Double Mini champion gets big BTCC break for 2027

Two-time Mini Challenge champion Tom Ovenden is to step up to the British Touring Car Championship for 2027 with Excelr8 Motorsport.

The 22-year-old remains within the same organisation with which he claimed the BTCC-supporting Mini crown in 2025 and 2026, and where he took the role of reserve and development driver for the BTCC operation’s Hyundai i30 N Fastbacks this season.

Ovenden will take the second of the coveted seats backed by Excelr8’s BTCC title sponsor Vertu. This was vacated when veteran Tom Chilton made the decision to hang up his helmet from professional racing, and means that the newcomer will line up alongside two-time BTCC champion Tom Ingram in the colours of the automotive giant.

That appears to put a roadblock into the path of Ricky Collard, who had an impressive 2026 season with Excelr8 but struggled with budget and had been hoping for a Vertu-subsidised drive.

Kentishman Ovenden, who hails from close to Lydden Hill, began his career in motocross before following in the footsteps of father Tristan with a switch to rallycross. He won the British Junior Rallycross title in 2020 before his switch to circuit racing with Excelr8 in 2021 in the Mini Challenge’s entry-level Trophy series, claiming that championship in 2023.

“This really is one of those dream-come-true moments,” said Ovenden. “All the more special because of the fact that I’m joining the grid with the same team that I’ve been part of since I was 16 and took my first steps into circuit racing.

Noah Young, Team Vertu

Photo by: Team Vertu

“When I joined Excelr8 in the Mini Cooper, my goal was always to get to touring cars but I never imagined that things would go the way they have done. It’s mental to think that I’m going to be a BTCC driver!

“I know and trust Excelr8 and the people in the team and, in Tom Ingram, I have the perfect team-mate to learn from during my rookie season. I have no idea what to expect when it comes to results, but I know I’m going to have a good car underneath me and one of the best teams behind me. The Jack Sears Trophy will be an obvious aim, and if I could push for a podium finish then it would be amazing.”

There are now three drivers confirmed for Excelr8’s four-strong Hyundai team for 2027, with Ginetta Junior graduate Noah Young making the giant leap into the BTCC.

Ovenden has already tested the Hyundai in his reserve and development role and will begin his pre-season test programme in the New Year.