MINI2

AJB44B · Jun 25th, 2007, 05:13 AM

Just announced today....

MINI CHALLENGE SET TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN DEBUT IN 2008

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport is pleased to announce the
approval of a new one-make national racing series to be known as the
'MINI Challenge' which will hit Australian circuits starting from 2008.
The series is expected to visit all states and territories around the
country and will join the likes of Formula 3, Formula Ford and Carerra
Cup as domestic racing categories which also have strong links
internationally.

"It is great to welcome the iconic MINI back to the Australian motor
racing scene after so many years," said Graeme Emerton, Chairman of
CAMS' Australian Motor Racing Commission.

"The MINI Challenge, which is already being run in a number of European
countries and also New Zealand, has been an incredibly successful
initiative and MINI's long term commitment to Australian motor sport
with this series will provide confidence to competitors and event
promoters alike."

The MINI brand has had a long association with motor sport in Australia,
particularly in Touring Car racing with their most significant
achievement coming in 1966 with Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden at the
helm of the victorious Morris Cooper S at Bathurst, a race in which Mini
cars amazingly filled the top nine places.

More recently, Australian MINI motor sport activities have focused on
tarmac rallying with a three-car team campaigned in 2006 and 2007. The
lead Team MINI racer, driven by Paul Stokell, finished ninth outright in
the 2007 Targa Tasmania rally in April.

According to Justin Hocevar, National Manager MINI, the MINI Challenge
is the most exciting new international series to reach Australian motor
sport for several years.

"We have very solid competition credentials both overseas and here in
Australia thanks to Team MINI.

"Thanks to the gripping on-track action, MINI Challenge is sure to find
a strong and loyal following among racing fans both trackside and on TV.

"The series is the ideal entry point to motor racing with competitors
expected to be drawn from the ambition-rich ranks of go-karting and
open-wheel formulae.

"With MINI Challenge we will be bringing an affordable, competitive and
very exciting series to Australia. It will be good for racers,
spectators, sponsors and for motor sport in general," Justin said.

The series will also mark the international motor sport debut of the
brand new R56 generation MINI Challenge race cars which will be built to
a global racing specification in Germany later this year.

minigolf · Jun 25th, 2007, 05:55 AM

Wow, that will be awesome!

MickyD · Jun 25th, 2007, 06:17 AM

emmachizit?

ZapoMCS · Jun 25th, 2007, 08:25 AM

spensiv!

Blacky · Jun 25th, 2007, 09:59 AM

How much I'm interested.
We looked at them when we went to Puke for the V8 and they look great and I think will get a lot of interest as a support race.
By this it looks like BMW will be running the show??????

robbo mcs · Jun 25th, 2007, 10:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky (original)

How much I'm interested.
We looked at them when we went to Puke for the V8 and they look great and I think will get a lot of interest as a support race.
By this it looks like BMW will be running the show??????

Hi,

Sherrin motorsport are running the show. Sherrin motorpsort allready runs the porsche carrera cup series, and the mini series is being piggy backed onto that

It will be very expensive

6 figures ++ per year. However, in return there will be decent media / TV coverage, making sponsorship attractive

Cheers

Robbo

doona · Jun 25th, 2007, 10:34 AM

That is awesome!!... good to see.. bout bloody time

minigolf · Jun 25th, 2007, 10:58 AM

I'll donate my, albeit probably medicore, driving services for FREE to anyone willing to provide me a car for the series.

dsakko · Jun 26th, 2007, 01:12 AM

DAVE WANTS IN!

Can't afford to drive, but hell if people want a service crew I'm there!

Blacky · Jun 26th, 2007, 01:13 AM

Hi Robbo
Funny you say that, that is exact what I said to the GF when I read the thread.
"Sherrin Motorsport could do the same as the Porsche cup".
I guess the price will be relative to the number of rounds.
Will keep the eye out.

dsakko · Jun 26th, 2007, 01:15 AM

Can't comment on Carrera Cup or Mini Challenge, but I know that $100k is cheap for entry into the Utes. You've got to remember that $100k is entry level for national circuit racing, whether it be Formula Ford or the Mini Challenge (which I think all here agree is the PREMIERE racing category in 2008

).

MAD Always · Jun 26th, 2007, 01:19 AM

Looking forward to see the action next year.

Any mini2er's going to give it a go?

Quickbrick · Jun 26th, 2007, 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

Can't comment on Carrera Cup or Mini Challenge, but I know that $100k is cheap for entry into the Utes. You've got to remember that $100k is entry level for national circuit racing, whether it be Formula Ford or the Mini Challenge (which I think all here agree is the PREMIERE racing category in 2008

).

Agree that 100k is probably entry level....but once you do the maths (and factor in the travel, accommodation, workshop fees and damage) you are looking at closer to $200k for the MINI Challenge :-0

Having said that, I can't wait to see it all unfold. Judging from the international coverage I've seen of other MINI Challenges, it appears to be a very competitive and "aggressively fought" series similar to the V8 utes here. Bring it on I say :-D

ZapoMCS · Jun 26th, 2007, 08:47 AM

Quickbrick, when I saw you had post here I thought you might have been entering :-)

Do you know if Ken is trying to enter?

Quickbrick · Jun 26th, 2007, 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ZapoMCS (original)

Quickbrick, when I saw you had post here I thought you might have been entering :-)

Do you know if Ken is trying to enter?

Ahh Gary, Ive spent many hours trying to work out how to get the $200k together but all of the ways I can think of carry a high risk of imprisonment if things go wrong

You do get to keep the car at the end of the series. And considering it's original value is $85k you would think it would retain 2/3 of that value to sell to another competitor the following year (assuming the series continues) so I guess this makes the series more like $120-150k. Then you just get yourself a couple of $50k major sponsors and maybe sell a couple of drives for $15k each (if you had to) and you get to race the other 5 or so races for free!

Haven't heard from Ken lately. Maybe he's busy chasing up a couple of those $50k major sponsors

robbo mcs · Jun 26th, 2007, 11:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky (original)

Hi Robbo
Funny you say that, that is exact what I said to the GF when I read the thread.
"Sherrin Motorsport could do the same as the Porsche cup".
I guess the price will be relative to the number of rounds.
Will keep the eye out.

Hi,

8 rounds promised, but I think they are still working out the what, when and how

Unfortunately I am not going to be competing. I would rather direct my motorsport budget to rallies which I prefer to circuit racing

Cheers

Robbo

dsakko · Jun 26th, 2007, 11:04 PM

Robbo, just think of the FUN you could have in rallying if you had a budget of $200k!!!

MickyD · Jun 27th, 2007, 12:58 AM

how awesome would it be if these were at the GP next year....

ScottyB · Jun 27th, 2007, 01:42 AM

Fantastic news...

Can't wait to see this

Blacky · Jun 27th, 2007, 08:31 AM

Porsches are around $20,000.00 a round (buy a drive), so I don't see mini's being anywhere near that.
Rock up and drive + airfares + accom + damage

Jun 25th, 2007, 05:13 AM	#1
AJB44B MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Velodrome Local Time: 09:38 AM Posts: 9 Offline	MINI Challenge 2008 Just announced today.... MINI CHALLENGE SET TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN DEBUT IN 2008 The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport is pleased to announce the approval of a new one-make national racing series to be known as the 'MINI Challenge' which will hit Australian circuits starting from 2008. The series is expected to visit all states and territories around the country and will join the likes of Formula 3, Formula Ford and Carerra Cup as domestic racing categories which also have strong links internationally. "It is great to welcome the iconic MINI back to the Australian motor racing scene after so many years," said Graeme Emerton, Chairman of CAMS' Australian Motor Racing Commission. "The MINI Challenge, which is already being run in a number of European countries and also New Zealand, has been an incredibly successful initiative and MINI's long term commitment to Australian motor sport with this series will provide confidence to competitors and event promoters alike." The MINI brand has had a long association with motor sport in Australia, particularly in Touring Car racing with their most significant achievement coming in 1966 with Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden at the helm of the victorious Morris Cooper S at Bathurst, a race in which Mini cars amazingly filled the top nine places. More recently, Australian MINI motor sport activities have focused on tarmac rallying with a three-car team campaigned in 2006 and 2007. The lead Team MINI racer, driven by Paul Stokell, finished ninth outright in the 2007 Targa Tasmania rally in April. According to Justin Hocevar, National Manager MINI, the MINI Challenge is the most exciting new international series to reach Australian motor sport for several years. "We have very solid competition credentials both overseas and here in Australia thanks to Team MINI. "Thanks to the gripping on-track action, MINI Challenge is sure to find a strong and loyal following among racing fans both trackside and on TV. "The series is the ideal entry point to motor racing with competitors expected to be drawn from the ambition-rich ranks of go-karting and open-wheel formulae. "With MINI Challenge we will be bringing an affordable, competitive and very exciting series to Australia. It will be good for racers, spectators, sponsors and for motor sport in general," Justin said. The series will also mark the international motor sport debut of the brand new R56 generation MINI Challenge race cars which will be built to a global racing specification in Germany later this year.

Jun 25th, 2007, 05:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 14,480 Offline	Wow, that will be awesome! Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Jun 25th, 2007, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
robbo mcs Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 2,796 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky (original) How much I'm interested. We looked at them when we went to Puke for the V8 and they look great and I think will get a lot of interest as a support race. By this it looks like BMW will be running the show?????? Hi, Sherrin motorsport are running the show. Sherrin motorpsort allready runs the porsche carrera cup series, and the mini series is being piggy backed onto that It will be very expensive 6 figures ++ per year. However, in return there will be decent media / TV coverage, making sponsorship attractive Cheers Robbo Mods: GO MADDIE and SPARKY!

Jun 25th, 2007, 10:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 14,480 Offline	I'll donate my, albeit probably medicore, driving services for FREE to anyone willing to provide me a car for the series. Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Jun 26th, 2007, 01:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
dsakko MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, S.A. Local Time: 08:08 AM Posts: 717 Offline	DAVE WANTS IN! Can't afford to drive, but hell if people want a service crew I'm there! Feb 02 R50

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Jun 25th, 2007, 06:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
MickyD MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 4,150 Offline	emmachizit?

Jun 25th, 2007, 08:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
ZapoMCS Dash Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brisbane Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 402 Offline	spensiv!

Jun 25th, 2007, 09:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Blacky MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 263 Offline	How much I'm interested. We looked at them when we went to Puke for the V8 and they look great and I think will get a lot of interest as a support race. By this it looks like BMW will be running the show??????

Jun 25th, 2007, 10:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
doona ......... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 2,819 Offline	That is awesome!!... good to see.. bout bloody time

Jun 26th, 2007, 01:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Blacky MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 263 Offline	Hi Robbo Funny you say that, that is exact what I said to the GF when I read the thread. "Sherrin Motorsport could do the same as the Porsche cup". I guess the price will be relative to the number of rounds. Will keep the eye out.

Jun 26th, 2007, 01:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
dsakko MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, S.A. Local Time: 08:08 AM Posts: 717 Offline	Can't comment on Carrera Cup or Mini Challenge, but I know that $100k is cheap for entry into the Utes. You've got to remember that $100k is entry level for national circuit racing, whether it be Formula Ford or the Mini Challenge (which I think all here agree is the PREMIERE racing category in 2008 ). Feb 02 R50

Jun 26th, 2007, 01:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
MAD Always Mini Tragic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Menai, Sydney Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 503 Offline	Looking forward to see the action next year. Any mini2er's going to give it a go?

Jun 26th, 2007, 07:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
Quickbrick MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brisbane Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 321 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original) Can't comment on Carrera Cup or Mini Challenge, but I know that $100k is cheap for entry into the Utes. You've got to remember that $100k is entry level for national circuit racing, whether it be Formula Ford or the Mini Challenge (which I think all here agree is the PREMIERE racing category in 2008 ). Agree that 100k is probably entry level....but once you do the maths (and factor in the travel, accommodation, workshop fees and damage) you are looking at closer to $200k for the MINI Challenge :-0 Having said that, I can't wait to see it all unfold. Judging from the international coverage I've seen of other MINI Challenges, it appears to be a very competitive and "aggressively fought" series similar to the V8 utes here. Bring it on I say :-D QuickBrick

Jun 26th, 2007, 08:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
ZapoMCS Dash Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brisbane Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 402 Offline	Quickbrick, when I saw you had post here I thought you might have been entering :-) Do you know if Ken is trying to enter?

Jun 26th, 2007, 08:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
Quickbrick MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brisbane Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 321 Online	Quote: Originally Posted by ZapoMCS (original) Quickbrick, when I saw you had post here I thought you might have been entering :-) Do you know if Ken is trying to enter? Ahh Gary, Ive spent many hours trying to work out how to get the $200k together but all of the ways I can think of carry a high risk of imprisonment if things go wrong You do get to keep the car at the end of the series. And considering it's original value is $85k you would think it would retain 2/3 of that value to sell to another competitor the following year (assuming the series continues) so I guess this makes the series more like $120-150k. Then you just get yourself a couple of $50k major sponsors and maybe sell a couple of drives for $15k each (if you had to) and you get to race the other 5 or so races for free! Haven't heard from Ken lately. Maybe he's busy chasing up a couple of those $50k major sponsors QuickBrick

Jun 26th, 2007, 11:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
robbo mcs Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 2,796 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky (original) Hi Robbo Funny you say that, that is exact what I said to the GF when I read the thread. "Sherrin Motorsport could do the same as the Porsche cup". I guess the price will be relative to the number of rounds. Will keep the eye out. Hi, 8 rounds promised, but I think they are still working out the what, when and how Unfortunately I am not going to be competing. I would rather direct my motorsport budget to rallies which I prefer to circuit racing Cheers Robbo Mods: GO MADDIE and SPARKY!

Jun 26th, 2007, 11:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
dsakko MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, S.A. Local Time: 08:08 AM Posts: 717 Offline	Robbo, just think of the FUN you could have in rallying if you had a budget of $200k!!! Feb 02 R50

Jun 27th, 2007, 12:58 AM	#18 (permalink)
MickyD MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 4,150 Offline	how awesome would it be if these were at the GP next year....

Jun 27th, 2007, 01:42 AM	#19 (permalink)
ScottyB Take me down to Paradise My Classifieds Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: David McGhan's World Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 190,702 Offline	Fantastic news... Can't wait to see this - Global Moderator - MY BLOG - Global Procrastinator - ... You're considering hiring me for your latex salesman ...

Jun 27th, 2007, 08:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
Blacky MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 263 Offline	Porsches are around $20,000.00 a round (buy a drive), so I don't see mini's being anywhere near that. Rock up and drive + airfares + accom + damage

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