It was a monster 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship campaign for Mini Cooper S crew Andrew O’Hanlon/Kevin Hogan as they picked up not one, not two, but three titles!
And it was an even more remarkable season when you consider that Andrew did very little rallying in 2024 – thanks to crashing the Mini on the 2023 Killarney Historic Rally and spending much of last year re-shelling the car.
The Market Harborough driver’s season started with a Class H-A and Mini Challenge win on the East Riding Stages Rally, despite a dodgy intercom, failing windscreen wipers and running out of petrol at the end of SS4! He also finished third in the BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup, behind the very rapid Escorts of Phillip Rogers/Jordan Jones and Mark Holmes/Jonathan Cragg.
Andrew opted to miss next two rounds, the Proflex Manx and Borders Competitions Jim Clark rallies – which allowed Mark Holmes to move further ahead in the Historic Cup standings and Shane Gamble’s Mini to draw level on points in the 1300 class.
The tables were turned on the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally, as with Mark Holmes and Phillip Rogers not entered, a steady run and a good finish allowed Andrew to close the gap in the Historic Cup – and with Shane Gamble retiring his Mini with engine problems, maximum Mini Challenge and 1300 class were his too.
Neither Andrew nor Kevin had contested the R Kings Down Rally before, but a great run saw them take maximum BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup, Class H-A and Mini Challenge points for a second rally in a row.
With the cancellation of the Hills Ford Rally, Andrew and Kevin could not be overhauled going into the final round, the Ynyscynon MOT Centre Tour of Epynt Epynt. They were nonetheless aiming for a good result, and a good omen was winning the Dynamic Fluids Best Presented Car Award, selected and presented by Protyre Asphalt Championship scrutineer Geoff Doe.
The season finale turned into a close battle between Andrew and Shane Gamble. Just five seconds separated the Mini drivers when a brake issue forced Andrew to slow and settle for second on the day – although by then, the three Protyre Asphalt titles had already been secured.
In brief, it was a remarkable season for Andrew and Kevin:
BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup: 3 x wins, 1 x second, won title by 27 points
Class H-A: 2 x wins, 1 x second, 1 x third, won title by 59 points
Protyre Asphalt Mini Challenge: 3 x wins, 1 x second, won title by 58 points
“It has been a great year for the Mini crew and we would like to thank all of the event organisers, marshals, series organisers and sponsors for putting on some great events that have been enjoyed by spectators and competitors alike,” said Kevin.
Andrew and Kevin will be at the 2025 Protyre Asphalt Rally Gala Prizegiving and Awards Ceremony at the Drayton Manor Hotel on Saturday 8 November. For awards dinner tickets, please click here.
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