The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK championship returned this weekend for the second round at Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk. Favourable conditions greeted excited spectators, as the Ferrari 296 Challenge drivers tackled a 3-mile ‘300’ circuit configuration well-known for its long straights, heavy braking zones and technical infield sections.
Qualification 1:
In Trofeo Pirelli, the Yates duo topped the order. Reigning champion Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) continued his excellent Free Practice 1 form securing Pole Position with a time of 1:47:717, with Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst) just 0.5-sec behind. In Coppa Shell, season newcomer Christopher Beighton (Graypaul Nottingham) claimed Pole Position with a time of 1:50:949. Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) earned 2nd, posting 1:51:334 to secure his place on the front row.
Race 1:
Trofeo Pirelli. G.Yates made a flying getaway from Pole Position and extended a commanding lead. Further back, Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) seized an overtaking opportunity on Manuela Gostner (Ineco) to claim 4th. Fellow Podium Sitters B.Yates and Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester) pressed on, consolidating 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
As the race progressed, Gostner retaliated and pressed Dewhirst to reclaim the lost place, forcing a mistake from the Dick Lovett driver as the pair entered Bomb Hole to re-enter 4th. Ahead, Dean and B.Yates never looked in any danger, with both driving impressively secure their podium places.
Dominating from the start, G.Yates crossed the finish line first with a perfect first race, some 15-secs ahead of B.Yates in 2nd. Dean completed the podium, continuing his strong start to the season.
Coppa Shell. Beighton started excellently and quickly set about building an impressive lead. At the other end of the grid, Sean Ran (HR Owen) charged up the inside of Riches to claim 2nd from Howell – a spectacular move that gained him four places up the order.
By the halfway mark, Howell had found his pace and caught up to Ran – but pushed too hard in an attempt to regain his position as the pair entered Agostini, resulting in a spin that demoted both drivers down the order. The mishap allowed Steve Dopson (Maranello Sales) and William Bolster (Charles Hurst) to move up to 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Beighton took the chequered flag in a flawless display, delivering an equally commanding victory of that set by G.Yates in Trofeo Pirelli class. Dopson and Bolster rounded off the top three in 2nd and 3rd respectively. A final push from Andrea Seminara (HR Owen) on the last lap saw him overtake Ran to clinch 4th.
Snetterton, Sunday 3 May 2026. Better conditions prevailed following rain overnight on day two of the second round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK series at Snetterton Circuit. Drivers pushed their Ferrari 296 Challenge cars to the limit on a dry track in a final day of intense action for Race 2.
Qualification 2:
In Trofeo Pirelli, Gilbert and Bradley Yates led the standings once again. G.Yates posted a successive fastest qualifying lap time of 1:48:064, whilst son B.Yates kept within touching distance posting a 1:49:128 time to join his father on the front row.
In Coppa Shell, Beighton also secured Pole Position for the second consecutive day with a lap time of 1:51.302 in a tightly fought session where the top four were separated by less than 0.5-sec.
Race 2:
Trofeo Pirelli. G.Yates and B.Yates swiftly pulled away from the rest of the grid to consolidate 1st and 2nd respectively. Further back, Mike Dewhirst moved against Gostner through Agostini to claim 4th in the first lap. The order began to settle as the race wore on. Despite Dewhirst’s attempt to close in on Dean, the Stratstone Colchester driver improved his pace; maintaining track position and keeping Dewhirst at bay.
As the chequered flag fell, G. Yates crossed the line to round off a perfect weekend. B.Yates fought valiantly to close the gap, but was forced to settle for 2nd position. Another excellent drive from Dean secured him a final place on the podium step. The result leaves B.Yates leading the Trofeo Pirelli standings overall.
Coppa Shell. Pole Sitter Beighton raced away from the pack and quickly extended his lead. Behind, 3rd-placed Ran performed a precise move on Bolster through Riches, ascending into 2nd.
Meanwhile, a battle for 6th unfolded between Seminara and John Turner (Stratstone Manchester), but Seminara ultimately held onto his position. Ahead, a battle for 2nd was underway between Ran and Bolster. Their fight brought the pair into Dopson’s view, creating an exciting three-way tussle. Bolster soon found his opportunity to pass Ran, and Dopson followed the Irishman with a near-identical manoeuvre through Agostini just a few laps later.
As chequered flag fell, Beighton crossed the line comfortably ahead in a perfect weekend for the series newcomer. Bolster’s impressive driving secured another visit to the podium in 2nd place. Despite finishing ahead, Dopson received a penalty for contact earlier during the race. This promoted Ran into 3rd - achieving his first ever podium finish in the series.
Next Race:
The Ferrari Challenge UK series moves to Silverstone - home of the British Grand Prix - on 22-24 May. Spectators can watch the race in person or online at live.ferrari.com.
