Former Champion Ant Whorton-Eales to make surprise return to MINI Challenge this weekend at Donington Park!

Former champion Ant Whorton-Eales will make a surprise return to the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE grid this weekend at Donington Park after a last-minute call-up to the JamSport Racing line-up.

Whorton-Eales first competed in the series back in 2018 with JamSport and would secure the title in his fine style after a dominant campaign that included ten victories - win a run of seven-in-a-row in the latter part of the year.

In total, Whorton-Eales holds a JCW win record of more than 40% - the highest figure amongst those drivers to have competed in the class since the current car was introduced back in 2015.

Ant has recently been focusing on his family background of oval racing, and is currently competing in the pinnacle of oval racing, Formula 1 stock cars. Having recently moved up to a red grade roof he’s certainly been getting stuck in but we’re excited for him to be back in the circuit world, even if it is just for one weekend!

The signing of Whorton-Eales for the opening three races of the campaign means the JamSport entry into round one will be five-strong, with the 29-year-old joining previously announced second-year racer Marlo Cordell as well as Directors Cup entrant James Griffith.

The trio are joined by two cars in the new JCW Sport category, where Ben Crossley - who confirmed his entry last month - is joined by Dylan Hotchin, who makes the move into tin top competition having raced last season in GB4.

Ant is looking forward to being back behind the wheel of a Jamsport run JCW and said “It was a last minute call and its been a long time since I have competed in MINI Challenge, however I am confident I can get my eye in throughout qualifying in the morning. “

“Thank you to everyone who has made this happen, lets get those elbows out in the races and put on a good show”

Team principal Jamie Going added, “It’s been a while since Ant has raced with us so I’m looking forward to having the feeling we use to experience when he raced with us. With the decision of Ant racing only being made yesterday, he hasn’t been able to test like everyone else so we’re unsure what to expect however I’m confident that as we progress through the weekend he will be entertaining to watch”