MINI CHALLENGE YOUNGSTER KEEN TO BUILD ON PROGRESSION

Leo Purches says he is eager to build on the progress made during his rookie season in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as he switches focus towards the 2025 campaign.

Purches was the youngest driver to compete in any of the three classes this season after inking a deal to join forces with Graves Motorsport, making his debut at Snetterton at the age of just 16.

Having never previously raced a car, Purches was on the back foot going into the weekend but showed glimpses of his potential with a top ten finish in the high-attrition race.

From that point on, he would make gradual steps forwards in terms of his pace and by the end of the campaign, had developed into a regular top ten runner to mark himself out as one to watch next year, when he is bidding to return for another assault on the Cooper class.

“It’s been a difficult season because of the fact I had to learn how to drive a car from scratch,” he said. “Coming from karting, I wasn’t used to things like right-foot braking, a clutch and the race starts, all of which were tough.

“I can’t thank the team enough for all they have done for me, and their support has been the most important thing for me. I’ve benefitted from having some quick team-mates alongside me in Alex [Solley], Alex [Keens] and James [Black] and I think I have to be pleased with the way I’ve developed as a driver across the season.

“I’ve gone from being at the back of the grid at the start to being consistently inside the top ten, so I can’t be unhappy.”

Going into the Brands Hatch finale, Purches looked set to secure a 100 per cent finishing record in his rookie campaign before a dramatic roll in race two saw that run come to an end.

Despite that, he battled back to finish the season finale just outside the top ten from the back of the grid to wrap up second in the Rookie Cup.

“The roll was a bit of a knock to my confidence, so to come back and finish the year in such a strong way was great,” he said. “Ending my first year in the MINI CHALLENGE as second best rookie is really good, and thanks to my partners and my family for the encouragement they have given me along the way.”