TOM OVENDEN TO DEFEND MINI CHALLENGE TITLE WITH EXCELR8
Reigning champion Tom Ovenden will look to defend his MINI CHALLENGE title in 2026 after confirming his return to the grid with EXCELR8.
In what was his second season as part of the JCW class, Ovenden emerged on top of the pile after an action-packed campaign in which he scored an impressive ten podium finishes from 19 starts.
Victories at Snetterton and Croft would prove to be the highlights as Ovenden battled his way to the top of the standings before wrapping up the title at his home circuit of Brands Hatch back in October.
That gave Ovenden his second title since first joining the MINI CHALLENGE family back in 2021, with the 21-year-old having also taken the Cooper championship in 2023 – also with EXCELR8
Having joined the likes of Ant Whorton-Eales and Nathan Harrison in winning both class titles, Ovenden now goes into 2026 seeking to become only the second driver to successfully defend the JCW crown – a feat only previously achieved by former team-mate Dan Zelos.
Ovenden’s title defence will see him extend his relationship with EXCELR8 into a sixth season and will also see him retain his place as a Development Driver for the team’s successful programme in the British Touring Car Championship.
As a result of changes made to the MINI CHALLENGE technical regulations over the winter, Ovenden will be at the wheel of a new-look car based on the latest F66 version of the MINI Hatch, with his season getting underway at Donington Park in late April.
Tom Ovenden said: “I’m delighted to announce my return to the MINI CHALLENGE to defend my title, and to be continuing my successful relationship with EXCELR8.
“Last season was fantastic for me, and lifting the championship at Brands Hatch on the final weekend was a dream come true after a huge effort from the whole team.
“As the defending champion, I know that I’ll have a bit of a target on my back in 2026 as the driver everyone else wants to beat, but I’m going into the season full of confidence and with my focus firmly on winning a second JCW title.”
Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said: “We were all thrilled to see Tom lift the JCW title last season and it’s fantastic that he will return this year to try and defend it.
“We have seen Tom grow as both a driver and a man since his first race with us back in 2021 and fully expect him to be right in the mix for honours again during the new season.”
Ovenden is the second driver to be confirmed in EXCELR8’s JCW line-up after Turkish racer Cemil Cipa.
