Mini star Tom dreams big

Tom Ovenden says it would be a “dream” to score a home podium live on ITV4 this weekend as the Mini Challenge heads to Brands Hatch.

The Adisham racer, 20, has stepped up to the headline JCW category this season after sealing the Cooper title last year. He secured a maiden rostrum finish at the opening round at Donington Park and sits third in the standings ahead of the second event.

The former Junior Rallycross champion enjoyed a strong weekend in the East Midlands, qualifying on pole before finishing fourth in race one and third in the second encounter. But the ex-motocross rider now wants to repeat that success and says another podium finish in front of the TV cameras in West Kingsdown would be “very cool”.

The event will be shown live on ITV4 on Sunday as the channel continues its extensive coverage of the British Touring Car Championship, which the Mini Challenge supports.

“It would be a dream to get back on the podium at Brands, especially in the live TV race,” Ovenden said.

“I need to make the most of free practice on Friday, get comfortable in those sessions, and then hopefully have a good showing in qualifying again. “If I’m on the podium this early in the season again, I will be pleased.”

Ovenden has not driven a Jcw-spec Mini at Brands Hatch before but has extensive experience of the circuit thanks to his three seasons in the Cooper class.

He works at the circuit as an instructor at race weekends, helping run the SIM Motorsport simulation centre on Colin Chapman Way.

He is targeting the Rookie title in this year’s championship, and currently has a 16-point lead in that category over Tunbridge Wells’ Nathan Edwards. “I’m now thinking a top three in the overall title would be really nice as well, as that’s where we are sitting at the moment after round one,” Ovenden said.

“But I will keep my feet on the ground and just keep working as hard as I can.

“It was really tough to get on the grid - I never thought we’d get in a Cooper - let alone a JCW - so getting pole at Donington was very unexpected.” On Bank Holiday Monday, Ovenden drove his family’s Ford Escort MK1 RSR at Castle Combe in the Modified Ford series.

He finished runner-up in race two after taking a fourth-place finish in the first event. Ovenden’s race is due to get under way at 3.10pm on Sunday.

In the BTCC, Platts Heath charger Jake Hill is third in the standings heading into his home event, 16 points adrift of series leader Tom Ingram.