A Season of Champions: 2025 Motorsport Overview

Following a season defined by grit, determination, and championship-winning performance, our partners and ambassadors delivered exceptional results. Here’s how 2025 played out on track (and off it).

EXCELR8 Motorsport: Setting New Standards in the BTCC

EXCELR8 Motorsport continued to raise the bar in the British Touring Car Championship, running the Hyundai i30 Fastback Ns, and building on the strong foundations developed in recent years. The team’s Millers Oils half-liveried car saw three drivers behind the wheel: Michael Crees, Ryan Bensley, and, in a much-anticipated BTCC return, Senna Proctor. Despite joining mid-season, Proctor wasted no time making an impact, and storming to a top-10 finish in all three races at Oulton Park, showcasing both his skill and the car’s pace.

Meanwhile, Tom Ingram once again proved a force to be reckoned with, wrapping up his second Drivers’ Championship title in a thrilling season finale that also saw EXCELR8 claim its first-ever Manufacturers’/Constructors’ crown, a landmark moment for the team. Multiple podiums, fastest laps, and all four drivers finishing inside the top ten cemented EXCELR8’s most successful BTCC campaign yet, with Ingram also setting a new all-time record for the most points scored in a single BTCC season. Read more here.

MINI CHALLENGE: Small Cars, Big Battles

The MINI CHALLENGE never fails to deliver drama, and 2025 was no exception. Kicking off the year, our new Millers Oils Challenger Scheme saw rising star Albert Webster selected to drive the Millers Oils-backed JCW Mini. Stepping up from the JCW Sport class, Albert took on this season with confidence, adapting quickly to the faster machinery and fiercer competition. As part of his ambassador role, he proudly represented Millers Oils across the paddock, developing race by race and proving he belongs among the series’ future frontrunners.

Across the field, the MINI CHALLENGE once again delivered everything it’s known for: intense battles, close racing, and plenty of drama across all classes. From the competitive JCW grid to the grassroots Cooper class, every round kept fans on edge. By the season finale, Tom Ovenden was crowned JCW Champion, Archie Johnson claimed the JCW Sport title, and Alex Keens secured the Trophy championship, rounding off another year of MINI CHALLENGE action.

Hannah Chapman: Making Porsche History

2025 was a season to remember for Hannah Chapman. In her debut Porsche campaign, she dominated the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB Clubsport Am Class, securing the title in sensational fashion. Hannah set the tone from the very first round at Donington Park where she made an instant impression with a clean sweep with three wins from three races, and she didn’t stop there. Victories at Oulton Park, Knockhill, and a second hat-trick at Silverstone kept her momentum rolling, before she sealed the championship at Brands Hatch with another double podium.

With 15 wins from 18 races, Hannah didn’t just secure her first championship, she made history as the first female champion in Porsche Sprint Challenge GB. A record-breaking season and an inspiration to racers everywhere.

Dan Zelos: A Promising Porsche Debut

For Dan Zelos, 2025 brought a brand-new challenge as he made his debut in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB RS Pro Class, and as a Millers Oils brand ambassador. Right from the opener at Donington Park, Dan’s adaptability shone through¸ holding his own among experienced competitors and showing rapid progress in his new car. Mechanical issues in round two tested his resilience, but with his team working tirelessly through the night to rebuild the car, he bounced back with a hard-fought top-10 finish in race two, showcasing both determination and teamwork.

Silverstone proved the highlight: fastest in testing, consistently quick in every session, and just shy of the podium with a season-best 4th. Closing out the year at Brands Hatch, Dan maintained competitive, holding steady against the field to round off what has been a promising first season. With clear progress and growing confidence, Zelos’ debut Porsche campaign has laid strong foundations for even greater success next season.

Barry Sime & Sime Racing: Classic Class, Modern Results

Behind the wheel of his Millers Oils-backed 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S, Barry joined a near-capacity 35 car grid in the BARC Classic Touring Car Championship, going head-to-head with 1960s icons such as Minis, Mustangs, and Lotus Cortinas. His first season representing Millers Oils as a brand ambassador, as well as team partner.

After a season-long battle with rival Jake Swann, everything came down to a dramatic Silverstone finale. Sime set the tone in Race 1 by securing the fastest lap to take the championship lead. In the final showdown, he delivered a determined drive, fending off multiple challenges to the finish line. The result sealed second place overall in the championship and clinched the all-important Class C title, his third crown and best-ever full-season finish. A brilliant achievement for both driver and team.

Team Strasse: Champions of the North

It’s been a standout year for Team Strasse, who split their time between Porsche racing and historic rallying. The Leeds-based team’s precision engineering and relentless work ethic were on full display as they fielded three Porsche racers in the Porsche Club Motorsport Championships, including the Millers Oils/Dragon Soop Cayman.

Meanwhile, the Strasse Historic Rally Team powered their Ford Escort to a Championship victory, wrapping up their season in style at the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire. Finishing 23rd overall, 2nd in class, 2nd in class in the British Historic Championship, and most importantly 4th overall, and 1st in class in the Northern Historic Championship, to secure the 2025 championship title ahead of the final round! It was a hard-fought result decided by just 2.2 seconds, but consistency, teamwork, and reliability paid off once again for the Strasse crew. A fitting reward after a season of dedication, late nights, and faultless preparation, and now, all eyes turn to their next challenge: the legendary Roger Albert Clark Rally.

RS Off-Road: Full Throttle Through the Mud

Through the tough terrain, RS Off-Road in their Land Rover Discovery showed what determination (and good lubrication) can achieve. The highlight of their season came at the Scottish Summer Hill Rally, where the team completed over 85 gruelling stage miles across mixed and largely untested ground to finish 27th overall and 2nd in class, a massive comeback after last year’s DNF.

They backed it up at Stone with a class win, battling through deep mud and some spectacular air-time along the way. Despite some unfortunate event cancellations later in the year, RS Off-Road ended the season on a high and are already prepping for an even bigger 2026 campaign.

Derek Tohill: Dominating the 5 Nations Trophy

It was a dominant year for Derek Tohill, who claimed his second Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy title at Lydden Hill. Demonstrating consistency and pace throughout the year, including a maximum points double victory at Mondello Park, Tohill proved himself a formidable competitor once again.

Entering the final round as championship leader, Tohill showed composure and consistency throughout the weekend. After securing second place on Saturday, enough to seal the 2025 crown, he went one better on Sunday, taking victory following a post-race penalty for his rival. A fitting end to another title-winning season built on skill, experience, and reliability.

What’s Next?

With the motorsport season wrapped, the focus now shifts to what’s ahead. From title defences and new driver line-ups to our freshly announced partnership with Santa Pod Raceway, 2026 promises to be another year of performance, progress, and passion.

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