MINI Challenge Brands Hatch

A Riot in the Rain at the Brands Hatch MINI Festival.

It was a weekend of near misses, dramatic late decisions and tough, messy fights to the flag as the drivers battled the wet weather to treat fans to an unforgettable MINI Festival at Brands Hatch. With just a few wins needed to seal the deal, Ant Whorton-Eales started the weekend in the perfect position to bring the championship title home. However, despite showing his grit with three impressive wins, the trophy remains just out of reach, with the battle going down to the last racing weekend of the year at Donington Park. Will it be a lap of glory for Whorton-Eales, or will there be a surprise challenge?

MINI Challenge Brands Hatch

Close calls in qualifying.

The weekend’s racing action got off to a competitive start with just a single second separating the top 20 drivers in qualifying. Jordan Collard eventually emerged to take pole position, beating Ant Whorton-Eales by exactly 0.1 seconds.

MINI Challenge Brands Hatch

A dramatic late twist.

Collard stormed out of the grid and fought hard to lead the pack from start to finish in a thrilling first race. However his glory was short lived – he was hit with a post-race time penalty for overshooting his mark, handing Whorton-Eales first place.

MINI Challenge Brands Hatch

Within touching distance.

A second victory of the weekend put Whorton-Eales within arm’s reach of championship glory as his rivals imploded in a messy race. Collard, Henry Neal, Rob Smith and Nathan Harrison all got caught up, allowing Whorton-Eales to comfortably take the flag.

MINI Challenge Brands Hatch

Glory must wait.

Whorton-Eales completed a Brands Hatch hat trick, but couldn’t take the title as torrential rain brought the festivities to an early end. The championship leader is the overwhelming favourite, but the race for the trophy will go down to the final event of the year at Donington.