Sunoco Challenge paused for shortened 2020 campaign

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Anglo American Oil Company, the driving force behind the popular Sunoco Whelen Challenge and Sunoco 240 Challenge, has announced the prize drive scheme will be paused for the 2020 racing season.

The prize has sent 20 talented drivers to race in the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona and BMW Endurance Challenge At Daytona since 2010, including names such as Felipe Nasr, Jonny Adam, Rick Parfitt Jnr, and current Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award winner Johnathan Hoggard.

However, with a shortened racing season just getting underway and with travel restrictions being implemented as necessary, the difficult decision has been made to halt the programme for this year.

Both the Sunoco Whelen Challenge and Sunoco 240 Challenge are planned to return for the 2021 season, with new rules celebrating what will be the tenth 240 Challenge winner introduced to add an extra element to what is arguably the most valuable prize available in UK motorsport.

The Sunoco Challenge is run thanks to the support of Sonny Whelen of Whelen Engineering Inc, with Anglo American Oil Company donating the entry fee from all Challenge hopefuls, as well as donations from members of the public, to Team Fox, the fundraising arm of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Supporters can still make donations to Team Fox via https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate.

Anders Hildebrand, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd[/caption]

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly but with championships having to compromise to ensure they fit a season of racing in, coupled with intermittent travel restrictions across various nations, we decided it was the right thing to postpone the Sunoco Challenges for this year.

“In 2021 we will crown our tenth Sunoco 240 Challenge winner, so we’ll announce some exciting new rules to make it an even more special occasion! For now however, we hope everyone stays safe and healthy and we look forward to announcing our future plans at a later date.”

To find out more about the Sunoco Challenge please visit: http://www.sunocochallenge.com/

To find out more about Team Fox, is the grassroots community fundraising program of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, please visit: https://www.michaeljfox.org/teamfox


What are the Sunoco Challenges?[/caption]

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Previous Sunoco Whelen Challenge Winners:

2009 – Derek Johnston
2010 – Ross Kaiser
2011 – Filipe Nasr
2012 – Ivan Bellarosa
2013 – Bradley Smith
2014 – Phil Keen
2015 – Jonny Adam
2016 – Seb Morris
2017 – Stuart Middleton
2018 – Linus Lundqvist
2019 – Johnathan Hoggard

Previous Sunoco 240 Challenge Winners:

2011 – Aaron Steele
2012 – Lawrence Davey
2013 – Lewis Plato
2014 – Oskar Krüger
2015 – Paddy McClughan
2016 – Max Bladon
2017 – Rick Parfitt Jnr.
2018 – Kyle Reid
2019 – Robbie Dalgleish

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Gearbox issues bring Hoggard’s impressive Daytona Debut to premature halt

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Johnathan Hoggard showed exactly why he is the 2020 Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner, delivering a sterling performance on his Daytona debut despite having an injured knee.

The 19-year-old came into the weekend on the back foot having had to switch teams, moving to Precision Performance’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3, after Rick Ware Racing had to withdraw their Multimatic Riley LMP2 chassis from the 58th running of the world famous 24-hour race.

Getting his first experience of driving the Italian GT car during Thursday’s Free Practice session, Johnathan demonstrated why he won the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, with his ability to rapidly adapt to any racing car evident from how quickly he got comfortable, not only with a new car, but also a new team and team-mates.

With regular driver Brandon Gdovic qualifying the car in 14th place in the GTD class he was back behind the wheel as the flag fell at 1:40pm local time to start the historic twice around the clock race. Before the hour was out Johnathan was behind the wheel for a double stint and quickly set fast times, moving up to P6 when he handed the car over to bronze driver Mark Kvamme. His pace all the more impressive after sustaining a knee injury during driver change practice on Friday afternoon, requiring him to right foot brake.

Sadly, the car would sustain heavy damage when Eric Lux was hit from behind whilst entering the pits by the 98 Aston Martin during the sixth hour of running. With a large part of the Aston lodged in the Lamborghini’s rear suspension, a lengthy pit stop was required to repair the damage.

The car rejoined four laps down with the right hand side of the rear diffuser missing as a result of the incident, severely affecting the car’s aerodynamics. With Johnathan back behind the wheel for a second stint at 9pm, he once again impressed as he set a time of 1:46.660 to record the team’s fastest lap of the race.

Excellent strategy and some solid drives from Brandon, Eric, Mark and Johnathan allowed the team to regain a lap, but the car ground to a halt after 608 laps as Johnathan was in the closing stages of his third double stint. After investigating the problem in the garage, the team quickly diagnosed the gearbox was the cause and had no choice but to retire the car with four hours of the race left to run.

Johnathan Hoggard

“I was very excited to come to the ROAR, unfortunately it didn’t really go to plan and there was a last-minute switch to the PPM Lamborghini for the race. We started off well, but I had a knee injury which put another spanner in the works, which meant we had to figure out a new way to do driver changes and then I also had to learn to right foot brake.

Overall, it’s not the result the team wanted or deserved. It has been a great experience, racing during the night-time is mega, I’ve really enjoyed it. I need to say a massive thank you to Whelen and Anglo American Oil Company for giving me this opportunity, it has been great.”

Anders Hildebrand, Managing Director – Anglo American Oil Company

“At the ROAR we were in the LMP2 car but the pro driver had an accident, and the bronze driver left, so we tried to find a quick bronze driver with some money but we couldn’t, so we then went to PPM who ran Linus Lundqvist last year and they had a seat available for Johnathan. Of course, they knew the performance of our winners, so they said ‘yeah, we want him!’

“We were running tenth, unfortunately we lost a number of laps due to the shunt with the Aston Martin. That said, the lap times Johnathan was able to put in, despite all this damage, was just fantastic.  He’s a very special driver and it’s just amazing to be involved at such an early stage with these guys.”

Dalgleish Delights on Daytona Debut

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2020 Sunoco 240 Challenge winner Robbie Dalgleish showed his class in the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge At Daytona race on Friday, making up a staggering 14 places off the line to put the Fast Track BMW in with a chance of the podium.

With the BMW M4 GT4 suffering electrical issues during final practice on Thursday that persisted for qualifying, Robbie was not able to set a time during the 15-minute session. This meant the blue and white Sunoco branded car had to start at the back of the GS pack, in 31st on the grid.

With no pressure, and under instruction to enjoy the moment, Robbie put in a superb performance to move forward from the moment the flag fell. Quickly finding his rhythm he scythed his way through the field, moving up 14 places to hand the car over to BMW Junior driver Beitske Visser for her double stint. Unfortunately, soon after the car picked up a puncture due to debris on the circuit. The resulting pit stop dropped them down the order, further compounded by a second puncture.

With fellow Scot Stevan McAleer completing the race with a double stint the team were left wondering what could have been, finishing three laps down in 22nd place.

Robbie Dalgleigh

“It wasn’t to be but I’m happy with my stint and it has been an amazing experience. The full course yellow came out and we pitted and refuelled but didn’t change tyres so we were sitting in P12 and ready to go. We were in the perfect position because we were bang on for three stops but then two laps later, we got a puncture. With the puncture we had problems with air pressure, so we lost a couple of laps and then half an hour later we got another puncture.

“I’ve been living in a different world since the beginning of January. I don’t really want it to end but who knows, this could be the start of something. The team were amazing, we win together, we lose together, and my team-mates have been great as well.

I would never be here If it wasn’t for this programme so thanks to Sunoco for continually running the Challenge and allowing drivers like me to have this opportunity.

Anders Hildebrand, Managing Director – Anglo American Oil Company

“It was stunning. With the issues in qualifying and the sensor failing, Robbie had to start second from last and it’s always nervous. There’s always a lot of action into the first corner and the concertina effect but there were no crashes and Robbie was able to pick them off one-by-one.

“Bringing the car from 31st to 17th, he’s a class driver. Coming from Mini Cooper with 130bhp into a GT4 car with four times the power, on 31-degree banking, at 170 miles per hour – I’m impressed.”

Rick Ware Racing number 2 Livery Design

Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award winner to race LMP2 in Rolex 24 At Daytona

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Sunoco Whelen Challenge award winner Johnathan Hoggard will race an LMP2 with Rick Ware Racing at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, his reward for winning the prize drive after a superb season of competition.

While the team is best known for its NASCAR exploits, it took second place in LMP2 Am in the opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series in November, despite freight issues ahead of the contest.

Johnathan will team up with an impressive trio of racers in the team’s Riley-Multimatic Mk 30 LMP2 car. Joining him will be Indycar and sportscar racer James Davison, and the team’s current Asian Le Mans Series racers Cody Ware, who also competes in NASCAR, and Mark Kvamme, a Rolex 24 podium finisher in 2017.

Finishing vice-champion in the BRDC British F3 Championship, Johnathan then went on to claim the prestigious Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, which will earn him a drive in both a Red Bull Formula 1 car and Aston Martin Vantage GTE machinery.

The 19-year old will travel to Daytona right after the start of the New Year for the fabled Roar Before the 24 over the weekend of January 3 – 5, where he will turn his first laps of the 3.56-mile Sports Car Course at the famous Speedway.

The prize drive is courtesy of the generosity of Sonny Whelen, who has helped a number of European racers make a name for themselves in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Johnathan Hoggard

“It’s really exciting and quite unexpected, but I am really happy to be racing a prototype. It’s more like a single-seater so hopefully, I’ll adapt to it quite quickly, so I just have to learn the track as quickly as possible. I’ve done a bit of sim work, but it is never going to be like real life. It’s good to learn the layout so at the Roar I can learn everything in the limited time I have.

“It will be a different experience because all your team mates are working together on one car to ensure that you are able to get the best possible result. Normally in single seaters, you are the only driver you only have to worry about, however with an extra three team mates it is definitely going to make it very interesting.

“This drive wouldn’t be possible without Anders, Sonny, and Rick being so generous. Coming into the year this was something that would have been great so to win it and be in the position I am now is incredible.”

Anders Hildebrand, Owner, Anglo American Oil Company

“The Sunoco Whelen Challenge once again went down to the wire and we are very pleased that 2019 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award winner Johnathan Hoggard is our 11th winner. I monitor all racers in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and the Pro drivers in the British GT Championship and I must say that Johnathan stood out from a very early stage. He consistently put in pole positions and fastest laps and apart from a low scoring round at Spa he consistently fought for race wins, scoring seven victories which is a remarkable achievement in a fiercely competitive Championship.

“When we were approached by Rick Ware Racing who were offering Johnathan a competitive LMP2 drive we accepted it immediately. The Riley-Multimatic Mk 30 LMP2 race car and strong driver line-up makes it a very competitive package and together with the experienced race team means it is very promising.

“In 2018 the Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner, Stuart Middleton finished 2nd overall, so, although an LMP2 might not be able to win overall, I feel that we should be able to fight for a class podium finish and maybe even a win.”

Rick Ware, Owner, Rick Ware Racing

“We’re really happy to have Johnathan join our programme for the upcoming Rolex 24 hours At Daytona, to round out a strong driving line-up. We feel honoured that Rick Ware Racing was tasked with carrying on the strong tradition of running Sunoco Whelen Challenge winners in the Rolex 24, which has churned out some great racers in the sport. RWR would like to thank both Sonny Whelen of Whelen Engineering and Anders Hildebrand of Anglo American Oil Company for their belief in our programme.”

Robbie Dalgleish wins Daytona drive after season-long battle goes to wire

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In a tense battle which went right to the final weekend for five separate championships, Robbie Dalgleish secured the once-in-a-lifetime drive at Daytona International Speedway in January as he was also crowned Mini Challenge Cooper Pro champion.

Coming into the past weekend (October 19/20), five different drivers remained in contention for the prize drive in IMSA’s four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona, in a Sunoco-liveried car, thanks to the Anglo American Oil Company.

At Snetterton, the final races for the F3 Cup, and the Mini Challenge JCW and Cooper Pro drivers helped the final standings take place. Despite podium finishes and championship titles for Cian Carey in the former, and James Gornall in JCW, neither managed to maintain their average point score to finish ahead of Kelvin Fletcher, whose GT4 title in the British GT Championship left him right in the mix.

With only partial points on offer in the Cooper Pro class, Toby Goodman also fell out of contention, leaving just series-rival Robbie Dalgleish and Fletcher in with a chance of the prize. However, with a second-place finish in the final race of the season, Dalgleish claimed not only the championship title but also the Challenge seat.

Robbie follows last year’s Sunoco 240 Challenge victor Kyle Reid in claiming the drive after taking the Mini Challenge Cooper Pro title and will now begin preparations for a step into GT4 machinery around the fabled Daytona International Speedway road course.

The prize drive is available thanks to the generosity of the Anglo American Oil Company, which has helped a number of European racers enjoy a life-changing drive at Daytona. The entry fee from all Challenge hopefuls, as well as donations from members of the public, is given to Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research, a worthy cause.

Final Sunoco 240 Challenge standings (average points per race):

Robbie Dalgleish (Mini Challenge Cooper Pro): 98.53
Kelvin Fletcher (British GT Championship – GT4 Am: 96.36
James Gornall (Mini Challenge JCW): 95.58
Rob Keogh (Ginetta G40 Cup): 94.71
Toby Goodman (Mini Challenge Cooper Pro): 94.00

Robbie Dalgleish, 2019 Sunoco 240 Challenge winner

“At the start of the year we said we wanted to win the Mini Challenge, Scottish Mini Cooper Cup, and the Sunoco 240 Challenge, but that wasn’t really realistic, yet we’ve gone and done it!

“It was such a tense weekend – everything that has gone on has been crazy. If someone had said ‘you’d write a car off, get a spare car, all the politics…’ you wouldn’t believe it, but we’ve got the result. I have to give a big shout out to the team, my dad has set up the car, my mum has supported me so much, and my sponsors Evolution BPS without whom we wouldn’t even be racing.

“I am ecstatic to win the Sunoco 240 Challenge. I just have to let my new job know that I’ll be off to Daytona in January!”

Anders Hildebrand, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd

“We have another Mini Challenge champion! Sometimes you might think we want someone from another series, but it demonstrates that the winners of the Cooper Pro class are really good and that they can make the jump from the low-powered Mini to a GT4 car without any problem.

“I’ve been impressed with Robbie’s racing this year. He doesn’t make mistakes and that is how you win championships as well as the Challenge and his consistency and speed have been impressive all season long. It will be great to have another group of mad Scottish people along with us in January too!

“This prize is something to give back to the racers. I know how hard it was when I raced myself, so to win something like this where you go to another continent and race a car with a new team is quite an experience. It is all paid for, the flights, licence, race suit, everything. It is a life-changing prize that the drivers will never forget, even if they don’t go any further in their career.”

To find out more about the Sunoco Challenge please visit: http://www.sunocochallenge.com/

To find out more about Team Fox, the grassroots community fundraising program of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, please visit: https://www.michaeljfox.org/teamfox

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully-funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Sunoco 240 Challenge heads to the wire as five drivers remain in hunt for Daytona drive

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In one of the closest and keenly fought Sunoco 240 Challenge seasons for some time, the prize drive at Daytona could go to one of five drivers racing in four separate championships.

Moving into pole position is Robbie Dalgleish, who has been virtually ever-present in second place over the past few months. The Mini Challenge Cooper Pro driver took pole, a win, and third place at Donington Park last weekend to claim top spot in the standings.

He is closely followed by Toby Goodman, who had two wins and a third place, continuing his fantastic run of form. Both he and Robbie have one last weekend of action at Snetterton where they must continue their front-running performances to have a chance of winning the drive at Daytona.

The dark horse in the battle is British GT Championship GT4 Pro-Am champion Kelvin Fletcher, who’s strong end to the season has put him in third place. If Robbie and Toby stumble, reducing their average score, he could emerge on top.

After holding top spot for much of the season, Cian Carey drops to fourth place after the penultimate weekend of the F3 Cup campaign, despite taking another podium finish in race one at Donington Park.

Also in action at Snetterton later in October is James Gornall, racing in the Mini Challenge JCW category. ‘Jiggy’ sits sixth currently, but with Rob Keogh’s season over, he cannot challenge for the win, so a big finish for Jiggy could push him into first place as well.

Whatever the outcome, it has been another brilliant battle across a number of race championships, proving those at the top of the Sunoco Challenges really do have to earn their success.

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Johnathan Hoggard claims Sunoco Whelen Challenge and drive at Daytona

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After a thrilling season-long battle, Johnathan Hoggard has secured the Sunoco Whelen Challenge and with it a dream drive in the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen Engineering Inc and the Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Consistently quick throughout the year in the competitive BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, Johnathan not only took seven victories – more than anyone else – but also seven pole positions and eight fastest laps, all of which propelled him to Challenge success.

The 18-year old not only follows Linus Lundqvist, who won the Sunoco Whelen Challenge in 2018 after racing in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, but also joins names such as Jonny Adam, Felipe Nasr, Seb Morris, and Phil Keen in a funded seat at the prestigious race.

It will be Johnathan’s first drive in endurance racing, but he will no doubt prove himself quick around the 5.73km sports car configuration of the famous Daytona International Speedway.

The prize drive is courtesy of the generosity of Sonny Whelen, who has helped a number of European racers make a name for themselves in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

While Johnathan becomes the 11th Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner, it is all still to play for in the Sunoco 240 Challenge, where a number of competitors are in contention for a drive in the BMW Endurance Challenge contest, held before the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The Anglo American Oil Company donates the entry fee from all Challenge hopefuls, as well as donations from members of the public, to Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research, a worthy cause.

Final Sunoco Whelen Challenge standings (average points per race):

Johnathan Hoggard: 91.56
Clement Novalak: 79.38
Ayrton Simmonds: 74.06
Jonny Cocker: 71.00
Seb Priaulx: 61.65

Johnathan Hoggard, 2019 Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner

“I’ve watched the Rolex 24 for many years with drivers like Fernando Alonso and Felipe Nasr racing, so to be in it is a great opportunity and I am really thankful for it.

“I enjoy watching endurance racing; it’s a completely different style of competing. It isn’t just about outright speed it’s also about calculations, strategy, and things like that. It’s going to be a great experience.

“I wasn’t expecting to win the Challenge to be honest. Halfway through the season I was fourth or fifth, so those pole positions and fastest laps really can change the whole challenge around.

“It’s great what Whelen Engineering and the Anglo American Oil Company are doing with this drive they give away. I can’t thank them enough. It is great they are donating the prize.”

Anders Hildebrand, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd

“What has been impressive about Johnathan this year is that he is always quick. When he is on song, he gets fastest laps, pole positions, and wins, and that is how the Challenge points system is built; You have to be consistent to win, but you get a boost for the fastest laps and poles.

“If you are going to be a top-notch racer you have to be able to qualify and put in fast laps when needed, so I think he will be a very good ambassador for the Sunoco Whelen Challenge.

“He follows in the footsteps of Felipe Nasr and Linus Lundqvist, who won the prize last year. It is nice to see how a Formula 3 driver can jump into a GT3 or DPi and be on the pace straight away and I think Johnathan will show us what he is made of at Daytona.”

To find out more about Team Fox, is the grassroots community fundraising program of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, please visit: https://www.michaeljfox.org/teamfox

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Thrilling season-long battle for once-in-a-lifetime Daytona drive comes down to Donington Decider

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The Sunoco Whelen Challenge will come down to the wire at Donington Park in two weeks’ time (September 14/15), as a three-way battle to race at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona will finally be settled.

Clement Novalak and Johnathan Hoggard, both front-runners in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, have consistently been at the sharp end of the Challenge standings this season. However, Ayrton Simmons has been within touching distance of the top spot with a consistent run of late, coupled with outstanding weekends at Spa and Silverstone.

The three drivers are separated by just five average points heading into the final two races, so a strong or disappointing weekend could swing things one final time. Currently, with the lead, Hoggard simply has to maximise his performance to remain on top, which is exactly what the teenager will be trying to do as he attempts to overhaul a 52-point gap in the BRDC F3 standings.

Novalak, meanwhile, is in an interesting position. Needing to simply stay in touch with Hoggard to ensure he remains on top of the championship would net him the BRDC F3 title but would not be enough to vault him back into top spot in the Sunoco Whelen Challenge. Therefore, he cannot rest if he wants to compete at the Daytona International Speedway in January.

For Simmons, things are clearer. He needs to top the times in qualifying to tie Hoggard in the Jack Cavill Pole Position cup, and with a 61-point deficit to Novalak in the championship, also needs a strong weekend to cause an upset. If he can achieve this then he could just steal the Challenge title in the process.

Whatever way it pans out at Donington Park in September, it has definitely been another fantastic Sunoco Whelen Challenge with three talented young drivers aiming to emulate 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship victor Linus Lundqvist in appearing in the legendary Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Johnathan Hoggard, first place, 85.36 average points

“The BRDC British Formula 3 Championship is going well and I’m currently leading the Sunoco Whelen Challenge too. I am looking forward to seeing how it is going to pan out. I have been quite good at getting pole positions and points for fastest laps in the races so I’m looking forward to the final rounds of the season at Donington Park.

“Winning would be a good opportunity. Racing at Daytona would be different to driving a single-seater and having never raced in America it would be a great experience and open up a lot of opportunities. I want to win the drive and I’m going to give it my everything.”

Clement Novalak, second place, 82.14 average points

“It would be a cracking experience to drive around Daytona and race for 24 Hours. It would mean a lot, obviously, but we have to finish the work here first. We have been very consistent this season, with a few wins and lots of podiums, so hopefully we can keep doing that.

“Finishing the year on top would make me happy. Winning the Challenge would give you lots of exposure and people look at you as a driver for the future whether in the States or Europe. Winning the championship and the Challenge would help me move forwards to next year. It puts your name on the map wherever you are.”

Ayrton Simmons, third place, 80.36 points

“The step up from Formula 4 has been good. I think I have adapted well to a new car and some new circuits, so I am looking forward to the end of the season.

“The Sunoco Whelen Challenge is something I keep an eye on every weekend because it has an important prize at the end of it. Going to the States and racing there would put your name on the map. I haven’t raced in the US before so it would be cool to see how things work out there. I’m going to be pushing to get that Daytona drive and I’ll be giving it my all.”

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully-funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Summer shake up for Sunoco Challenges as Goodman and Simmons make progress

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Once again, It is all change at the top of the Sunoco Whelen Challenge and Sunoco 240 Challenge standings, with only a few points separating the top of both after an enthralling few weeks of racing.

It is still almost impossible to tell who will come out on top to win those Rolex 24 At Daytona and BMW Endurance Challenge At Daytona drives as the thrilling battles to lead the standings continue.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge: Simmons remains in contention

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship drivers continue to remain the focal point of the Sunoco Whelen Challenge. Series leader Clement Novalak returns to the top of the standings thanks to a podium finish in Belgium.

Hot on his heels is rival Ayrton Simmons who had an outstanding weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, taking a win, a podium, and two pole positions, which puts him right back in contention with only one and a half average points separating him and Clement.

A difficult weekend for Johnathan Hoggard has pushed him into third place despite his perfect point-scoring weekend at Donington Park, but a strong trip to Brands Hatch could change that quite quickly. Jonny Cocker, in the British GT Championship, is only two average points behind Johnathan after he finished seventh in GT3 at Spa, with Seb Priaulx fifth after a sixth-place finish in GT4 in the same contest.

Click here for the complete Sunoco Whelen Challenge standings.

Sunoco 240 Challenge: Carey remains on top whilst Goodman jumps to third.

It could not be closer in the Sunoco 240 Challenge where Cian Carey holds onto the lead despite no track action over the last few weeks. However, it remains an extremely tight fight for the top spot as Robbie Dalgleish closed the gap to Cian with only 1.96 average points between the pair after the Mini Challenge Cooper Pro driver stood on each step of the podium in three races at Brands Hatch.

Toby Goodman has vaulted himself into third place after a superb weekend in Kent as well. He took two wins and a third place, as well as a pole position, to move 0.12 average points ahead of Dominik Jackson, who bounced back from a DNF in race one at Oulton Park to take a win and second place in the Radical Challenge Championship, keeping his hopes alive.

Another driver on the move is British GT Championship competitor Kelvin Fletcher. He leaps ahead of Scott McKenna, who has not raced in the previous few weeks. Just five average points cover fifth to 11th in the standings, so a strong weekend for Jerome De Sadeleer, Nathan Harrison, Rob Keogh, James Gornall, or Alastair Barclay will bring them right back into the mix.

Click here for the complete Sunoco 240 Challenge standings.

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and GT4 Pro

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK

Jackson and McKenna climb back into contention while Hoggard reasserts control in Sunoco Challenges

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Last month the Sunoco Whelen Challenge and Sunoco 240 Challenge standings had changed drastically, and things are no different this time out.

At this rate, neither contest will have a clear victor until the very end of the season, when two deserving winners will race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona, respectively.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge: Hoggard leapfrogs into lead

A perfect weekend at Donington Park, from an eligible points-scoring point of view, means Johnathan Hoggard climbs from fourth place to the lead of the Sunoco Whelen Challenge standings. Taking two pole positions and two wins in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, the youngster heads series rival Clement Novalak by almost seven average points.

Meanwhile, another podium finish for Jonny Cocker in GT3 in the British GT Championship keeps him in third place, ensuring that neither Johnathan nor Clement can relax. Just behind him, Seb Priaulx’s GT4 victory keeps the youngster in contention and puts him ahead of Ayrton Simmons, with the leading five starting to pull clear of the rest of the pack.

Click here for the complete Sunoco Whelen Challenge standings

Sunoco 240 Challenge: McKenna races forward while Jackson dominates

With the leading duo of Robbie Dalgleish and Cian Carey not in action over the past few weeks, their close battle atop the Sunoco 240 Challenge standings has not changed, however things are on the move behind.

Dominik Jackson had a fantastic trip to Spa in the Radical Challenge Championship, taking three wins to move up one spot into third place. Scott McKenna, meanwhile, took two victories in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge at Zandvoort to jump from 12th to fourth, narrowly moving ahead of James Gornall, who had a second and fourth in the Mini Challenge UK JCW series at Donington Park.

Click here for the complete Sunoco 240 Challenge standings

What are the Sunoco Challenges?

The Sunoco Challenges provide an accurate assessment and comparison of performances across multiple championships during any given season. Points are awarded for qualifying and race results, including fastest lap, which are then converted into an individual average score for each competing driver over the course of a full campaign.

That means each race weekend offers drivers an equal chance to climb and drop down their respective Sunoco Challenge table. It also ensures that performances are taken into consideration across an entire season while placing less emphasis on one-off or unfair results.

This year’s Sunoco Whelen Challenge champion will win a fully funded race seat at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona, courtesy of Whelen. Sunoco’s 240 Challenge champion will contest Daytona’s 240-minute BMW Endurance Challenge support race held over the same January weekend at the wheel of a Sunoco-supported GT4 car.

The Sunoco Challenges are organised by Sunoco Racing Fuels’ official European distributor, Anglo American Oil Company Ltd.

Sunoco Whelen Challenge-eligible series:

BRDC British Formula 3 Championship
British GT Championship – GT3 Pro and Silver, and GT4 Pro and Silver

Sunoco 240 Challenge-eligible series:

British GT Championship – GT3 Am and GT4 Am
F3 Cup
GT Cup Championship
Mini Challenge – JCW and Cooper Pro
Radical UK Challenge
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Ginetta G40 Cup
Touring Car Trophy / TCR UK