Tom targets title triumph

Tom Ovenden is targeting next year’s Mini Challenge Trophy title after claiming a dramatic maiden victory at Silverstone on Sunday.

The Adisham driver, 17, snatched the win by just 0.010sec in the final race of the season, beating Nelson King and Louie Capozzoli to the line.

The former Canterbury Academy pupil, son of British Rallycross star Tristan, has now set his sights on the 2022 crown in what will be only his second season of circuit racing.

“I believe I can fight for the title next year after gaining a lot of confidence in the last two rounds, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in,” Ovenden said.

“I always believed we had the pace at the weekend to go for the race win but I knew it would be incredibly difficult from where we started and I can’t believe we did it.

“I’m delighted to finish sixth in the standings in my first season and to end the campaign on

the biggest high of the year is amazing.”

Ovenden, who won two titles in Junior Rallycross last year, had started the reversed-grid

race in eighth and claimed the fastest lap of the race during his charge through the field.

He had earlier taken two thirdplace finishes in his EXCELR8

Motorsport-run Mini having shown great speed throughout the weekend.

“I was just trying to hold third on the last lap of the final race

and somehow found myself racing to the line for the win due to an insane last two corners,” Ovenden added.

“I was 99% sure I had the win when we crossed the line and what a way to end the year.

“I’ve had two good weekends to end the season when my dad is racing himself and not watching, so maybe he should stay away a bit more!”

Tristan was competing at Knockhill in Scotland in rounds four and five of the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy.

The Citroen DS3 driver finished third in the Supercar class on Saturday before dropping to fifth in round five on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Tom’s younger brother, Will, enjoyed success in the Motorsport UK Junior Rallycross category, taking a second-place finish on both days.

■ The next round of the British Rallycross Championship will be held at Lydden Hill on November 6-7, featuring night racing and a fireworks display.

Visit www.lyddenhill.co.uk for details.

Ovenden (left) finished sixth in the Mini Challenge Trophy this year and will return to the series in 2022 with his sights set on the title

Tom Ovenden celebrates his victory at Silverstone - his maiden win in the Trophy series