CHANDLER MOTORSPORT ADDS JUNIOR SALOON CHAMPION

Chandler Motorsport has announced the addition of reigning Junior Saloon Car champion Harry Smith to its driver line-up for the upcoming Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy season.

The 17-year-old is the second driver to join forces with the team for the 2025 campaign alongside the returning Cameron Wood, and will be charged with trying to help secure the Rookie Cup title for a third successive season.

Chandler Motorsport took rookie honours in its first season in the Cooper category back in 2023 with Rhys Hurd, and then defended the title in 2024 with Ronnie Smith.

Smith is the latest driver from the JSCC who will use the MINI CHALLENGE as the first stepping stone into senior competition, with the likes of Lewis Saunders, Alex Solley, Maximus Hall, Harry Hickton and Ashley Gregory making a similar move in recent years.

The youngster first joined the JSCC grid back in 2021 and having snared two top ten championship finishes, emerged as the driver to beat on track over the course of a dramatic 2024 season.

Having joined forces with Chandler Motorsport ahead of the campaign, Smith was the man to beat from the opening race of the year at Brands Hatch, where he picked up the first of nine race wins.

Picking up at least one podium finish at each of the nine meetings allowed Smith to take the title by just seven points, having run as an independent from round two.

Renewing his relationship with Chandler Motorsport and moving up into the MINI CHALLENGE, Smith will now be given the chance to showcase his talents in one of the most competitive championships in the UK, with confidence high about a strong campaign on track.

“I’m super excited to be making the step up to the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE this year with Chandler Motorsport,” he said. “After joining the team at the start of last season and then going on to take the Junior Saloon Car Championship title, I’m hoping that we can build on the momentum I generated in 2024 to challenge for some good results during the year ahead.

“I can’t wait to get out on track and start planning for the opening rounds, and a huge thank you to the team for the fact that I’ll go into my rookie season armed with a brand new build car that will give me the best opportunity to fight towards the front of the grid.”