KIERAN ROBERTS JOINS EXCELR8 COOPER LINE-UP FOR THRUXTON DEBUT
Kieran Roberts will make his debut in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy this weekend at Thruxton after agreeing a deal to join the grid with EXCELR8 at his home circuit.
The Salisbury-based racer will take to the track in the car owned by his uncle Matt Hammond, who won the Cooper title with EXCELR8 back in 2017 and then finished as runner-up having scored multiple wins on his return to the grid with the team in 2021 and 2022.
Hammond most recently competed in the headline JCW class last season, whilst also working with EXCELR8 in an off-track role.
Roberts will become the latest graduate of the Junior Saloon Car Championship to join the Cooper field having spent the last three seasons competing in the series after graduating from karting.
Running as an independent, Roberts secured multiple podium finishes and picked up a best championship finish of fifth last season – securing top honours amongst the independent drivers.
The move into the Cooper this weekend will see Roberts renew rivalry with Harry Smith and James Sherrington, both of whom also raced in JSCC last season.
“Matt has helped me to get into the car this weekend, and it’s an opportunity that has come along at the right time,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a challenge because my first time in the car will come in testing on Friday, but it should be fun.
“My first goal is to make sure that I keep the car in one piece for my uncle, but I also want to try and score the best results I can and I’d love to be up near the front. Hopefully it will go well and this could open the door for some more appearances in the future.”
Hammond – who previously helped his nephew in his JSCC programme – will be present to cheer him on at close quarters, with his current role with EXCELR8 seeing him helping to run the Max Tune Motorsport car of Simon Sweetland.
“Kieran’s been pestering me to have a go in the car for a while, so I thought why not give him the chance to see what he can do,” he said.
“It’ll be good to see him on track in the Cooper and with EXCELR8, he’s with the best team to help him learn.”
EXCELR8 Team Owner Justina Williams was quick to welcome Roberts into the line-up.
“It’s great to be able to to give Kieran the opportunity to join our Cooper line-up at Thruxton and we’re looking forward to seeing how he gets on,” she said.
“He’s got big boots to fill stepping into his uncle’s car but having shown his talents in JSCC, we’re confident that he’ll grab this chance with both hands and put on a strong showing on track.”
