Doble Motorsport Confirms Three Car MINI Challenge Entry for 2027

So here's the thing about the Doble family, they don't really do anything by halves. Mikey has spent 2026 winning races in the British Touring Car Championship, Isaac and Chris have spent it cutting their teeth in the MINI CHALLENGE, and at some point in the middle of all that somebody clearly asked the obvious question, which is why keep driving for other people's teams when you could just run your own? Well, now they are.

Doble Motorsport has become the first team to officially confirm a programme for the 2027 MINI CHALLENGE season, and it isn't a toe in the water either. Three cars across two classes, with a single entry in the headline JCW category joined by two cars in the Cooper class. For a brand new outfit that's a proper statement of intent.

Mikey Doble and Parkes Motorsport team manager Matt Parkes shake on the new Doble Motorsport MINI CHALLENGE programme for 2027.

Where the Dobles are right now

The Dobles have run cars at club level before, but launching a full family run team is a different animal altogether and the timing makes a lot of sense when you look at the season they're having. Mikey has two BTCC wins to his name this year and leads the Independents' Trophy standings, which, if you know how tight that midfield is, is no small thing.

Meanwhile younger brother Isaac and cousin Chris both made their debuts in the Mairon Motorsport MINI CHALLENGE Trophy this season, running as teammates in the Race Car Consultants lineup. Isaac currently sits second in the Rookie Cup with just the Brands Hatch finale left to run, and Chris, who bagged his maiden overall podium at Donington Park, is lying fourth. Not bad for a first year, is it?

Parkes Motorsport running the show

The team will be run in conjunction with Bristol based Parkes Motorsport, headed by Matt Parkes. His team has enjoyed plenty of success across a range of championships, including the BMW Compact Cup and the MX5 Supercup, and will take on the day to day operations of Doble Motorsport in what will be its most ambitious programme to date.

Full details of who drives which of the three cars will be confirmed in due course, so watch this space.

What Mikey and Matt had to say

Mikey Doble said: "The idea of launching our own team is something that we've been considering for some time, and we're delighted to be able to announce that Doble Motorsport will be out on track in 2027.

"We've seen first hand this season with Isaac and Chris that the MINI CHALLENGE is a fantastic series for young drivers, with highly competitive grids and plenty of action alongside the benefits that come from being part of the BTCC support package.

"We're confident that we can make our mark on both the Cooper and JCW classes next season and in Matt Parkes and his team, we know we have the perfect people involved to make this new venture a success."

Matt Parkes, Team Manager, said: "I first got to know the Dobles when I was competing in the BMW Compact Cup myself and our relationship has grown since then to the point where our families have become close friends.

"We share the same outlook when it comes to going racing and after a conversation earlier in the year, things have now developed to the stage where we are joining forces for this new programme for 2027.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to get our teeth into something new and we know that the three drivers are all capable of winning races and fighting for a championship. We want to provide them with the opportunity to do that and give them the tools to succeed, and can't wait to get started."

Why this matters if you're thinking about sponsorship

We've been alongside Mikey all season producing his content, so I'll declare an interest, but look at this from a brand's point of view for a second. A new team with three cars, two classes, a family story people actually care about, and a place on the BTCC support bill in front of the same crowds that pack out the grandstands on a touring car weekend. That's a lot of livery, a lot of content, and a lot of hospitality from one relationship, and new teams are almost always more flexible on what a partnership looks like than the established ones who've done it the same way for twenty years.

The funny thing is most businesses assume motorsport starts at the top and works down, when actually the smart money often gets in early with teams on the way up, before the price reflects the results. If that sounds like something worth a conversation, SuperHub has helped raise over £30 million in motorsport funding and sponsorship, and you can find out how we match brands with the right team or driver on our sponsor a race team or driver page.

In the meantime, you can follow Mikey's season at mikeydobleracing.co.uk and keep an eye out for the Doble Motorsport driver lineup, which should be confirmed before the 2027 season gets going.