Rounds 9 and 10 of The Vertu Motors Mini Challenge returned from the mid-season break to find itself deep in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, as racing resumed at the 2.1001-mile Croft circuit.
Race One (Round 9)
With nearby Darlington in view beyond the greenery, Jamie Osborne and his number 77 Napa Racing UK Mini JCW Sport had another terrific drive in Saturday’s Round Nine race to finish on the podium.
But, there were mixed emotions after the race, with himself, Tom Ovenden (EXCELR8 Driver Development Programme) and Albert Webster (JRW Motorsport) all being hit with post-race penalties for exceeding track limits which dropped them down the field.
However, after further investigations by the Clerk of the Course, three of the penalties were overturned after the fact. That meant that Jamie did indeed finish in a classified third position, behind Nathan Edwards (EXCELR8 Driver Development Programme) and race winner Tom Ovenden.
Race Two (Round 10)
The second 20-minute Vertu Motors Mini Challenge race took place in front of the ITV4 cameras on Sunday, and saw the number 77 Mini JCW Sport start second behind the EXCELR8 Driver Development Programme Mini JCW Sport of Nathan Edwards.
As the lights went out, Jamie got a good launch off the grid to beat Edwards into the first corner before the duo traded fastest laps during the opening two circuits.
However, the safety car intervened on the third lap, after Ned Anthony (Amigo Motorsport) spun and collected the Napa Racing UK Mini of Alex Solley.
Racing finally resumed on the eighth lap, with just ten-and-a-half minutes of the session remaining.
The duo of Jamie and Nathan Edwards were inseparable at the front of the field, and put on a terrific display of race craft and respect for each other. And, having already taken a little peak at the hairpin, Edwards got by the number 77 Napa Racing UK Mini JCW Sport at the first corner of the eleventh lap.
Jamie fought hard to try to regain the lead, but went on to finish just 0.394s behind Edwards, yet ahead of third-placed title rival Tom Ovenden… the Napa Racing UK Mini being the meat in an EXCELR8 Driver Development Programme sandwich after 15 laps of racing!
With Rounds 9 and 10 complete, Jamie remains at the top of The Vertu Motors Mini Challenge Drivers’ Championship table with 453 points, 38 ahead of closest rival Tom Ovenden.
