A local motorsport racer has celebrated his best-ever finish in the prestigious Vertu Mini Challenge JCW series, which runs alongside the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – with his Bowerhill-based racing team.
Owen Hillman, aged 27 and from Melksham, secured a place on the podium at Knockhill Circuit in Scotland last weekend, racing for his family-run team, Pro Alloys Racing. The team, who also operate Pro Alloys Wheel Repair and Refurbishment in Bowerhill, took their first-ever double podium finish, with Owen’s teammate, Max Edmundson, clinching first overall.
Competing against some of the UK’s most talented touring car hopefuls, Owen finished third, fourth, and fifth in his three races, earning third place overall – the highlight of his six-year racing career so far.
“Finishing on the podium came as a bit of a shock, but it was an incredible weekend,” said Owen. “I’ve raced all over the country for years, but this is my best-ever showing. To share the podium with Max was amazing – first and third for the team! Hopefully, this is the start of many more wins. It fills us with great confidence.”
The Vertu Mini Challenge JCW is regarded as one of the UK’s premier one-make championships, with all drivers racing identical Mini cars. The series runs at major UK circuits such as Donington, Brands Hatch and Silverstone, sharing weekends with the BTCC and enjoying live coverage on ITV.
For Owen, who grew up in Melksham and attended Aloeric Primary and Melksham Oak schools, the result is the latest step in a lifelong racing journey that began on motorbikes at the age of four. “All the guys and girls I’m racing against have years of karting experience and multiple championships,” Owen explained. “I came from a slightly different background – it started as a hobby, going to Castle Combe with my stepdad. One step led to another, and now we’ve built up a team.”
Looking ahead, Owen hopes to progress to the British Touring Car Championship in the coming years – a dream he describes as the “pinnacle” for himself and the team. But with motorsport being an expensive pursuit, sponsorship is key.
“Drivers usually pay their team to deliver their vehicle. We’re spending a lot of our own money as well as relying on sponsorship,” Owen said. “There are plenty of opportunities for local businesses to get involved and gain exposure – our races are televised, and the BTCC attracts huge crowds. Any support would make a big difference.”
For more information, contact info@proalloysracing.com or follow the team’s journey on Facebook or Instagram with Proalloys Racing.
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