The penultimate round of the 2025 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK series commenced earlier today at Donington Park - a favourite among drivers and the oldest motorsport circuit still in operation in the UK. Weather at the Derbyshire circuit improved as the day wore on, providing optimum conditions for Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell drivers to battle it out battle it out on track.
Qualifying 1. In Trofeo Pirelli, the formidable Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) continued to show his skill behind the wheel, posting the fastest lap of 1:04.764. In Coppa Shell, Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) built on his impressive pace during practice to land quick qualifying lap, completing the 2.49-mile course in 1:05.801 to secure top spot in his class.
Race 1
Trofeo Pirelli. Impressive early moments by Haymandhra Pillai (Stratstone Colchester) saw him progress up the order, passing John Marcar (Graypaul Birmingham) and Calum Leathem (Charles Hurst) following a spin by the young rookie. Ahead of the pack, Pranav Vangala (HR Owen) pushed hard in the early stages to catch Yates, but the Trofeo Pirelli leader found impressive race pace, lapping down into the 1:04’s to keep Vangala at bay. Following his spin, Leathem worked his way back up the order and passed Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester) and Fedor Samorukov (HR Owen) a few laps later in what was shaping to be an impressive recovery.
Ahead of him, Marcar vied to trade places with Pillai in a battle for 4th position. After a few laps, Marcar capitalised with a calculated move to pass the Stratstone Colchester driver. Leathem caught Pillai shortly afterwards, passing his Trofeo Pirelli rival by the race midpoint.
Leathem then set about chasing after Marcar. The overtaking opportunity presented itself with just minutes left on the clock, and Leatham took his chance to pass the Graypaul Birmingham driver. Just ahead, an even greater opportunity presented itself – Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham) – and a podium place. An intense battle ensued, before contact slowed their progress. Marcar took full advantage and passed the pair with ease. In the final lap, it looked as though Marcar had secured his first podium of the season. But an indomitable Simmerson refused to surrender his podium place, producing an incredible last-ditch move through Craner Curves to pass Marcar and recapture third.
Further up the order, Vangala tried in vain to close down Yates, but without success. Yates crossed the line first to score another race win, as the championship leader drives ever closer towards successive Trofeo Pirelli championship victories.
Coppa Shell
An off by Peter Hunter (Stratstone Manchester) during the first lap as the tightly-knit group entered Redgate promptly sent him to the back of the grid. Further ahead, opportunities appeared for Paul Dixon (Dick Lovett Swindon) who made a great early move around the outside of Steve Dopson (Dick Lovett Swindon) to progress up the order.
Close behind, despite his early setback, Hunter got his head down and worked hard to recover his race. His determination resulted in quick progress, and he caught up to Dixon just a handful of laps later. The pair battled, before Hunter eventually found his opportunity and completed the move to secure 4th in the order.
In the podium places, Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) was busy converting a strong qualification into an impressive overall race position, as he looked to achieve his first podium place of the season. Further up, the returning Jonathan Satchell (HR Owen) skilfully drove to consolidate second place – until an incident with a Trofeo Pirelli driver saw him leave the tarmac and fall to 7th in the order. Hunter took full advantage to move up into the podium places. With just a few laps to spare, Hunter completed his comeback – performing a well-executed move past a determined Howell to secure second spot.
Well ahead, there was little threat to Coppa Shell championship leader Dewhirst, who drove an immaculate race to build a commanding lead ahead of the others. As the chequered flag fell, Dewhirst secured a first victory of the weekend and extended his lead at the top of the Coppa Shell class. Hunter followed in second, followed by Howell, who celebrates his first podium of the season.
