Jamsport Racing Scholarship 2026 – A Pathway to the MINI CHALLENGE Grid

The 2026 Jamsport Racing Scholarship has once again delivered a highly competitive and intensive programme, designed to identify and develop the next generation of motorsport talent — with Chase Fernandez emerging as this year’s winner.

The scholarship began in December at Blyton Park, where 50 drivers entered Stage 1 and were assessed across a wide range of disciplines. Driving the ST150 Fiesta, alongside simulator sessions, fitness and reaction testing, media training, interviews, and general motorsport knowledge, drivers were evaluated on far more than just outright pace.

Following Stage 1, the field was reduced to 30 drivers who returned to Blyton Park in January for Stage 2. With the standard rising, participants were pushed further across all areas aswell as data analysis, and interviews introduced to assess their ability to represent themselves and a team professionally.

The final stage took place at Bedford Autodrome in February, where the top 15 drivers competed for the ultimate prize. At this stage, drivers stepped up into the more powerful ST240 Fiesta, adding another layer of challenge as they aimed to demonstrate adaptability, control, and consistency under pressure.

New for 2026, finalists were also required to deliver a five-minute presentation outlining who they are, their journey in motorsport, and why they deserved the opportunity. This addition provided further insight into each driver’s mindset, commitment, and ability to communicate — all key attributes required to succeed in modern motorsport.

Throughout the scholarship, drivers were tested across driving performance, simulator ability, fitness, reaction times, media skills, interviews, presentations, and data analysis — reflecting the demands of the sport both on and off the circuit.

A special mention also goes to Gym Bound, who delivered the fitness element of the scholarship. Their team put every driver through their paces with a structured and professional approach, ensuring each participant was tested to a high standard.

From the final 15 drivers, the top six were selected to take part in a high-pressure shootout — a final in-car assessment designed to test performance when it matters most. From this, the top drivers were chosen.

🏆 2026 Scholarship Results

🥇 1st – Chase Fernandez
🥈 2nd – Brady Pollock
🥉 3rd – Tom Stevens & Spencer Fortag

🏁 Fastest Simulator Lap – Matt Caruana

All of the finalists demonstrated an exceptional level of talent, commitment, and professionalism throughout the programme.

Jamie Going of Jamsport Racing commented:
“The level of talent this year was incredibly high, making the decision extremely difficult. Chase consistently delivered across every element of the scholarship and demonstrated exactly what we look for in a driver — not just pace, but attitude, work ethic, and the ability to operate in a championship environment like MINI CHALLENGE. We’re excited to see what he can achieve this season.”

The Jamsport Racing Scholarship continues to provide a unique and structured pathway into competitive motorsport, with a strong focus on developing drivers both on and off the track. By combining performance, technical understanding, fitness, and media skills, the programme prepares drivers for the realities of racing at a national level.

A huge thank you goes to all drivers who took part, as well as the team, partners, and staff who made this year’s scholarship possible.

We now look forward to seeing Chase Fernandez progress onto the 2026 grid, alongside the continued development of all finalists as they move forward in their motorsport careers.

Be sure to check out our gallery for highlights from across all three stages of the scholarship.