[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Former Cooper champion Matt Hammond will make a long-awaited move into the JCW class of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE after securing a late deal with EXCELR8.<\/b><\/p>\n
Hammond will join the grid at the wheel of the car that carried Ronan Pearson to multiple wins during the 2022 campaign as he finally gets the chance to graduate into the premier class – having won the Cooper title back in 2017.<\/p>\n
Since then, Hammond has worked hard to try and make his dream come true, spending a number of years on the sidelines before returning to the Cooper grid in both 2021 and 2022 – securing multiple wins and second in the standings.<\/p>\n
After another season away from the track in 2023, Hammond will now return to action with his JCW debut this weekend at Donington Park ahead of a full-season assault on the series.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve wanted to race in the JCWs since the cars were first introduced but I\u2019ve never managed to make it onto the grid,\u201d he said, \u201cso to now be preparing for my debut is a dream come true.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cEverything has come together very quickly at the last minute, and I have to thank EXCELR8 for the support they have shown me through the years, as well as Derby University who I\u2019ll be working with this season both in the MINI CHALLENGE and elsewhere.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cBecause the deal has been done so late, I haven\u2019t really had chance to think about any goals or targets, and realistically, the opening round is going to be all about building confidence in the car as racing the JCW is going to be a lot different to the Cooper and I\u2019ve only had limited time in the car this year.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just pleased to be on the grid, but I\u2019m certainly not planning to make up the numbers, and I want to move forwards through the season to challenge at the front.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.minichallenge.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG_0138.jpeg” title_text=”IMG_0138″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.minichallenge.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG_0137.jpeg” title_text=”IMG_0137″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Cooper champion Matt Hammond will make a long-awaited move into the JCW class of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE after securing a late deal with EXCELR8.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":25080,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1462,1465],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-jcw"],"yoast_head":"\n