NAPA Explodes into UK Motorsport
01 Mar 2023
NAPA Racing UK took the British Touring Car world by storm last week after announcing the once two-car team, with drivers Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton, were suddenly becoming a four with BTCC winner Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne joining the team. Now, NAPA Racing UK is set to expand the NAPA racing programme by setting their sights even further by entering four other championships: MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Porsche Carrera Cup GB and the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC).
MINI CHALLENGE TROPHY AND JCW
MINI Challenge Trophy – Cam Richardson #15 (left) & Callum Eason #26 (right)
For the first time in NAPA history, the extended family will see a two-car entry into both the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and MINI CHALLENGE JCW.
Accelerating straight into the 2023 MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Championship will be rookie drivers Cam Richardson and Callum Eason, who will make their debut in the 130bhp 1.6-litre Mini Cooper at Brands Hatch as the season kicks off on Easter weekend 8-9 April.
Lining up in the first MINI CHALLENGE JCW is 19 year-old Jamie Osborne. Jamie made his racing debut in the 2018 Ginetta Junior Championship. In 2021, Jamie returned to track action in the MSVR Focus Cup, winning all three races, taking the fastest lap in each, and qualifying on pole.
MINI Challenge JCW – Jamie Osborne #77 (left) & Lewis Selby #18 (right)
Returning to Ginetta Junior for a full campaign, he ended the 2021 season 12th in the championship and then graduated – as part of the Motorbase Driver Academy – into the MINI CHALLENGE in 2022, where he became a Rookie class race winner. Whilst challenging for the overall race win, Osborne will also be competing for the class win in the Graduates Cup, which is aimed at those who have previously raced a full season in the MINI CHALLENGE.
Racing alongside Jamie is teammate Lewis Selby. Selby is no stranger to the racing track or jumping in MINI’s, despite being 6 foot 3”, after previously competing in the Miglia Championship, MINI Se7en Challenge, as well as Dan Cammish’s support driver at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022. In his first year entering the MINI CHALLENGE, Selby will have his eye on the Rookie Cup, as well as the Directors Cup for those aged over 35.
The JCWs will be out on track on the season opener of the British Touring Car Championship on 22-23 April at Donington Park.
PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GB CHAMPIONSHIP
Porsche Carrera Cup GB – Hugo Ellis #8
21-year-old and former world champion, Hugo Ellis embarks on his second season in the Porsche Carrera Cup with top team Joe Tandy Racing and 24hr Le Mans winner Nick Tandy by his side.
Ellis began his racing career at the age of just six years old in the world of karting and was consistently top five on the leaderboard despite competing against drivers as old as 13. By the age of 15, he became the youngest go-kart champion on the grid racing in the senior category. Ellis made his debut in car racing last year, driving the NAPA Porsche, ultimately finishing the Pro-Am class in fifth place.
With a full season of experience under his belt, he is sure to make his presence known on the grid in his striking #8 NAPA branded Porsche this year.
THE BRITISH TRUCK RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
BTRC – Paul Rivett #22
After a one-off truck race appearance at the 2022 Convoy in the Park Festival, NAPA Racing UK revealed back in January that they will be reuniting with four-time Renault Clio Cup UK Champion, Paul Rivett for a super-sized season in the British Truck Racing Championship in 2023.
The BTRC is one of the biggest categories in the UK with machines weighing in at more than five tonnes and producing in excess of 1000bhp, it really is a championship like no other.
The blue and yellow army on the NAPA Racing UK social channels were thrilled to find out that Rivett was back behind the wheel for an action-packed season and shows the immense support NAPA Racing UK get from their fans.
THE TEAM
Pete Osborne – NAPA Racing UK – Team Principal
“What an opportunity we have here. To expand the NAPA Racing UK team into MINI’S alongside the BTCC, Race truck’s & Porsche Carrera Cup GB with the talent and characters involved its the icing on the cake this season. The announcement last week was awesome to expand the BTCC side of the NAPA Racing stable but to extend it in this way is fantastic.
To confirm the continued work with Hugo (Ellis) in PCCGB is great, he did a superb job last season with the JTR Porsche so he has is eye’s on the next step with a years experience under his belt & then for Paul (Rivett) to have a full season in the Truck will be great fun, he’ll definitely be the man to watch in that series.
The MINI drivers are a mixture of young up and coming talent and experience, Jamie (Osborne) in his second year of JCW has a point to prove along with the experience of Lewis (Selby). Then in the MINI trophy side of the outfit we have two young prospects in Cam (Richardson) & Callum (Eason). I’m really looking forward to seeing their progress, not only this year but over the years to come. Its really exciting for me to be involved in young talent in Motorsport and look forward to seeing them grow. In recent years we’ve been working on building an academy to help young drivers realise their potential and this is another big step forward in that area.”
Adam McNaney – NAPA Racing UK Group Marketing Manager
“I’m delighted we’ve finally been able to reveal our full blueprint for 2023 and NAPA Racing UK.
Our mission from the get-go was to not only enhance our presence on track but to provide fans with an immersive NAPA experience across the entire race day.
Away from the track NAPA represents a full automotive parts solution and this new investment demonstrates our commitment to coverage across a variety of marques.
For our drivers there is now a clear pathway of development from the MINI CHALLENGE Championship right through to the British Touring Cars, something we hope will provide a talent pool for both the drivers of today and tomorrow.
We hope to build a lasting legacy and this is just the start of what we hope to achieve.”
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MEDIA RELATIONS
Rebecca Tarling
