The MINI CHALLENGE was launched back in 2002 and has been part of the BTCC support package since 2020. It is the ideal stepping stone for drivers who dream of making it into touring cars.
The MINI CHALLENGE operates three different classes, with NAPA Racing UK fielding two cars in the headline JCW class and one in the all-new JCW Sport class, where drivers compete in similar cars running lower levels of power and with a traditional OEM gearbox. The JCW cars are bespoke based around the F56 variant of the MINI, with a powerful 2.0 litre turbo-charged engine, sequential gearbox and a range of specialist motorsport parts that make it something of a 'mini' touring car.
JAMIE OSBORNE #77
Like many young drivers, Jamie Osborne took his first steps into car racing in the Ginetta Junior Championship, where he hit the track at the age of just 14-years-old during the 2018 season.
Having ended his rookie season in 20th place in the standings, Osborne - younger brother of BTCC racer Sam - returned to the series for his second year in 2021, scoring the first podium of his career at Donington Park en-route to twelfth in the points.
With a one-off outing in the MSVR Focus Cup providing a chance to sample senior racing for the first time, and resulting in a hat-trick of wins, Osborne made the huge step up to the JCW class of the MINI CHALLENGE for the 2022 season, with a pair of top ten finishes at Donington Park being his best results of the year.
Teaming up with NAPA Racing UK for his second year, Osborne embraced the challenge of helping to lead the new team and was one of the most improved drivers on the grid as he established himself as a regular contender towards the front of the grid.
A maiden win at Oulton Park was the highlight prior to the season finale at Brands Hatch, where he bettered that achievement by scoring his first championship crown - wrapping up the Graduate Cup crown in the final race of the year.
Heading into year three of his JCW programme, the focus now is very much on the fight for overall honours.
LEWIS SELBY #18
Lewis Selby made his name competing in classic Minis, despite the fact that his height - being more than 6ft tall - was far from ideal for such a small machine.
A race winner in the likes of the Mini Miglia Championship and the Mini Se7en Challenge – where he twice finished inside the top three in the standings, Selby represented NAPA Racing at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed and also raced in a NAPA-branded car in the EnduroKA series before making a high-profile switch to the MINI CHALLENGE.
Entering the JCW class with the all-new NAPA Racing UK programme in 2023, Selby produced a number of impressive drives over the season and was a winner in the Directors Cup - the award handed out for the best-placed driver over the age of 35 in a race.
With multiple top-ten finishes to his name, Selby now returns to the series for year two ready to fly the flag for NAPA Racing UK once again with his focus on bringing home more silverware.
CAM RICHARDSON #15
Cameron Richardson is by far the least experienced member of the NAPA Racing UK line-up, having only made his debut in competitive motorsport in 2023.
That’s not to say he hadn’t already displayed his potential on a race track, getting the opportunity of a lifetime in 2022 when he was able to sample a NAPA Racing BTCC car for a lap of the Silverstone circuit during a track day.
An accomplished karter and sim racer, Richardson joined the ultra-competitive MINI CHALLENGE Trophy for 2023 as part of the NAPA Racing line-up, gaining huge experience across the year and scoring multiple top 15 finishes.
Benefitting from the knowledge and experience of driver coach Paul Rivett, Richardson now moves up a level for 2024 with a switch into the new JCW Sport class within the MINI CHALLENGE keen to show his talents on a bigger stage.
