G.Yates extends championship lead with double victory; Beighton and Ran secure wins

July 6, 2026 by Ferrari North Europe
The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK championship returned this week for the fourth round at Oulton Park Circuit. Although it was one of the hottest weekends of the year, the action on the track matched the sweltering temperatures with another thrilling weekend of racing. The 2.692-mile circuit – one of the drivers’ favourites on the calendar – with its dramatic elevation changes, blind crests and technical corners, offered the perfect showcase for the Ferrari 296 Challenge cars.

Qualification 1:
In Trofeo Pirelli, 2025 Trofeo Pirelli champion, Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst), claimed Pole Position with a best lap of 1:35:378 – just over 1-sec ahead of his son, Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst), who posted a 1:36:390 lap time. Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester) qualified 3rd, only 0.5-sec behind B.Yates, with a time of 1:36.782.

In Coppa Shell, Andrea Seminara (HR Owen) took Pole Position with a best lap of 1:37:682 – less than 0.5-sec ahead of Christopher Beighton (Graypaul Nottingham) and Sean Ran (HR Owen), who qualified in 2nd and 3rd with times of 1:38:020 and 1:38:181 respectively.

Race 1: Trofeo Pirelli. Pole Sitter G.Yates made a flying start and began to build a lead over 2nd-placed B.Yates. Dean also started excellently from third, and began to close in on the Yates duo, but was ultimately unable to capitalise.

As the race progressed, B.Yates pushed hard in an attempt to overtake his father, but the race leader continued to extend his advantage. Further back, 4th-placed Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) and Manuela Gostner (Ineco) in 5th also drove well throughout the race.

With the order now settled, G.Yates crossed the line to secure victory and take the championship lead from his son, B.Yates, who, despite spinning three laps before the end of the race, was still able to maintain his podium position ahead of Dean who took the final step on the podium.

Coppa Shell. Italian driver, Seminara made a quick getaway to lead the pack, with Beighton close behind him in 2nd. Last round’s race winner, Ran also defended his podium position for the first 20-min of the race, showcasing consistent and precise driving.

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In the closing few laps, Beighton made a daring move on Seminara through the apex of Hislop’s to claim the lead of the race. Just behind them, William Bolster (Charles Hurst) leapfrogged into 3rd place after Ran’s unfortunate spin into the grass at Lakeside.
The order was now set until the chequered flag, with Beighton taking his 5th victory, while 2nd-placed Seminara claimed his first podium position of the season. Behind him, Bolster crossed the line to complete the top three.

Qualification 2:
In Trofeo Pirelli, G.Yates took home his second Pole Position in a row at Oulton Park, with a time of 1:35.382. B. Yates qualified only 0.3-sec behind, with a time of 1:35.779, which brings him much closer to the pace of his father and should mean he can pressure the older Yates in the second race this weekend. Dean qualified just 0.3-sec behind B.Yates to complete the top three, posting a best lap of 1:36.025.

In Coppa Shell, yesterday’s 2nd place finisher, Seminara also claimed his second consecutive Pole Position with a best lap of 1:37.297. Ran and Bolster completed the top three, just 0.02 seconds apart and both within 0.2 seconds of the Italian driver, posting times of 1:37.391 and 1:37.414 respectively. Such tight margins left virtually no room for error heading into the race.

Race 2:
Trofeo Pirelli. Pole Sitter, G.Yates made a flying start and extended his lead after a brief first lap Safety Car due to debris on the track. Although he started from 5th on the grid, Dewhirst made a masterful overtake past 4th-placed Gostner and Dean through Old Hall Corner to take 3rd within the first few corners.

As the race progressed, the Yates duo pulled clear of the field. Further back, Dewhirst continued to defend relentless pressure from Dean and was ultimately able to hold onto his podium position.

With the order now settled, G.Yates was first to pass the chequered flag, securing a double victory at the fourth round of the championship. B.Yates also drove well to maintain 2nd place, but an issue with his tyres meant he couldn’t challenge his father for the lead, but he still managed to stay ahead of Dewhirst’s who completed the final podium – his first in the Trofeo Pirelli class.

Coppa Shell. Pole Sitter, Seminara had an excellent start and built up an early lead ahead of Ran. 4th-placed Beighton wasted no time in overtaking Bolster on the first lap to enter 3rd.

Around the halfway point, the battle for second intensified as Beighton piled the pressure on Ran before making the move to take the position.

In the final minute, contact between Beighton and Pole Sitter Seminara at Cascades caused the Italian driver to spin and retire. The incident leapfrogged Ran and Bolster into 1st and 2nd, respectively. Moments later, Beighton – now in 3rd – made further contact with Bolster, forcing the former into retirement and elevating Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) to second. Ran went on to take the chequered flag, with Howell and Bolster completing the podium.

For the latest updates on the Ferrari Challenge UK race series, visit: https://www.ferrari.com/en-GB/corse-clienti/uk

Next Race:
The Ferrari Challenge UK series travels to Brands Hatch on 24-26 July. Spectators can watch the race in person or online at live.ferrari.com.