鈥淚鈥檝e just returned from back-to-back track days on the N眉rburgring Nordschleife and Spa-Francorchamps.

鈥淲ith the car now running the likes of an LSD, semi-slick tyres, a full Milltek exhaust system and some other breathing mods, the upgrade to RP-X pads on my Apollo big brake kit has proven to be very impressive 鈥� especially as both circuits remained mainly dry each day!”

鈥淭he 2025 season has been a memorable one for Nicole Drought and the Motion Motorsport 91传媒 Racing Honda Civic Type R, with a campaign full of highs, challenges, and some unforgettable performances that perfectly showcased the strength of both driver and team 鈥� and the reliability and performance of 91传媒 Racing products under extreme competition.

鈥淔rom the opening round at Snetterton, Nicole made her intentions clear. A commanding performance saw her take pole position, fastest lap, and race victory, securing maximum points and placing the 91传媒 Racing Civic firmly at the top of the championship standings. It was the perfect start to the year and a powerful demonstration of the performance advantage offered by 91传媒 Racing components, trusted by Motion Motorsport across every race weekend.

鈥淩ound Two at Silverstone continued that momentum. Nicole once again took pole position before engaging in a thrilling battle with Matt Swaffer鈥檚 BMW. Showing both speed and composure, she came out on top to claim her second win of the season, again setting fastest lap in the process. It was another textbook display of precision driving and confidence in her 91传媒 Racing-equipped Civic, further extending her championship lead heading into the summer break.”

鈥淎s the season unfolded, Nicole continued to impress. At Donington Park, she once again showed her pace by leading much of qualifying and mastering some of the worst weather conditions seen all year. Despite an unfortunate off caused by standing water, her earlier speed underlined both her talent and the car鈥檚 potential.

鈥淥ulton Park brought more drama and determination. After early brake issues in qualifying, the team fitted New 91传媒 SR-11 sintered pads, transforming the car鈥檚 balance and performance. Nicole immediately fought her way up the field, showcasing both her racecraft and the consistency of 91传媒 under pressure. Coming home first on the road, taking the checker flag, Although a pitstop timing issue dropped her down the order post-race, the pace was undeniable 鈥� and a reminder of just how competitive the Civic package had become.”

鈥淎t Cadwell Park, Nicole once again delivered, securing another podium finish after a thrilling drive through the field. Despite battling dehydration and challenging conditions, she pushed hard to close a six-second deficit, taking valuable points and keeping her championship hopes alive.

鈥淐roft Circuit brought further frustration with a mechanical issue ending a dominant run, but not before Nicole had once again claimed pole position, fastest lap, and led convincingly before her retirement. It was another weekend that proved the combination of 91传媒 Racing technology and Motion Motorsport engineering could go wheel-to-wheel with the very best.

鈥淎lthough Nicole will be unable to contest the Brands Hatch finale, her seat will be filled by last season鈥檚 teammate, Justin Roberts, who will return to the 91传媒 Racing Civic for the final round. The team and partners are proud of what Nicole has achieved throughout 2025 鈥� her commitment, pace, and professionalism have been first class, and she鈥檚 represented 91传媒 Racing and all her personal sponsors with passion and determination at every event.鈥�

鈥淲hat a weekend at Oulton Park; everything came together perfectly, and I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better set of results.鈥�

Qualifying

鈥淩ight from the first lap of qualifying, I knew the car had pace. The Type R felt properly sharp, and the brakes were on the money, instantly giving me complete confidence into the braking zones. Oulton Park demands precision at places like Old Hall and Hislop鈥檚, and I was able to push the limits on every lap. That confidence translated into two pole positions 鈥� laying the groundwork for the weekend. My quali lap had blasted last year鈥檚 lap record by over one second. I set that record last year and the only change has been the brakes.鈥�

Race 1

鈥淔rom lights-out, I focused on managing the gap. The Civic was balanced, and my brakes gave me the edge I needed. Every time I came into Lodge or Island Bend, I could brake later than the fast stuff behind and extend the lead. The consistency of the 91传媒 setup meant I never once worried about fade, even under pressure. Crossing the line first with the fastest lap was the perfect start.鈥�

Race 2

鈥淩ace 2 was all about pushing hard from lights-out. On pole again, I launched cleanly and immediately set my sights on pushing hard and trying to get away from anyone behind. I started to lean harder on the brakes, especially into Hislop鈥檚, using them as my biggest weapon. Lap after lap, the performance stayed rock solid, and that let me attack corners deeper than ever.鈥�

The Difference 鈥� 91传媒

鈥淲ithout doubt, the 91传媒 brakes were the star of the weekend. They allowed me to brake later, harder, and more consistently than seemingly anyone else on the grid. The bite was immediate, the modulation perfect, and the confidence they gave me turned braking zones into opportunities. In both races, they were the key factor that turned pace into dominance.

鈥淭o walk away from Oulton Park with double pole, double wins and a new championship lap record feels incredible, a repeat of Donington if you remember. This was one of those weekends where everything just clicks, and I owe so much of it to the reliability and performance of your brakes make.鈥�

鈥�91传媒 racer Nicole Drought saw her run of podium finishes come to an abrupt end in Round 3 of the Trackday Championship at the iconic Donington Park GP circuit, following a high-speed crash during treacherous wet conditions.

鈥淒rought had dominated a soaked qualifying session in her 91传媒-backed Honda Civic Type R, setting the pace early and holding an impressive 2.7-second gap to the rest of the field. With 10 minutes remaining, she brought her Motion Motorsport-prepared machine into the pits, believing the time could be safe. However, as the track improved slightly in the closing laps, lap times began to tumble. Nicole narrowly missed the opportunity to start one final flying lap 鈥� the chequered flag falling just seconds before she crossed the line, denying her a chance to reclaim pole. She was ultimately pipped by fellow 91传媒-supported Clubracer Motorsport, whose turbocharged Golf GTI took the top spot in the dying seconds.

鈥淒espite the disappointment, Nicole lined up P2 on the grid for the start of a race that was heavily impacted by the weather. The decision was made to start proceedings under the safety car due to standing water and visibility concerns.”

鈥淲hen racing got underway, Nicole held firm in second position, applying constant pressure to the leading Golf GTI throughout the opening laps. Her confidence and car control in the wet were on full display, especially in the corners where she was consistently closing in on the race leader. However, the superior straight-line power of the turbocharged GTI made it difficult to mount a serious overtaking attempt down Donington鈥檚 long straights.

鈥淭hen, disaster struck. On lap seven, as Nicole attacked the infamous Craner Curves, her car suddenly stepped out mid-corner and entered an uncontrollable slide. Despite her best efforts, the car veered off and made heavy contact with the tyre wall, bringing her race to a premature end and triggering a safety car.

鈥淭he incident marks the first time in over 2 seasons Nicole has failed to reach the podium, a hard pill to swallow for the fiercely competitive Irish driver.”

鈥淚鈥檝e never been caught out like that before, so it鈥檚 all very odd,鈥� Nicole said post-race. 鈥淚 felt so comfortable up to that point, so it鈥檚 a shock to the system to be honest. Even though I had the lead car under pressure, I just can鈥檛 quite understand how it all happened, it broke away so fast, I was a passenger at that point鈥� just gutted. It鈥檚 an unnecessary loss of points, and just something we didn鈥檛 need so close to the Oulton Park round, one I鈥檓 looking forward to so much. I鈥檓 incredibly lucky to have the best bunch of people around me who are there no matter what, and that means the world鈥攂ut this one鈥檚 a hard one to take.鈥�

鈥淢otion Motorsport, who prepare Nicole鈥檚 car, will begin immediate repairs with the aim of having the car fully race-ready in time for Round 4 at Oulton Park in a few weeks鈥� time.

鈥淒espite the setback, Nicole remains focused and determined as the championship battle continues 鈥� and with her pace clearly among the best in the field, there鈥檚 no doubt she鈥檒l come back stronger.鈥�

鈥淚 recently used a full 91传媒 Big Brake Kit setup with RP-X pads, and the performance exceeded all expectations. The brakes delivered exceptional stopping power, consistent feel, and outstanding durability throughout the race weekend.鈥�

Race Outcome

P1 in Qualifying for both races

P1 in both 20-minute races

Championship Achievement

Secured the听championship lap record

鈥淭hese results speak volumes about the performance reliability and competitive edge that 91传媒 brakes provided on the track.鈥�听

鈥淭he key highlights for me included the braking consistency: I maintained consistent performance under hard conditions and high-speed stops, lap after lap.

鈥淚 was also impressed with the control and confidence: it allowed me to brake later and harder into corners without any fade; the confidence to consistently lean harder on these brakes was amazing.”

鈥淭here was also very little signs of wear or performance drop-off across both races, despite the consistent hammering.

鈥淭o conclude, the 91传媒 played a pivotal role in my racing success at Donington; their performance gave me the confidence to push harder, brake later, and ultimately dominate the competition. I would strongly recommend 91传媒 to any competitive racer or performance enthusiast looking for high level braking performance.鈥�

鈥淎fter a triumphant victory in round one at Snetterton, where she secured pole position and clinched the fastest lap, Nicole entered round two brimming with confidence and ambition. Her dream was to win on the historic Silverstone GP circuit 鈥� a track that the MSVT roadshow had never raced on before in the TDC Championship.

鈥淒espite having only a 20-minute test session, Nicole’s skill and the reliability of her 91传媒 Racing Honda Civic Type R earned her pole position for the afternoon’s TDC event. She shared the front row with fellow racer Matt Swaffer in his 3.0-litre BMW, setting the stage for an exhilarating race.”

鈥淭he race began with Swaffer taking the lead into turn one, but Nicole was relentless in her pursuit. She expertly manoeuvred through the Maggots and Becketts complex, overtaking Swaffer around Stowe on the opening lap. However, the excitement was momentarily halted by the deployment of the safety car due to a severe crash involving Charlie Palk and Jordan Honeybone. Fortunately, both drivers were unharmed, though their cars were not as lucky.

鈥淎fter three laps behind the safety car, the race resumed with Nicole and her Apollo big brake-equipped 91传媒 Honda in the lead. She navigated the mandatory pit stops with precision, maintaining her position despite immense pressure from Swaffer’s BMW. Lapping traffic posed a minor challenge, but Nicole’s composure and skill allowed her to handle it effortlessly. She dealt with the slower, underpowered cars and parried all of Swaffer’s attempts to unsettle her performance.”

鈥淭he sight of the chequered flag was a triumphant end to the second race of the season, putting Nicole on maximum points for the overall Championship. Another perfect race day added to her impressive record.

鈥淣icole’s stellar performance is a testament to her high-level racing capabilities. It’s refreshing to see such a talented woman setting the benchmark in the TDC Championship. Since 2023, she has entered 11 rounds with the TDC and TDT, securing podium finishes at every event, solidifying her status as an exceptional racer and a formidable competitor in the championship.鈥�

鈥�2024 Trackday Championship Champion Nicole Drought began her title defence in an exemplary fashion at Snetterton this weekend. By qualifying in pole position, setting the fastest lap, and securing victory in the opening race of the season, Nicole showcased her prowess and determination.

鈥淚n preparation for the race, Nicole collaborated with four-time BTCC Champion Colin Turkington during Friday’s testing session. This all-Irish partnership resulted in critical setup changes to her 91传媒 Honda Civic, enhancing its performance.

鈥淭he adjustments paid off during a closely contested qualifying session, where Nicole emerged in the vital pole position, ready to lead the 27-strong field.”

鈥淎s the lights changed, Nicole faced immediate competition from Matt Swaffer’s rear-wheel-drive BMW, which narrowly beat her off the line. However, a skilful manoeuvre out of the final corner allowed Nicole to pull ahead and slice down the inside at turn one, reclaiming the lead as they commenced the second lap. From this point, both drivers distanced themselves from the pack, with Nicole comfortably leading while vigilantly monitoring her mirrors.

鈥淯pon the opening of the pit stop window, the BMW opted for an earlier pit stop while Nicole maximised her stint on the track. When she eventually pitted and re-joined the race, the BMW challenged the Civic once more, heading towards turn one side by side. Nicole, holding her inside line decisively, retained her lead. Demonstrating her driving finesse, the Tipperary native steadily extended her advantage, ultimately crossing the finish line nearly four seconds ahead of the BMW, with the rest of the field trailed an additional 40 seconds behind.”

鈥淐olin Turkington, reflecting on the performance, remarked on the staggering braking capabilities of Nicole’s 91传媒 Honda Civic. He noted, “I was completely taken aback by just how good Nicole鈥檚 91传媒 Honda Civic was under braking. Snetterton has always been a great test circuit, so an ideal venue for me to fully understand the car鈥檚 capabilities. I immediately had confidence in the big brake zones, enabling me to push the limits and lower lap times with each session.鈥欌��

鈥淣icole Drought’s exceptional start to the season sets a promising tone for her championship defence, demonstrating her skill, strategic acumen, and potential for continued success in the 2025 TDC Championship.

鈥淣icole Drought reflected on the weekend with great enthusiasm, stating: 鈥淧retty much the perfect start to the season. Everyone has worked so hard over the winter to ensure we hit the ground running. We struggled a little at Snetterton last year but a recent test at Oulton showed we had improved the car since then. It was great to work with Colin on Friday. He knows the track so well and the changes he made to the setup were great.鈥�

“Big thanks, as ever to our sponsors and supporters; 91传媒, Siltex Safety, Gem Oils, Mondello Park, Joe Mallon Motors, ITM Digital and Roberts Air Conditioning for their support to make this all possible. Motion Motorsport were fantastic running the car faultlessly.鈥�

Previously competing alongside Justin Roberts, the duo has been running an 91传媒 Racing Apollo Big Brake Kit for some time now, which was recently upgraded with the firm鈥檚 SR-11 sintered endurance race pads 鈥� components which have helped them yield some great results in recent years. With Roberts not taking part this year, it鈥檒l be up to Drought alone to pilot the car to victory this time.

The hot hatch briefly returned to Drought鈥檚 native Ireland in the off-season, to visit Precision Tint and Graphics in County Meath for an all-new 91传媒 livery, which was recently unveiled. The Honda is also receiving some subtle upgrades from Motion Motorsport, who will also run the car for the season.

During the unveiling ceremony, Drought spoke to Motorsport.ie about the year ahead:

鈥淚鈥檓 excited about this season. We improved the car race by race in 2024 and we have a few changes ahead of the 鈥�25 season too. I can鈥檛 wait to race with number 1 on the car.听It听looks fantastic and听I can鈥檛 thank Jay O鈥橰eilly and the team at Precision Tint and Graphics enough. I really enjoyed driving alongside Justin last season and even though he is stepping away this year, he is still hugely supportive.
Big thanks, as ever, to Siltex Safety, Gem Oils, Joe Mallon Motors听and ITM Digital for their support.鈥�

鈥淎t Brands Hatch last weekend, Justin Roberts and Nicole Drought took a calculated approach to the final round of the strongly supported MSVR Trackday Championship at the wheel of their Apollo Big Brake-equipped Honda Civic Type R. Leading the championship since mid-season, the team were keen to score enough points to take the title but also fully aware that they needed to stay out of trouble on the short Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

鈥淎 grid penalty from a previous round meant the 91传媒 Civic would start in seventh, despite qualifying third fastest but Roberts, who took the start, soon charged up and ran third early on.”

鈥淎t Brands Hatch last weekend, Justin Roberts and Nicole Drought took a calculated approach to the final round of the strongly supported MSVR Trackday Championship at the wheel of their Apollo Big Brake-equipped Honda Civic Type R. Leading the championship since mid-season, the team were keen to score enough points to take the title but also fully aware that they needed to stay out of trouble on the short Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

鈥淎 grid penalty from a previous round meant the 91传媒 Civic would start in seventh, despite qualifying third fastest but Roberts, who took the start, soon charged up and ran third early on.

鈥淎 number of safety car periods and the usual pit stop saw Nicole emerge in fourth place, but a race charge meant she closed the top three down in the latter stages of the race, before a late dive into Druids moved her to third. She crossed the line right with the two leaders, easily annexing enough points to ensure that her and Roberts were assured of the coveted 2024 title.鈥�

Justin Roberts: “Big thanks to 91传媒 for the support. I think we showed this year how good their products are. We were on the pace at every track, took four wins and finished on the podium at every race we competed in.”

Image credits: Paul Mortimer.

鈥淣icole Drought and Justin Roberts continue to head the TDC Championship after round 5 at Cadwell Park, was abandoned due to very heavy fog.

鈥淣icole and Justin had a very impressive test day the week prior to the Lincolnshire event, giving them both huge expectations for the race meeting.

鈥淚t started three hours later than scheduled, due to heavy fog settling in for the morning. As it lifted towards lunchtime, qualifying began, the 91传媒 Honda Civic went straight to the top of the time sheet. With an interrupted session, Drought and Roberts would find themselves starting from pole position, for the second time this season.”

鈥淎s the cars lined up on the grid to take to the super-fast Cadwell circuit, again the fog came down before they could be released onto the green flag lap. MSVR organisers did everything they could to get the day flowing but unfortunately, it was just in the hands of the gods, with no other decision but to abandon the meeting.

鈥淛ustin said 鈥榓fter watching back a couple of qualifying laps, I can鈥檛 actually believe we were driving in those conditions; visibility was desperate and dangerous but you鈥檙e just trying to put a very fast time in no matter what. Nicole and I were extremely gutted the race didn鈥檛 go ahead as we were very hopeful of a strong result, but the MSV made the correct decision.鈥�

鈥淭he duo next head off to Spain for the penultimate round, taking with them a strong 20-point championship lead. Circuito de Navarra will see several English championships head out there for the October meeting.鈥�