Mondello Park have announced details of the 2025 Junior Mini Scholarship, where one budding racing driver will win a fully funded season in the 2025 Junior Mini Challenge. The Challenge will be an integral part of the ICCR package and the winner can look forward to unrivalled exposure to fans, media and sponsors throughout their maiden year in car racing.
This fantastic prizes available to applicants include:
• Use of a Mini Cooper race car for the 2025 season
• Entry fees for all 2025 Mondello Park Rounds
• Free Motorsport Ireland Licence test at Mondello Park
• Fees paid for Mondello Park ICCR test days
There will also be prizes for the 2nd & 3rd place finishers in the scholarship.
The runner-up will receive entry fees for all Mondello Park rounds if they compete in the championship.
The third-place driver will receive fees paid for the Mondello Park ICCR test days for the 2025 season if they compete in the championship.
Click HERE for Junior Scholarship Application.
Date & Venue:
The competition is due to take place at Mondello Park on 17th January 2025 at the end of which the winner will be announced.
Entry for the Junior MINI Challenge Scholarship is not open to drivers who have previously competed in the MINI Junior Championship.
Entry Fee €100
Day Format:
Each participant will complete three assessments on the day including media, Sims driving and a driving assessment with an instructor.
Media
Presenting yourself professionally to the media is an essential skill at all levels of motorsport. The ICCR Mini Challenge will be heavily promoted across all media channels and drivers are often interviewed straight after the race when the adrenaline is pumping, so being able to communicate well and in a likeable but professional manner is a necessary trait.
Driving
Driving is the main part of the assessment for the Scholarship, holding 60% of the weighting. It is advised that drivers prepare for the driving assessment adequately to give themselves the best possible chance of progressing through the competition. As a minimum, drivers should be able to use a car with a clutch prior to arrival.
All Participants will have a track session alongside a professional instructor in the Mondello Park Mazda 3 cars, during which they will be assessed on the following areas and not solely on lap time:
• Ability to drive safely at speed
• Car control skills
• Ability to change gear
• Willingness to learn from the instructor
• Progression through the sessions
Sims
Based in Mondello Park’s Sim room, applicants will compete in a virtual competition to demonstrate their racing prowess against each other.
Do I need to have my own race kit and racing car?
No. Drivers who do not own their own kit should wear a long-sleeved top, trousers and suitable footwear. Mondello Park will have a limited number of helmets available on the day to borrow. All the cars are provided as part of the competition.
Do I need to have a race licence to take part in the Scholarship?
No. There are no specific licence requirements to take part in the Scholarship.
Do I need to have any specific experience to take part?
No. Competitors are not required to have any specific experience in any form of racing. We do recommend that successful applicants have at least had practice driving a car with a clutch.
Drivers must be a minimum of 14 years of age prior to or on the day of competing in their first Championship round. Competitors who reach the age of 17 during the racing season may continue to take part in all rounds of the championship for that year. 
What happens if the Scholarship is oversubscribed?
With such a fantastic prize available to the winner, Mondello Park envisage that they will receive a huge amount of applications. With the limited time available to assess an applicant on the day the organisers will if required shortlist candidates on the day. So please be aware that your application does not give you an automatic right to attend on the day. Mondello Park will advise all applicants if they have been selected or not for the assessment day.
