Ashley Gregory Clinches a Top 10 Finish Despite Challenging Weekend at Donington Park

The Salford Van Hire, Pecometer, HMS Haulage, Mintech Spares UK, JB Data Engineering, FUCHS UK, Bowker MINI, North Coat Ltd, The Honda Specialist and McGowan Transcriptions supported driver didn't let a variety of challenges over the weekend slow her down and raced on to take vital points in the fourth round of the 2024 MINI Challenge Trophy UK season on Donington Park's famous GP loop.

After a drama free start to the weekend with a solid FP1 on Thursday, Ashley and her team took the decision to make some setup changes going into the second practice session and instantly unlocked more pace, going from 13th in the first session to 7th in the second.

Moving into a wet Saturday and following the improved set up changes, Ashley was looking good for a strong qualifying result having banked a set of good tyres for the end of a drying session. However, oil was put down from a competitor and subsequently the track conditions were compromised and the lap times were hindered. Ashley ended the session in 16th through no fault of her own.

Race one later on didn't start as Ashley would have wanted as she spun onto the grass but despite dropping back to 22nd place, meaning the Gianluca Photography, GymSafe Security, DJB Business Finance, Maybrook Fleet Care, Millennium Supplies LTD, Glass Assist UK, Whiting and Wilson Jewellers, Crossbar Marketing and Toxic Nation driver would have some catching up to do, that is exactly what she did. Ashley worked her way back up to 16th by race end, helped by an impressive middle stint of the race where she lapped as fast as the leading pack.

Sunday started in a much better way for Ashley and her sole privateer team, as she enjoyed a great first race in now perfectly dry conditions. Ashley started from 16th on the grid and gained three positions on an impressive opening lap. Following a safety car intervention she proceeded to pick off the next 4 cars over the remaining laps to finish the race in P9.

The final race on Sunday once again saw Ashley start from 16th on the grid but the race was red flagged shortly after the start due to rainfall and an accident involving multiple cars. The race was restarted in predominantly dry conditions. Unfortunately, Ashley was spun into the gravel at Redgate corner on the restart, putting her down in P21 but she was determined to claw back the ground she'd lost and demonstrated her race craft and raw speed to make up 9 places in the 11 remaining laps, ensuring that for the exception of race three, Ashley has scored points in each race this season so far

"Overall, it has been a bit of a frustrating weekend - the results simply don't reflect just how good the car was at Donington Park. At the end of the day we were the third quickest car in the races and I owe that to the team. We made the right calls with the setup of the car and I am very grateful for their efforts to get the car fixed after the damages sustained at various points over the weekend."

"I also need to say a big thank you to Glass Assist UK for helping us replace the windscreen at the last minute and it's always amazing to have my sponsors there from Salford Van Hire and Gianluca Photography. Their support means a huge amount to me as without them and everyone else's backing, / can't compete. I hope we'll be able to have a even more successful weekend next time out at Croft"

Round five of the MINI Challenge UK Trophy season will take place at Croft on 07-08 September and will be broadcast live on the BARC YouTube channel.

MINI CHALLENGE Trophy UK Round 4

MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Champion points after 12 races