Ashley Gregory

Ashley Gregory is one of the UK’s most exciting young female racing drivers, blazing a trail from quad bikes at age seven to the ultra-competitive MINI Challenge series—and she’s not stopping until she reaches the top step of the podium.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 2004 and based in Rossendale, Lancashire, Ashley Gregory discovered her love for speed long before most kids figured out what they wanted to be when they grew up. At just seven years old, she was tearing around on a quad bike, setting up makeshift tracks with cones and pretending she was racing for real. It was pure, unfiltered fun—the kind that plants a seed you can’t ignore.

By the time she turned ten in 2015, that seed had grown into something serious. Her dad bought her a Junior Ministox car, and Gregory found herself competing against drivers as old as sixteen. The age gap didn’t faze her; if anything, it sharpened her edge. Her third race? She rolled the car. Most kids would’ve been done right there, but Gregory climbed out, dusted herself off, and got back in. That grit would become her calling card.

From 2015 to 2019, she dominated Junior Ministox, racking up three overall championships, three major “blue-ribbed” race wins, and somewhere north of 120 trophies. She wasn’t just racing—she was winning, and doing it against older, more experienced drivers who probably underestimated the girl from Rossendale until she left them in her dust.

OTHER INTERESTS

No information available.

EARLY SUCCESS

After her Junior Ministox reign, Gregory set her sights on the Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC). She entered the JSCC Scholarship program and made it to the final three—a testament to her raw talent—but ultimately decided to buy her own car and race on her own terms. In 2020, she piloted a Citroën Saxo VTR 1600 on Dunlop tyres through 14 races, earning two podium finishes and consistently placing in the top ten. She ended the season tenth overall with 156 points, proving she belonged in the series.

The 2021 JSCC season was even better. Gregory notched her first win and claimed fastest lap honors across 19 races, cementing her reputation as a consistent front-runner with serious pace. She wasn’t just participating—she was a legitimate threat every time the lights went out.

In 2023, Gregory made the leap to The Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, a support series for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and British Truck Racing Championship. It’s a fiercely competitive arena, and she immediately made an impression, earning one podium and 194 points in her debut season. The BTCC paddock took notice—here was a young woman who could actually drive, not just show up.

Her 2024 season in The Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy was a grind. Racing for Ashley Gregory Racing in a Mini Cooper with 130 BHP and a 1.6L engine on Goodyear tyres, she completed 20 races and finished tenth overall with 441 points. No wins, no podiums, but she showed the kind of speed that turns heads. The debut year in the series is always tough, and Gregory used it to learn, adapt, and set herself up for what comes next.

By 2025, she was back on the grid with a vengeance, earning two podiums in her first nine races—a sign that the hard lessons of 2024 were paying off.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2015–2019: Three Junior Ministox overall championships, three major race wins, and over 120 trophies.
• 2020: Two podium finishes in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, tenth place overall with 156 points.
• 2021: One win and fastest lap honors in the Junior Saloon Car Championship across 19 races.
• 2023: One podium finish in debut season of The Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, 194 points.
• 2024: Tenth place in The Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy, 441 points over 20 races with Ashley Gregory Racing.
• 2025: Two podiums in first nine races, proving she’s a legitimate contender for the overall title.
• Career: 76 races started, one win, five podiums, one fastest lap, and a 1.3% win rate across all series.

INSPIRATIONS

No information available.

REPUTATION

Gregory has built a reputation as a driver with serious race craft and blistering speed, especially after her debut MINI season impressed the BTCC paddock. She’s known for being competitive, passionate, and driven to succeed—qualities that have made her one of the few female drivers aiming for the top tier of the MINI Challenge JCW series. Her consistency in the JSCC and her ability to bounce back from setbacks—like that early Ministox roll—have earned her respect in a sport that doesn’t hand out participation trophies.

Media coverage has been overwhelmingly positive, with outlets describing her as one of the UK’s most exciting female racing drivers and a barrier-breaker for women in motorsports. She’s focused on inspiring the next generation of female drivers, and her presence in the BTCC support series has already made her a role model for girls who dream of racing but rarely see someone who looks like them doing it at this level.

In 2024, she partnered with McGowan Transcriptions, who provided championship tyres—a crucial piece of support in a series where every advantage counts. The partnership reflects the growing recognition that Gregory isn’t just another driver; she’s someone worth investing in.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Gregory’s sights are set firmly on the future, and it’s an ambitious one. In 2025, she’s gunning for the overall MINI Challenge Trophy title—a goal well within reach given her early-season podiums. But she’s not stopping there. Her ultimate aim is a full campaign in the MINI Challenge JCW series in 2026, with the possibility of guest appearances in JCW rounds during 2025 to get a taste of the top tier.

She’s actively seeking sponsorship opportunities to fund that climb, and given her track record, her work ethic, and the buzz she’s generating, it’s a safe bet she’ll find the backing she needs. Gregory has spent over a decade proving she belongs on the track, and now she’s poised to prove she belongs at the very top of British motorsports.

References:

[1] DriverDB – Ashley Gregory
[2] Ashley Gregory Racing – Sponsorship Proposal 2025
[3] Ashley Gregory Racing – About
[4] McGowan Transcriptions – Supporting Ashley Gregory
[5] Ashley Gregory Racing – Official Home
[6] Racers Behind the Helmet – Ashley Gregory