Three Podiums in Season Opener

Jack Byrne had a strong start to his 2023 racing season taking the podium in all three of his races in the opening rounds of the Vertu Motors Mini Challenge UK Trophy - including his maiden win in the series.

The young Wexford driver set the second quickest time in a record breaking qualifying session at Brands Hatch Circuit at Easter, and a good start in Race 1 allowed him to sweep into the lead on the run to Paddock Hill Bend, extending his lead over the next few laps before the safety car was deployed. When racing resumed on lap 8, Byrne found himself under pressure from the polesitter who got the cutback out of Graham Hill Bend to get down the inside of Byrne for the lead at Surtees and Byrne took the chequered flag in second place.

Byrne produced a controlled drive in an action packed second race of the weekend on Easter Sunday to grab his maiden win in the series with action aplenty behind. Starting from P2 the race was red flagged on the opening lap and on the restart Byrne rocketed into the lead off the line and with the pack fighting for positions behind, he stretched his lead over the fifteen minute race to take his maiden win by more than five seconds.

“I was happy with the first start but then on the restart, it was even better and I was out front and out of trouble” he said. “Every time I looked in the mirrors I could see they were three or four wide and I was able to ease away. We’ve been chasing this win for a while and this is a nice way to do it.”

The reverse grid final race of the weekend saw Byrne starting in P4 and in the battle for second place throughout before an early chequered flag was shown with Byrne crossing the line in third place, and a third podium of the weekend.

“It’s been a strong start to the season for us, three podiums from three races is a good result that we can build on so looking forward to seeing what we can do when we go to Snetterton in May. Running with Graves Motorsport has made a big difference this year and the car feels phenomenal.”

The next rounds of the Vertu Motors MINI Challenge UK Trophy takes place on 13th & 14th May in Snetterton Circiuit, Norwich.