Alex Nevill overcame a dramatic crash in testing to clinch his first podium finish in the Mini Challenge Cooper Pro championship, at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

The weekend started with a test day at the circuit on Friday, in which Alex had an off at the high speed Craner Curves.

The resulting spin into the gravel trap pitched the car into a roll, leaving the LDR Racing team with a considerable amount of work to do ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session. 

With the car fixed, albeit with some dents, the Kent racer was able to overcome the accident and qualify in 2nd place for the first race of the weekend. This was then converted into a 2nd place finish in race 1, following an intense fight for the win with the current championship leader. Giving the 2018 Cooper Am champion his first podium in the Pro class. 

Whilst Sunday’s two races weren’t as kind in terms of results (9th & 6th respectively,) the overall success of the weekend has propelled Alex into 5th place in the championship standings.

Just 16 points away from 3rd place and the leader of the Rookie Cup (for drivers in their first year in the class.) With just one round remaining, Alex was incredibly pleased with the weekend and the momentum it gives the team.

Speaking after the weekend, Nevill said: “Our first podium in Cooper Pro has been a long time coming, and to achieve it in these circumstances makes it even more special. It gives me a real confidence boost going into the final round, where we’ll be chasing race wins to try and finish the season on a high.”

The championship returns to Snetterton in Norfolk, where the series started in May, for its conclusion on the 19th & 20th October.

Images courtesy of David Young