Bowker Mini Sponsors Young Rossendale Racing Prodigy

Bowker MINI has announced its sponsorship of young Lancashire racing driver Ashley Gregory.

19 year-old Ashley, from Rossendale, has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the ranks in British motorsport since beginning her racing career at the age of just 10.

The three-time Junior Ministox Champion will be one of only two female competitors in this year’s Vertu MINI Challenge Series. The partnership with the Blackburn and Preston-based car centres means Bowker MINI will appear on Ashley’s race suit and car and the display banner outside the awning at events.

Ashley said: “Racing is my life; it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. Bowker’s support is a wonderful validation of my efforts and achievements so far. The Vertu MINI Challenge is a real step up for me. But with the right people behind the team, it’s exciting to dream about what we can achieve together.”

Ashley has loved speed since she was 7 when she raced for fun on a quad bike on homemade tracks. By 2015, she was competing in Junior Ministox, driving against opponents up to 16 years old.

A crash in only her third race failed to halt her progress as she won the overall Junior Ministox Championship three times over the next four years. Despite being only 19, Ashley has already claimed over 120 trophies and secured multiple significant race victories.

In 2019, Ashley debuted in the Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) Scholarship, where she was a finalist. Following this, she and her family decided to compete independently. By 2020, Ashley had already achieved two podium finishes in the JSCC, and by the following year, she added a race win and several fastest lap times to her achievements.

This season, Ashley is competing in the prestigious Vertu MINI Challenge Series for the second year. Her entry into the series in the first year marked a significant step up in competition. Ashley finished P12 in class and enjoyed two rookie wins. A successful season she now hopes to build on.

Jonathan Rogan for Bowker MINI said: “We are thrilled to support a young talent like Ashley. It’s important that Lancashire encourages young people with such a passion for motorsport in the county. Ashley has already enjoyed enviable success. We look forward to seeing more podiums and trophies this season. We are proud to be part of Ashley’s journey.”

With the backing of Bowker MINI, Ashley is set to further her racing career with robust support and resources, underscoring the motor group’s commitment to nurturing local talent and promoting excellence in motorsport.