainable fuel development car will be available for drivers who are looking for the opportunity to enjoy the all-action racing found in the MINI CHALLENGE, with subsidised drives available from the second round of the season at Snetterton in late May.

Steven Chandler, who competed in the Cooper class last season with his own team, will be the first driver to race the car in 2025 when he takes his place on the grid at Donington Park next weekend.

Chandler will be making his JCW debut, whilst the season opener will also be the first appearance in the category for the team that has won the Rookie Cup in the Cooper class for the last two years.

“It’s a huge privilege to have the opportunity to line up on the JCW grid at Donington Park in the sustainable fuel development car,” he said.

“Not only will I be joining one of the best one-make grids in the UK, but I’ll also be promoting a greener, alternative fuel that shows how the MINI CHALLENGE is making positive changes for the future.

“I cannot wait to get out on track next weekend to see how I get on in what looks set to be a very strong field.”

Drivers wishing to follow in Chandler’s footsteps will benefit from subsidies from both the MINI CHALLENGE and Chandler Motorsport that will total approximately 40% of the cost of a weekend drives with further information available by contacting Championship Co-ordinator Rhea Beauchamp on rhea@minichallenge.co.uk.

“The sustainable fuel development car was a popular addition to the grid last season and provided a number of drivers with the chance to enjoy a taste of the MINI CHALLENGE,” she said.

“It’s fantastic that Steven will be at the wheel for the opening round and with subsidised drives available for the six rounds still to run after Donington Park, we fully expect there to be a lot of interest from people who want to get behind the wheel of a JCW car over the course of the season.”