Silverstone National MINI Challenge

Round 6 of the Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy took Ashley Gregory to the Silverstone National circuit for a weekend full of challenges, resilience and determination. Despite battling significant engine and electrical issues, Ashley secured three top 12 finishes and kept herself in the championship fight heading into the final round.

Friday practice drama

The weekend got off to a tough start. In FP1 the recently purchased engine overheated on lap 8, cutting running short. FP2 was missed entirely while the team worked on the car. In FP3, disaster struck at 107mph into turn 1 when the car cut out, forcing Ashley to wrestle it back under control and recover safely. FP4 brought further frustrations as the car continued to cut out over curbs due to an electrical fault. With the issue finally identified, Ashley managed just the last 10 minutes of track time.

It was clear that the lack of engine knowledge and limited running would make the weekend a battle.

Saturday

Ashley lined up P16 out of 19, bringing an end to her streak of top six qualifying performances. The car was clearly down on power, but it was the best she could extract at the time.

Race 1 - Starting P13, based on her second fastest lap time, Ashley initially broke into the top 10 on lap one. Unfortunately, contact at the rear pitched her sideways and she lost all momentum. Despite the setback, she recovered to finish P12.

Sunday

The second race was run in wet conditions, which Ashley had hoped might level the playing field. Despite being down on power, she showed impressive corner speed and chassis balance, climbing from P12 to P10 at the flag.

Race 3 was marred by a huge first-lap crash involving multiple cars, with two drivers requiring hospital treatment. Ashley sends her best wishes to them both. After delays, the race was re-run at the end of the day, where she drove a smart race to move from P16 to P10, once again proving her pace through the corners even if straight-line speed was lacking.

Looking ahead

Despite a difficult weekend, Ashley remains in mathematical contention for the championship, though it is now a long shot. The focus now turns to the finale at Brands Hatch, a sell-out event where she will be back on the grid with her rebuilt race engine.

Ashley is also proud to welcome her new sponsor, Irideum Engineering, whose support will play an important role in the final round of the season.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - IRIDEUM ENGINEERING

Supporting Ashley's campaign in the Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy is her newest partner, Irideum Engineering. Specialists in high-performance design and engineering solutions, exceptional in their area of engineering and project management, Irideum bring precision, innovation and technical expertise that align perfectly with the demands of motorsport.

Just as racing requires constant problem solving and attention to detail, Irideum's work is built on the same principles of accuracy and forward thinking. Their backing provides vital support as Ashley continues to fight in one of the most competitive one-make championships in the UK.

Welcoming Irideum Engineering to the team at Silverstone was an exciting milestone. Together, the partnership represents a shared drive for performance, resilience and results, both on and off the track.

Visit the Irideum website:  https://irideum.co.uk