PEARSON RETAINS EXCELR8 ROLE
Mini Challenge rising star Ronan Pearson will in 2023 continue with Excelr8 as its official British Touring Car Championship development driver and a full-time Mini JCW racer.
The 21-year-old Fifer joined Excelr8’s young driver programme in late 2021, signing up with the squad for his third Mini Challenge season. As part of the programme Pearson, as well as spending time with the titlewinning BTCC squad, will sample the Hyundai i30 Fastback N that carried Tom Ingram to 2022’s BTCC title, in an official test next season.
Pearson with Suffolk-based
Excler8 finished fourth in 2022’s JCW standings with three victories, his first wins in the category.
Pearson said: “The opportunity to not only return to the JCWs to chase the title in 2023, but to also strengthen my ties with the BTCC team, is really pivotal for me as a driver as my goal is to try and make it onto the touring car grid for 2024.”
Jason Lockwood also remains with the Excelr8 team as he moves to Porsche Carrera Cup GB for 2023. The 21-year-old has spent three seasons in Mini Challenge with Excler8, scoring his maiden win this year on the way to fifth in the table.
Karting graduate Harvey Riby meanwhile will make his car racing debut with Excelr8 in 2023 in the Mini Challenge Trophy.