Daniyal Nalwalla heads to the UK to race in the Mini Challenge series in 2017

April 13, Mumbai: Young Indian racer Daniyal Nalwalla will compete in the United Kingdom-based Mini Challenge series, a stepping stone for budding Touring car drivers. The 18-year-old racer has signed up with ExcelR8 Motorsport team for his maiden outing in the series in 2017.

The Mumbai-born driver will fight it out in the top JCW category, with the MINI cars having three way adjustable Nitron dampers, quaife sequential gearbox and SCS Delta motorsport ECU. The 255 Bhp 2lt MINI TwinPower engine tuned to deliver manageable torque and a wide rev range, helps to contribute to laps times that worry some Touring Car specifications. Other categories in the championship includes Cooper PRO Class, Cooper AM Class and an Open Class.

The Indian driver has successfully taken part in the two pre-season testing, the first one held at Britain’s Formula 1 circuit, Silverstone on March 14, followed by the second test at Snetterton on March 21. Daniyal was thrilled to have tested at the iconic Silverstone track, the home of the British Grand Prix.

Daniyal’s season will comprise of eight rounds at various top circuits in the UK, the season-opener to be held at Oulton Park later this weekend on April 15-17. The weekend will comprise of an official practice on Friday, followed qualifying on Saturday, with two races of 20 minutes each on Sunday.

Since 2014, Daniyal has accumulated three years of combined karting and single-seater experience in Asia and Europe, more recently racing in the inaugural FIA Formula 4 South East Asia Championship, where he clinched multiple rookie podiums. Daniyal also competed in the JK Tyre-backed Euro JK (Formula BMW) championship en-route to a Top 5 finish in his maiden season.

“I am exited to announce my racing programme for the 2017 season. Over the winter, we worked hard and spent a lot of time in deciding what’s best for my future. I am pleased to move to the UK to race in the 2017 Mini Challenge Series in the JCW category with ExcelR8 Team,” commented Daniyal Nalwalla.

“The decision to switch from single-seater racing to touring car racing has been much discussed internally and after general tests, I feel this is the right time and age to change categories and build a career as a professional driver. The decision would give me more time and desired experience to move on to some of the popular closed-cars series, namely the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship and DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters).”

“The two tests at Silvertsone and Snetterton went really well and in the positive direction. I managed to learn a lot about the car in general and also the different controls, which will help me in my rookie season ahead. I am going into the season with an open mind as since it will be first year, I’ll not only have to learn about the cars, but also the various race tracks in the UK. I am very much looking forward to the first race in Oulton Park, this weekend.”

The 2017 Mini Challenge calendar:

Round 1: Oulton Park – April 15-17
Round 2: Rockingham – April 29-30
Round 3: Snetterton – May 27-28
Round 4: Silverstone – June 10-11
Round 5: Brands Hatch Indy – July 8-9
Round 6: Brands Hatch GP – August 5-6
Round 7: Oulton Park – August 19
Round 8: Donington Park – September 23-24

• Races : 2017
• Date : May 6, 2017