2020 Season Review: Quaife MINI CHALLENGE

Filling the boots of the UK Clio Cup on the British Touring Car Championship support package, the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE came with a wealth of expectation and excitement this past year and it duly lived up to the hype as it produced a stellar campaign, resulting in Nathan Harrison being crowned champion.

Viewed as one of the country’s leading tin-top, single-make categories and billed as a unique stepping stone up the UK motorsport ladder, the series has become synonymous with no-holds barred, close-quarter racing – and 2020 proved to be no different.

Boasting a bumper entry list for what was a condensed season, the JCW contingent saw no less than seven drivers visit the top step of the podium whilst a further five also picked up silverware along the way.

After narrowly missing out on the crown in the year previous, Excelr8 Motorsport’s Harrison entered the season as one of the title favourites and he underlined his talents with a sensational performance to finally lift the coveted crown.

Wins at Donington Park, Silverstone and Snetterton were vital in his march towards the summit of the standings however it was his relentless consistency that really provided the building blocks for his championship challenge.

Picking up a further three podium finishes as well as several other big points, Harrison had enough in hand at the final round to wrap up the title in style.

Despite being crowned champion, Harrison didn’t have things all his own way and he was ultimately pushed all the way to the final chequered flag of the season. Dan Zelos, former champion Ant Whorton-Eales, Max Bird, Lewis Brown and Max Coates were his main protagonists over the course of the campaign.

As Harrison savoured the glory of capturing the overall title, several other competitors enjoyed championship success as well. Isaac Smith secured the Rookie Cup whilst Zelos was crowned Graduate Cup winner. Elsewhere, the Directors Cup went the way of James Griffith.