ALEX SOLLEY SECURES JCW OPPORTUNITY WITH NAPA RACING UK

Alex Solley will make his debut in the headline category of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE in 2025 after being named as the first confirmed driver in an expanded NAPA Racing UK line-up.

The team, which fielded two JCW entries last season for Lewis Selby and Jamie Osborne, will run cars in the category this season, with the remaining three drivers to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Solley graduates into the top class on the back of a hugely successful spell in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, where he competed for the first time in 2021 after making the step up from the Junior Saloon Car Championship as series runner-up.

Wasting little time in showcasing his talents, Solley scored pole position and took his maiden win at Thruxton en-route to ninth in the standings and then repeated that end of season result the following year as he once again finished inside the top ten in the title race.

Four wins in 2023 saw Solley finish as runner-up in the Cooper points to Tom Ovenden, whilst he won twice last year to be in championship contention right up to the Brands Hatch season finale.

Twice a winner of the ‘Fastest Cooper Driver of the Year’ award, Solley will now take the step up to the top class of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE as part of NAPA Racing UK’s largest JCW programme to date.

Although he will be racing in NAPA Racing UK colours for the first time, Solley is no stranger to the Alliance Racing-run squad having utilised his skills as a mechanic to become part of the engineering team on the JCW programme last year.

“We’re proud to see Alex join the NAPA Racing driver line-up,” team owner Pete Osborne said. “He was a key part of the team’s success last season as a mechanic and has proven himself as a quality driver.

“This is a great opportunity to support Alex as he continues his driving career and also continues to engineer his new JCW with NAPA Racing UK.”

Solley’s move up into the JCW class will see him competing exclusively on the high-profile BTCC support package, with his debut scheduled to take place at Donington Park in late April.

“The move from the Coopers into the JCW class is a step in the right direction for me and the chance to compete in a purpose-built race car for the first time,” he said. “With more power, more grip and fewer road components, the car offers a raw driving experience, and I can’t wait to get started learning the different techniques required for this new challenge.

“To be making this move with NAPA Racing UK is fantastic, as the team is one of the most prestigious in the UK. The quality of the staff and the attention to detail with the cars is unmatched and shows how professional the team is. That is what you are looking for as a driver as you have complete confidence in the team to do the best job possible.

“With experience of working with NAPA Racing UK as a mechanic, I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel and seeing what we can do together on track. With a number of rookie drivers expected on the grid, there promises to be some interesting rivalries in 2025 and the goal has to be consistent results that will hopefully allow me to run towards the front and fight for the Rookie Cup crown.”