THE Ministox drivers enjoyed another exciting season's racing and their antics on track spoke volumes of their ability!
Bearing in mind they are aged between 11 and 16 years of age, but still they show a lot of prowess once the pit gate closes.
The Minis not only raced in Scotland but at Taunton, St Day, Aldershot and Skegness, as well at Nutts Corner, in Northern Ireland.
The driver who dominated was Bathgate's David Philp Jnr Jnr who ended up winning the European, British, National, UK, East of Scotland and Scottish Open championships, as well as numerous local titles in what was his last season in the Ministox.
Philp also won track points championships, one being at the Cowdenbeath Racewall, but only by a mere three points from Brechin's Rhys Anderson.
At the start of the last meeting Philp Jnr Jnr had a nineteen point advantage but there was a ten point swing when Anderson won the first heat whilst Philp Jnr Jnr had to retire.
It could have been even closer had not Anderson been clipped into a spin in heat two and he only managed a mid order finish whilst Philp Jnr Jnr sat on the sidelines.
Both drivers finished the final with Philp Jnr Jnr just holding on to win the title.
However, Anderson came out on top in the GMP Championship, ending his season racing with the silver roof.
For Anderson it was to be his last season in the Minis and he ended his season by winning the Ulster Championship in November over in Northern Ireland.
Whilst the season started with Bailey Wilson, Jamie Balfour, Bailey Watt, Corey Mathers and Naomi Bain amongst the newcomers, Kyle Rogerson, Demi Ritchie and Shay Page were amongst those to retire whilst Charlie Burgoyne was suspended after a racing incident.
At the opening Racewall meeting Burgoyne hit the headlines. He won both of the heats and then spectacularly rolled after clipping a tyre at the start to the final which ended up in the hands of newcomer Bailey Wilson.
The first “away” meeting was at Nutts Corner where south west’s Mason Sealy ended up winning the Irish Championship where Philp Jnr Jnr suffered engine problems.
Back at the Racewall the RGM Trophy was won by Burgoyne with Philp Jnr Jnr winning the Keir Millar Trophy.
Down at Skegness the drivers from the South West of England dominated the qualifying heats but during the final they had to take a back seat as Philp Jnr Jnr went on to win the UK Championship from Stuart Shevill Jnr Jnr.
Back home Philp Jnr Jnr won the Gunner Motorsport Trophy before the drivers headed back to Northern Ireland where Philp Jnr Jnr won the European Championship.
Ollie Sime won the Dash for the Tyre race at the Racewall and then the first heat but was in a heavy shunt in the next.
At the Crimond Raceway weekend Philp Jnr Jnr again was the driver who dominated winning all four heats on the Saturday then the ORCi Championship on Sunday.
Ben McLellan dominated at the Knockhill Trioval where he recorded a hat trick of wins. At the Lochgelly meeting at the end of September Philp Jnr Jnr won all three races and the two at Crimond the following day.
At the beginning of October newcomer Corey Mathers won the Highland Championship at Crimond where three of the four leading cars were sent spinning on the pit bend during the closing stages of the race allowing Mathers to reel of the remaining laps to win.
Anderson won the Sharpies Trophy and later Wilson the Ramsay Trophy at the last Racewall meeting of the season.
The season ended at Nutts Corner with Anderson winning the Ulster Championship.
However, amongst those retiring at the end of the season are Anderson, Owen Marshall and Philp Jnr Jnr and hopefully there will be drivers coming in to fill their shoes! Drivers to look out for in 2026 will be Sime, McLellan, Finlay Gemmell, Caitlin Mitchell and Mathers
The presentation of the trophies to the drivers was held as usual at the Hill of Beath Community Centre on Saturday night.
The night was organised, as it has been for the past years, by Nicola Sharp and Laura Alexander and was well attended and a great success with drivers appearing from the north of Scotland to the south of England.
There were 24 drivers at the presentation, with Jamie Dawson the ORCi Stock Rod British, European and UK Champion, on hand to present the trophies.
First off each driver was introduced to those in attendance, each receiving a goodie pack and those who would be racing in 2026 a tyre. For those who reached retirement age, that of 16, they received a token in place of a tyre.
The first driver to receive an award was Jayden Roff who was the winner of the Jus Bounce series whilst David Philp Jnr Jnr was the Mini Disco series winner.
The Merit Award was won by Jason Bain whilst Owen Marshall won the Recognition Award for the attending all the championship events.
Ollie Sime won the Dash for a Tyre and wasn't shy about keeping his team busy in the garage between meetings as a result of some of his track exploits.
The retired Shay Page won the Carry on Regardless Trophy. Philp Jnr Jnr was back to receive the Achievement Award after his dominant season.
Rhys Anderson went on to win the Determination Award for his consistency from day one and his sportsmanship over the year.
The newcomer of the year went to William Hunn who began to make a name for himself from mid-season with some storming drives none more so than the National Championship where he started 15th and ended up fourth.
The Crimond Novice of the year was Corey Mathers, the Lochgelly one was Jamie Balfour whilst the Racewall one was Bailey Wilson.
Next up was the track points championships with Philp Jnr Jnr winning the Crimond, Lochgelly and Racewall points with Caitlin Mitchell winning the Crimond Girls points and Ben McLellan the Knockhill Trioval points.
The National Points saw Finlay Gemmell winning the Crimond version, Philp Jnr Jnr the Lochgelly and Rhys Anderson the Racewall title
The last trophy of the evening was the Drivers, Driver of the Year and it was Philp Jnr Jnr who received the most votes.
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