Alliance Racing is pleased to announce the signing of Alfie Garford and Murray Richardson for the 2026 season racing in the MINI Challenge JCW Sport class. They will be racing under the Wera Alliance Racing Academy banner.

After a breakthrough debut season in the MINI Challenge Trophy class Alfie gets the chance to test his skills in the faster JCW Sport class in 2026.

Alfie had this to say about making the step up and his hopes for the coming season.

“Looking ahead to 2026, the focus is firmly on taking the next big step forward with a move into the highly competitive JCW Sport category. It’s a formidable challenge, but exactly the kind of environment that pushes drivers to raise every aspect of their performance — and one I’m hugely excited to take on.

Continuing with the Wera Tools / Alliance Racing Academy for another season is a massive part of that journey. The academy has been central to my development so far, and having that familiar structure, support network, and shared mindset behind me again provides the perfect platform to tackle a new level of competition with confidence.

Joining me on that step up will be my 2025 team-mate and close sparring partner, Murray Richardson. Having raced closely together, pushing each other throughout the season, it’s exciting to take that rivalry into a new championship where we can continue to challenge, learn, and drive each other forward.

2026 represents more than just a new category — it’s the next phase of progression, surrounded by the right people, in the right environment, with the aim of competing at the sharp end and continuing to build toward long-term success.”

Murray, on the other hand, is only in his second ever season racing cars and comes off an impressive debut season in the MINI Challenge Trophy class that saw him building on his results and honing his race craft over the season that culminated in a victory at the Donington Park GP round of the championship.

Murray had this to say about his hopes for the season ahead and continuing his racing development in the Wera Alliance Racing Academy.

“I am extremely excited and grateful to grow and continue my journey with Wera in the Mini Challenge and I’m looking forward to pushing myself to new heights off the back of last year’s results in the trophy class! The aim for this year is to podium twice and hopefully secure a win! I can’t wait to show the talents of myself and the team by bringing home as much silverware as possible to make them proud!”

Alliance Racing team owner and Wera Alliance Racing Academy co-founder, Pete Osborne, had this to say about the signings

“With thanks to Wera tools, we’re delighted to continue our journey with both Alfie and Murray. They both had breakthrough seasons last year as team-mates in the Wera Alliance Racing Academy and worked really well as team-mates, so its great to keep them together as a team and progress their development by moving into the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Sport class.

“Like most of the drivers in the academy they’re at the early part of their careers, so we get to help them grow, both as racing drivers and as young men, and the fact they get to share these experiences is something I believe is very important to their ongoing development.

“The step up to the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW Sport is an obvious one and it’s a great championship for drivers to improve their craft on the best circuits in the UK. We’ve been part of the Championship since 2022 as a team and it gets better and better, plus it’s a great opportunity for youngsters to compete on the BTCC package.