Davanti Tyres’ Race Team achieves multiple podium finishes in initial rounds of the Swift Sport Challenge
16th May 2025
The first 5 rounds of the inaugural Swift Sport Challenge championship are now complete, and it’s been an eventful series so far for the Davanti Tyres’ Race team drivers, Adam Blair and Ray Collier.
Rounds 1 and 2 got underway at Silverstone, with 31 Suzuki Swift cars taking to the track on Protoura Race tyres – the control tyre for the series – and the tyres didn’t disappoint.
It was another test of extremes for the tyres, having previously battled pouring rain in a non-championship track day at Donington, only to then face the scorching May heat at Silverstone.
Commenting on Race’s performance at Donington, Ray said:
“The Protoura Race was really positive, especially in the breakaway characteristic, it was really easy and safe to drive.”
Adam added: “I’m tempted to say the tyres are even better in the wet than they are in the dry. That may be an exaggeration but it’s such a competent tyre, they just do everything well, so I continue to be impressed by them.”
Protoura Race held its own just as well in the heat at Silverstone, showing no signs of degradation or a drop off in lap time.
“In this particular championship there’s no out lap, you go straight from tyres stone cold to the grid, and I thought that could be a problem for the novice drivers. But actually because the tyres are so stable from cold, you don’t really have to bring them up to temperature”, said Adam.
Ray continued:
“Silverstone is typically quite an understeer biased power circuit and it was really positive. In the first corner you could carry a lot of speed rear axle, really stable. We changed a little bit on the setup to try and make the car turn in a little bit more, but other than that the feedback is really good and tyre degradation isn’t even a thing.”
It was a dramatic weekend of racing for Adam, having achieved pole position in race one, but having that revoked with a five place grid penalty. The drama continued in the second race, with Adam missing out on a podium place after being disqualified. Despite this, the pair both achieved 2nd place on the podium across the weekend, and celebrated the performance of first-time racer, Shay Brennan.
Shay came first in the novice category and third overall. Commenting on his experience, Shay said:
“Ray and Adam have been absolutely excellent. They’ve been helping me the entire day and I can’t thank them enough. The cars are great, the tyres are great and it’s a great championship, I’m very glad to be racing in it.”
Rounds 3, 4 and 5 which took place at Snetterton saw more of the same success for Shay, coming top once again in the novice category. Unfortunately all wasn’t smooth sailing for Ray this time, as an undiagnosed engine fault caused a significant lack of power, resulting in disappointing results. However, Adam experienced a more positive weekend, coming 2nd in each race.
Photo Credit: Peter French
The next round of the Swift Sport Challenge will take place at Cadwell Park on 12th July. Check out the Davanti Tyres’ social channels for more information.
