MAX HALL TO MAKE MINI CHALLENGE JCW DEBUT AT BRANDS HATCH

Max Hall will make the step up to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW at Brands Hatch this weekend (October 7/8) after inking a one-event deal with leading outfit EXCLER8 Motorsport.

The 16-year-old’s graduation into what is highly regarded as the one of the UK’s leading one-make tin top categories will see him compete on the world-famous Grand Prix layout of the Kent circuit, sharing the bill with the British Touring Car Championship.

After sensationally clinching the Junior Saloon Car Championship title last year, Hall has established himself as one of the leading lights in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy this season.

Sitting inside the top six with one event remaining, the teenager has produced a string of eye-catching performances over the course of the year, which includes scoring a pole position, two wins and a podium.

Hall - who is backed by Halls Electrical, Brigade Electronics, Fischer Panda, Durite, PVL UK, Brandfixx and GT Installation - will be hoping to transition his impressive pace across to the more powerful JCW machines.

Boasting Goodyear slick tyres, a tuned two-litre engine and sequential gearbox, the JCW Class is viewed as providing the perfect stepping stone to touring car racing.

Max Hall: “I’m really excited to be jumping up into the JCWs this weekend. As soon as the opportunity presented itself it was a no-brainer in terms of whether or not we were going to do it. This is arguably one of the biggest race meetings of the year on the UK calendar.

“Of course I’m well aware that getting behind the wheel of the JCW is going to be a step up but I’m relishing the challenge. It will also serve as a good reference as we begin to assess what we will do next year as well.

“I’m heading into the weekend feeling optimistic that we can make a good impression and score some solid results. It’s nice to be going there with no real pressure too; I can just enjoy the experience and look to learn as much as possible.”

Qualifying for the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW will take place at 11:05 on Saturday before the opening contest of the weekend - which will be streamed live on the ITV Sport YouTube channel - is scheduled to start at 14:25.

Race two blasts into life at 10:40 on Sunday - again on the ITV Sport YouTube channel - before race three concludes proceedings at 15:20 on ITV4.