Silverstone played host to an unforgettable finale of the 2024 Ferrari Challenge UK on 14–15 September, where Gilbert Yates clinched the Trofeo Pirelli title, and Robert Rees emerged victorious in a nail-biting Coppa Shell showdown. With high stakes, intense rivalries, and last-lap drama, the weekend delivered some of the most exhilarating racing of the season.
Trofeo Pirelli: Yates’s Championship Glory
Gilbert Yates, racing for Charles Hurst, entered the Silverstone finale with a clear goal in mind: securing the 2024 Ferrari Challenge UK Trofeo Pirelli title. The Irishman wasted no time asserting his dominance, delivering an impressive pole position lap of 2:04.585 in Qualifying 1, setting the stage for his pursuit of championship glory.
In the first race on Saturday, Yates faced pressure from his teammate and reigning champion, Andrew Morrow. The two Charles Hurst drivers quickly pulled ahead of the pack, building a ten-second gap over 2022 champion Lucky Khera. Khera’s early retirement left the title race between Yates and Morrow, with Yates holding firm under pressure. His commanding drive saw him cross the finish line first, clinching the Trofeo Pirelli title in his debut season—an outstanding achievement for the Irishman.
Sunday’s Race 2 saw Yates further cement his champion status. He stormed to pole once again with a lap time of 2:04.418 and maintained his lead throughout the race. Despite a chaotic clash between Morrow and Haymandhra Pillai, which shuffled the podium, Yates delivered a flawless drive to win his fifth race of the season, bringing his remarkable debut campaign to a victorious close.
Coppa Shell: Rees and Dewhirst’s Battle for the Title
While Yates enjoyed a triumphant weekend, the Coppa Shell title fight between Robert Rees (Dick Lovett Swindon) and Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) took centre stage. Saturday’s Race 1 delivered a thrilling spectacle as Dewhirst, starting from the pit exit, carved through the field to chase down the leaders. With only minutes remaining, Stuart Marston (Maranello Sales) passed Rees for the lead, with Dewhirst soon following suit. In a dramatic final-lap surge, Dewhirst overtook Marston to take victory, closing the championship gap to Rees to just eight points.
Sunday’s Race 2, the season’s ultimate showdown, provided even more drama. Rees made a lightning-fast start, surging into the lead, but polesitter Paul Simmerson quickly regained control. Dewhirst, sensing the championship slipping away, launched an aggressive charge through the pack. A costly spin from Rees sent him tumbling down the order, and Dewhirst pounced, moving into second place and positioning himself for a championship victory.
However, Rees refused to back down. In a stunning last-lap effort, he recovered to fifth place, securing just enough points to clinch his first Coppa Shell title. Dewhirst’s valiant performance wasn’t enough to overturn the Welshman’s lead, leaving spectators in awe of Rees’s tenacity and championship drive.
A Fitting Conclusion to a Thrilling Season
The 2024 Ferrari Challenge UK season will be remembered for its dramatic final round at Silverstone. Gilbert Yates’s dominant Trofeo Pirelli victory capped an extraordinary debut season, while Robert Rees’s last-minute heroics ensured his name would be etched in Coppa Shell history. The intra-dealer battles between the Dick Lovett and Charles Hurst teams added an extra layer of intensity, making this season one of the most memorable in recent years.
As the chequered flag fell on the 2024 Ferrari Challenge UK, both champions reflected the fierce competition and skill that define this prestigious series. Spectators at Silverstone witnessed not just races, but the culmination of months of dedication, strategy, and talent—all in the pursuit of championship glory.
