Butler-henderson to return after Mini crash

Reigning Mini Challenge champion Charlie ButlerHenderson has won his race against time to secure a new car ahead of this weekend’s season finale at Snetterton.

Butler-henderson’s original F56 JCW machine was written off during an airborne accident on the first lap of the first race of the last round at Oulton Park in August.

The Mini UK ambassador has since secured funding to have an entirely new machine built by Excelr8 Motorsport in time to return to the class and attempt to defend his crown.

Butler-henderson trails David Grady by 12 points, but leads the class by a single point when dropped scores are factored in.

“I’ve had to beg, borrow and call in every favour I’ve ever been owed to get the car ready,” he said. “About the only salvageable bit from the old car was my name sticker on the dash! The new car was completed last Wednesday and we had time for just a half-day test at Snetterton to shake it down, but we managed to get a base set-up on it and the car feels really, really good.

“I had to make it back to the grid, and it’s been blood, sweat and tears, but the times we put in during the test were encouraging, so I’m definitely in with a shot of defending this title.”