Behind the wheel for Gala Performance were CEO Mark Thompson and Operations Director Andrew Scott, who have been competing under the Gala Performance Racing banner since they first gained their racing licences in 2018.

Over the years, they’ve shared the track with some of the sport’s brightest names — including European Le Mans Series champion Christian England, Porsche Carrera GB stars Max Coates and Sid Smith, and Welsh champion Rhys Lloyd.

The Donington finale was a gruelling test of consistency and teamwork. The Gala Performance duo, alongside Watts, drove with discipline and focus, staying out of trouble and pushing when it mattered. The reward was a commanding class win and a place in the history books as the first-ever Am Class winners in the Citroën C1 Challenge.

Reflecting on the result, Andrew Scott said:

“We’ve been plugging away since 2018, racing against some incredible drivers and learning with every stint. To finally stand on the top step, and to do it as the very first Am Class winners, is something special. It shows how far we’ve come, both as individuals and as a team.”

Mark Thompson added:

“This class was created to make the series more competitive, and it’s done exactly that. To win it on day one is huge for us. It’s all about the journey, and proving that with hard work and persistence, the results do come."

For Gala Performance, the victory means more than just silverware. As a business that supplies race teams with equipment such as gazebos, awnings, flooring, and pit walling, our involvement in motorsport isn’t limited to the paddock. We put ourselves out there in the thick of it, testing both our products and resilience against the same challenges our customers face.