11/08/2026
THAT’S A WRAP ON THE 2026 MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT SEASON! 🏁
What a weekend at Donington Park… and what a VERY proud dad I am.
It seems crazy to think that only 15 races ago, Lauren Fletcher lined up at Brands Hatch for her very first race.
Since then, the improvement in her driving, confidence and mental strength has been incredible to watch.
And she certainly finished the season in style!
🏁 Race 1 – 10th overall
🏁 Race 2 – 9th overall
🏁 Race 3 – 9th overall
Lauren should also have been standing there with a 3rd-place trophy. Because of a guest entry she received the championship points for 3rd, but unfortunately not the actual trophy.
Trophy or not, we know what she achieved.
And then there was Karen…
Karen Scott came along to watch Lauren race for the first time this season.
Now, if I'm being fair, Karen probably hasn't been the biggest fan of the idea of her daughter going motor racing.
Put it this way…
Driving Miss Daisy is basically Fast & Furious to Karen.
So naturally, in true Lauren style, she decides the perfect way to reassure her mum is to get the Mini completely out of shape going into Redgate, directly in front of her, before planting the throttle, catching it and pulling the car straight again.
Welcome to motorsport, Karen!
At least she now knows Lauren CAN drive.
Whether she'll ever relax while watching her is another matter!
There are so many people who have made this season possible.
A massive thank you to Zak Lovatt for building one seriously fast and incredibly reliable little race car. The hours Zak puts into the racing don't just benefit us, but so many other people too.
The reliability of this car has been unbelievable. Through the entire race season AND all the testing, we've had no real issues – and somehow the thing has basically used no oil or coolant all year!
That's some achievement for a hard-driven R53 race car.
A huge thank you also goes to Simon Riley , my business partner at Furlong Street Garage.
Thank you for backing Lauren, supporting what we're doing and, probably most importantly, understanding the pressure racing puts on everything else…
…and forgiving us for the ridiculous amount of workshop space we've taken over!
I also want to say a massive thank you to Richard, Ruth,Katie. John, Margaret and the whole team at Great British Sports Cars Ltd
Without their commitment to Lauren throughout her apprenticeship, their support and all the extra track time she's had driving their Zero, I genuinely don't think we'd be where we are today.
Every lap has helped.
Every bit of advice has helped.
Every person who's given Lauren an opportunity has played a part in what we've watched her achieve this year.
I would also thank the paddock and Marshalls and not forgetting Dave Gibbons Christina Serfling for your massive support
There are so many more people I need to thank – sponsors, friends, family, customers, everyone who's helped in the pits, worked on the car, offered advice, supplied parts, supported us or simply followed Lauren's racing this season.
If I've missed your name, I'm sorry – but please know we appreciate every single one of you.
And finally…
Lauren.
You absolutely NAILED IT this year.
From that nervous first weekend at Brands Hatch to the driver we watched fighting at Donington this weekend, the transformation has been incredible.
But I'm probably proudest of the mental strength you've shown.
You've had good weekends, difficult weekends, spins, new circuits, wet races and plenty of learning along the way…
…and every single time you've got back in that car and pushed forward.
I'm unbelievably proud of you.
Now I can't wait to see what we can get you driving next…
…and what we can convince Zak to build.
Roll on 2027.
LFRacing469 – we're only just getting started.
NAPA Auto Parts UK & Ireland
Carlyle Tools UK & Ireland
Advanced caravan services
M-level
ATR Products
Ccf Fibreglass
EBC Brake Shop
