Harry Hickton Endures Frustrating Visit To SIlverstone

Harry Hickton experienced the highs and lows of motorsport this past weekend (September 26-27) as the Power Maxed MINI CHALLENGE took centre stage at Silverstone for the penultimate event of the season.

Riding high after scoring a maiden JCW Class win at Knockhill back in August, the EXCELR8 Development Driver saw his pace and potential go unrewarded on what proved to be a trying few days in Northamptonshire.

Hickton wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the lead pace-setters around the Home of British Motor Racing. Topping the times in practice on Friday, the Hampshire racer went into Saturday’s qualifying session brimming with confidence.

The 20-year-old had every right to be too as he suitably swept aside the opposition to clinch pole position for races one and three.

Incredibly though, Hickton would later be excluded from the session and forced to start from the back of the grid after falling foul of not complying with a regulation. The aforementioned regulation was that he had not worn fireproof socks in qualifying.

Fired up to bounce back from that disappointment, Hickton delivered one of the drives of the season in race one as he produced a string of eye-catching overtakes to go from 17th on the grid to fifth at the chequered flag.

Hickton’s frustrations would sadly continue into Sunday though as he suffered setbacks in each of the remaining two races, which both ultimately cost him the opportunity of challenging for a potential podium finish.

Harry Hickton: “I’m not sure I really have the words to describe this weekend. In a way it has summed up large parts of our season because it’s just one bad thing after another. I certainly gave it everything I had out there.

“I think the real positive from the weekend was the pace we showed. It was clear that we were on of - if not the - fastest cars on the grid and to have claimed a double pole and fought back in the manner we did underlined our speed.

“To be excluded from qualifying for not wearing the correct socks is unbelievable however rules are rules and I’ve taken it on the chin. Ultimately its been one of those what if weekends and now we have to regroup and try sign off the season on a high at Brands Hatch.

The final round of the 2026 Power Maxed MINI CHALLENGE season takes place around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on October 10-11.