RONNIE SMITH REUNITES WITH RACE CAR CONSULTANTS

Reigning Rookie Cup title winner Ronnie Smith has confirmed that he will reunite with the Race Car Consultants team for the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy season.

Smith competed with the team in the 2024 BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship as he made the made the move up from karting, scoring three victories in the MK6 category en-route to third in the class standings and seventh overall.

From there, Smith made the switch into the highly-competitive Cooper class last season and would prove to be the dominant force amongst the rookie field as he scored an impressive 13 class victories from 21 starts.

Two overall podium finishes also ensured that Smith ended the year seventh in the overall standings as the only rookie driver to break into the top ten.

Smith had initially looked set to remain with Chandler Motorsport for 2025, but instead becomes the second driver confirmed by Race Car Consultants as the team prepares to compete in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE for the first time.

Henry Foote has already been confirmed on the Cooper grid, with a driver in the JCW class still to be confirmed.

“I am super excited to be reuniting with Race Car Consultants for the 2025 Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy season,” Smith said.

“Having had great success together in the past, it made perfect sense to reunite with the team as I look to fight for the championship this season. I know how well we work together and I’m looking forward to working with David and everyone involved in the team once again.”

Team boss David Ellesley said he was delighted to confirm Smith’s return for the new campaign.

“I am delighted to welcome Ronnie back to Race Car Consultants for 2025,” he said. “After our successes together during his time in the Fiesta Junior Championship, we are excited to reunite and are focused on giving him the car to challenge at the front of the championship.

“Ronnie has always shown exceptional outright pace in whatever he has driven, which for any team owner is an excellent attribute to have in a driver. We’ve also seen his race craft is equally impressive, which should make for a very exciting season ahead!”