Business first, race team second.
EXCELR8 is practically unique among race teams in that its founder, Justina Williams, has a highly successful background in business, rather than coming from a career solely in motorsport.
This means the team has a far greater appreciation for the needs of its commercial partners than its competitors, and is as committed to delivering a return on your marketing investment as it is to achieving results on track.
The team devotes an enormous amount of effort to optimising its operations and presentation in order to provide a highly professional and marketable platform, and were recognised with a ‘Spirit of the Championship’ Award for the best dressed and most innovative garage during the teams maiden season in the BTCC.
Founded in 2010, a determination to succeed combined with high levels of professionalism meant that success was never far away and the team was rewarded with its first MINI CHALLENGE championship in 2010. Another 41 titles have followed, along with numerous championship runner-up trophies.
Since 2014, the team has shown its ability as a constructor of expertly engineered, high performance race cars. EXCELR8 is solely responsible for the development and production of more than 70 new JCW Class cars for the MINI CHALLENGE UK, which has seen the championship go from strength-to-strength and secure its status as the UK’s finest one make saloon racing championship.
The quality of the cars has also gained international recognition for the team, leading to the formation of MINI CHALLENGE series in both Japan and China for 2019. EXCELR8 has since delivered another 30 cars, and have provided technical support at several exhibition races.
Following a successful debut in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2019, the team designed and built a pair of cars based on the Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance for 2020. This huge undertaking reaped exceptional rewards, seeing the team score points in each of the 27 races across the season, including a pair of outstanding podium finishes.
Expanding to run four cars in 2021, the team secured a first BTCC victory on home soil at Snetterton, with two further wins seeing it remain in contention for the title through to the final meeting of the year.
In 2022, the team won the BTCC Championship with Tom Ingram, along with numerous other achievements for the team
In the MINI CHALLENGE, the team had great success after coming agonisingly close in the previous five seasons, in 2020, the team finally sealed the JCW Class championship – winning the Drivers, Teams, Rookie Cup and Graduate Cup titles and cementing its reputation as one of the most successful teams in UK motorsport. Both the Drivers and Teams titles were successfully defended in 2021.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
As a team, EXCELR8 prides itself on being one of the most inclusive race teams in UK motorsport, with a diverse workforce all focused on the same end goal – doing the job possible both on and off track.
Motorsport has historically been a male-dominated arena but EXCELR8 – as the only team in the BTCC with a female team principal – aims to help lead the way when it comes to increasing the number of women involved in the sport at the highest level.
As an ambassador for the FIA’s Girls on Track UK initiative – launched to inspire young girls and women alike into following a career in motorsport – EXCELR8 boss Justina Williams has been involved in various events to promote how inclusive the sport can be.
A number of female members of staff now hold key positions within the EXCELR8 team, including hands-on roles that have helped the team to reach the very top by securing championship success in the BTCC.
EXCELR8’s work on diversity and inclusion goes much further, with the team proud to have been awarded the Silver Award by the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.
Having also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, it showcases EXCELR8 as a Forces-friendly employer that is keen to provide opportunities for those who have served our country.
Don’t take our word for it.
Read some of our driver testimonials.
“One week on and I’m still over the moon. That final race will stay with me for a long time. As such, I just once again wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for your hard work and commitment to Dan’s racing this year. I know you all put in a lot of effort and a huge amount of hours into getting him the result he so deserved. The teamwork this year has been fantastic and I think the dynamic has been the best to date. I think the relationship Andy and Connor have with Dan has paid a huge part in achieving the results this year for both him and the team. Huge thanks, and I look forward to celebrating this with you all and the team at the awards evening.”
Andy Zelos
“I’ve been racing for EXCELR8 for a few years now and for the 2020 season there was no reason for me to look at any other teams as I’ve been on this journey with the team and it feels like one big family. All of the guys and girls at EXCELR8 have been great to me other the years and they always give it 100% at everything they do and the results speak for themselves. No matter what track, they always give me that super fast race car to get the results. So I can only thank them for what they do behind closed doors and at the race weekends. For me they have been the best to race for over my racing career and hopefully I can continue this journey with EXCELR8 in the 2021 BTCC championship..”
Nathan Harrison
After an incident in the first race of the weekend we were packing up ready to go home but, without hesitation – the EXCELR8 crew loaded the car into the trailer, returned to the workshop and worked overnight to replace the whole front end of the car.
At 4.30am we received a text to say that it was all done and ready to go!
On Sunday morning the car was back in the awning looking as as good as new and we managed to race to a podium finish in Race 2 with a new lap record!
The level of service and dedication, of the team is second to none.
They really are “the best in the business”
Tim Porter
EXCELR8 Motorsport is a gem. They took Toby under their wing and basically poured in all the skills needed to run at the front in an extremely competitive series. We had support on logistics, financing, data, tyre preparation, testing, racecraft, mental prep, setup – lots and lots of setup, licencing and most importantly, sponsorship support .
All in all they are alongside you every step of the way if you need them to be, or not, depending on what you need. The team has strength in depth and a comprehensive stepping stone of series and experience that can take you from a raw novice all the way to 24hr racing, TCR or BTCC, if you can.
There are plenty of teams that take your money, or your sponsors money, and give precious little in return other than the core race support and I can tell you for a fact that EXCELR8 is not like that. Anthony and Justina run a friendly, quality team with high standards of preparation and a strong sporting ethos; whether you are just starting out on your racing journey at the back of the grid or going for wins at the front everybody gets 100% support and their is no hierarchy or favouritism.
But make no mistake – If Excelr8 are on the grid, they are not there to make up the numbers, they are there to Win.
Howard Goodman
As a rookie to car racing EXCELR8 made my son feel at ease immediately. They are dedicated to what they do & nothing is ever a problem. Its a great , driven, family atmosphere the moment you walk in the awning. They deliver professionalism and results!
Alan Maybin
‘EXCELR8 Motorsport are an amazing team to be a part of. Their professionalism and drive to succeed is second to none all the while putting your best interests at the forefront of their priorities. Not only have they helped me to excel as a driver but also as a person with in the Motorsport community and it feels like the sky is the limit with my racing career as a part of their team!’
Richard Newman
“Justina has set up a very competitive & professional race team. The results speak for themselves, winning this year’s multiple championships. Albeit my very short stint with the team towards the end of 2020, I was made to feel at home. I would happily race with EXCELR8 again.”