Filip Engdahl Makes UK racing debut with Capture Motorsport in Britcar Endurance Series

Filip Engdahl took an important step in his racing career over the summer, joining forces with Capture Motorsport and fellow 130R Performance-supported driver Alok Iyengar for two rounds of the Britcar Endurance Series. The events marked Filip's first competitive race weekends outside Sweden, providing valuable experience of a new championship, circuit and racing environment.

The opening outing at Snetterton in August proved to be a baptism of fire. With the UK experiencing the peak of its summer heatwave, temperatures inside the Gen 1 DSG Cupra made for particularly challenging conditions over the 90-minute race distance.

Following two days of testing to acclimatise to the circuit and conditions, the new pairing encountered an unexpected setback when DSG gearbox issues prevented them from taking part in Saturday morning's crucial qualifying session.

What followed was a tremendous team effort from Capture Motorsport to get the number 66 car ready for the race. A vital gearbox component was sourced and couriered across the country from the team's workshop, arriving just 30 minutes before the pit lane opened for the grid to form up.

With the repairs completed against the clock, Filip and Alok made it to the start, albeit from the pit lane. Alok took the opening stint and delivered an impressive performance, bringing the Cupra up to P5 in the Trophy Class before handing over to Filip.

Taking the wheel for the second half of the race, Filip faced 40 minutes of hard-fought competition. A mid-race Safety Car brought the field back together, creating a closely contested battle among the Trophy Class runners. Despite the pressure, Filip brought the car home to secure an eventual P6 finish in class – a thoroughly rewarding result after the challenges of the weekend.

Beyond the result, the weekend provided an invaluable introduction to UK endurance racing and an opportunity to build experience alongside a new team and fellow driver.

A huge thank you to Alok Iyengar and everyone at Capture Motorsport for making Filip feel so welcome, to Joe Perkins at JPR Data Engineering for his support with the data tools, and of course to Filip's family for their continued support throughout the weekend – including the important job of keeping him cool in the Snetterton heat!

Photos by Sprite Photography