MINI Challenge to debut in Australia

[Guran]

Had a great day out at Eastern Creek last Sunday. It was great to see the cars on TV afterwards, but that was nothing to actually being at the track to see, hear and FEEL it. For future races, the news is that clubMINI are trying to link up with various MINI Challenge teams in an effort to provide volunteer pit helpers ie clubMINI members. If you're interested in helping out at MINI Challenge, and getting free entry in the process, please send Vic an email at events@nsw.clubmini.com.au.

[Guran]

Great job on the videos Liam!

[minigolf]

Some more news on the next round of the MINI Challenge:
AUSmotive.com » Paul Stokell looks forward to new Wakefield success

[minigolf]

Some amateur footage from today's MINI Challenge round at Wakefield Park.

AUSmotive.com » MINI Challenge at Wakefield Park

[minigolf]

Television highlights from the Round 1 action at Eastern Creek last month can be seen HERE.

[minigolf]

Round 3 got underway at Barbagallo today. Click the links below for all the latest...

AUSmotive.com » MINI Challenge gets Tune up in preparation for Round 3
AUSmotive.com » 2008 MINI Challenge - Round 3 Preview

[Mike Clarke]

Went to the launch of Glory Team Racing at the local MINI dealer last night.
Their driver, Dave Turner was very confident that he would be at the pointy end after finally realising what it takes to drive the MINI instead of fighting it.
The GTR MINI was on display and it looks really good in Yellow & White livery so should be easy to spot on the TV coverage.

[minigolf]

Nice one Mike. You can check the times from Barbagallo on the natsoft website. Turner is already going quite well.

[minigolf]

Day 1 update...

BARBAGALLO DAY ONE GLORY TO LOCAL HOPE, TURNER

After a glittering launch of Glory Team Racing’s stunning new United Industries supported MINI CHALLENGE racecar, Perth’s David Turner scorched around the Barbagallo Raceway to set the fastest lap of the first two practice sessions in MINI CHALLENGE today.

The experienced campaigner set the fastest lap in the cool temperatures of this morning’s first practice, ending the session one-tenth in front of UBER-STAR CAR competitor, Leanne Tander, having her first MINI CHALLENGE experience this weekend.

Neil McFadyen (Scope Signs & Graphics) backed up his third quickest time from session one by setting quickest time in the second practice session.

Tander’s fellow UBER-STAR CAR pilot, former Wallabies winger, Ben Tune impressed in practice two. Having never driven on slick tyres previously, Tune finished just 2.4 seconds below the quickest time set by McFadyen.

Local driver, Nathan Callaghan (Calmack Smash Repairs) used his experience at Barbagallo to his advantage, electrifying the big Friday crowd by setting the third quickest time in the second practice session.

The other local hopes, Paul and Todd Fiore had a tentative start to their respective weekends, Todd getting the bragging rights around the Fiore dinner table tonight, finishing both sessions in fifth. Paul finished P1 sixth and the second session ninth.

A last minute addition to the field – Perth’s Jim Sweeney – finished 12th in session two and is still finding his feet with the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racecar.

With many of the experienced drivers in MINI CHALLENGE having never visited Barbagallo in the past, most are still finding their feet around the abrasive race circuit, one of those being last round winner, Nathan Geier. Having switched to the Sherrin Rentals team and carrying an additional 25kg in success ballast due to his win at Wakefield Park, Geier finished the sessions seventh and 11th respectively.

Geier’s sparring partner from Wakefield Park, Paul Stokell (DecoRug Motorsport) was instantly on the pace, setting second quickest time in the first session. Stokell’s team-mate and Series leader, Grant Denyer had intermittent problems with his DecoRug Motorsport car, however the team is working overtime to have the car in tune for Qualifying tomorrow.

Former V8 Ute combatants, Gary Young and Damien White have performed solidly considering both are new to the circuit and in White’s case, the car.

Young is anticipated to have a strong following from fans of the Fremantle Dockers Football Club in WA, with whom he conducts strength and conditioning programs and match strategy whilst they are on the East Coast.

Session two was red-flagged with just a couple of minutes left remaining when Todd Wanless (Motorline MINI Garage) speared off the end of the circuit and heavily damaged the car. The Motorline team are currently assessing the damage and attempting to get Todd back on track before tomorrow’s qualifying and race one.

Tomorrow, competitors will be on track for qualifying at 9:05am before race one is conducted at 3:45pm.

Sunday’s second race will be broadcast live around Australia as part of the V8 Supercars telecast on the Seven Network. MINI CHALLENGE is expected to air from approximately 3:10pm. A post-produced highlights package will air on Saturday May 31.



DAVID TURNER (Fastest – Session One): “It’s not too bad for an old bloke! I feel as though I still have a bit left in me, I didn’t want to show the East Coasters the way around and have kept some in reserve for tomorrow’s qualifying. It’s a fantastic weekend for Glory Team Racing with the launch of our team to the Perth public last night and to be here on our home circuit with such a big support network is huge for all of us, I’m certainly aiming to keep the momentum flowing.”



NEIL McFADYEN (Fastest – Session Two): “You don’t win the weekend in practice. It’s nice to be back on top of the timesheets after the last round where we were a little off the pace. The M3 Motorsport team have worked tirelessly on the car and the new livery we have from Scope Signs & Graphics looks brilliant. I’m in an unusual position as compared to most of the regulars in that I have raced here in the past. I raced at Barbagallo in Formula Ford, so know the track. I think it will be a good weekend for us.”



BEN TUNE (Former Wallabies Winger): “The car was great to drive. I was a little nervous before I went out there, but once I was on track and the tyres warmed up, it was a lot of fun. The slick tyres were a different experience, but having never sat in the car previously, I think tomorrow for qualifying, I should be a lot more relaxed. The car was much faster than I thought it would be and handled brilliantly, so all in all it was a good day’s work.”




2008 MINI CHALLENGE CALENDAR:

Round 1: March 7-9 – Eastern Creek, Sydney, NSW (Round Winner: Neil McFadyen)

Round 2: April 4-6 – Wakefield Park, Goulburn, NSW* (Round Winner: Nathan Geier)

Round 3: May 9-11 – Barbagallo, Perth, WA

Round 4: June 7-9 – Sandown, Melbourne, Vic

Round 5: September 12-14 – Phillip Island, Vic

Round 6: October 9-12 – Mount Panorama, Bathurst, NSW

Round 7: November 21-23 – Symmons Plains, Tasmania

Round 8: December 4-7 – Oran Park, Sydney, NSW



*Denotes V8 Supercar Development Series round



MINI CHALLENGE POINTS STANDINGS (Top 10 – after 2 of 8 rounds):

1 Grant Denyer 306

2 Neil McFadyen 294

3 Nathan Geier 282

4 Paul Stokell 270

5 Paul Fiore 252

6 Gary Young 174

7 Dave Turner 144

8 Iain Sherrin 117

9 Todd Fiore 105

10 Michael Stillwell 81



TV SCHEDULE:

Round 3 – Barbagallo Raceway – LIVE TV: Race Two, Sunday, May 11 (Seven Network)

Round 3 Highlights: Saturday, May 31 – 1:30pm (Nationally) (Seven Network)

[minigolf]

Here's the press release from yesterday's action...

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PAUL FIORE WINS RACE ONE, TUNE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER ROLL

Local driver, Paul Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra) took his second MINI CHALLENGE victory at Barbagallo Raceway today, however the incident packed 15 lap race was marred by a single car rollover involving former Wallaby, Ben Tune.

Tune – driving a second MINI CHALLENGE UBER-STAR CAR – came across the rise heading toward the final turn on the Barbagallo Raceway, before losing control on the damp circuit on lap seven. His MINI dug into the soft ground and rolled onto its roof.

The former Wallabies and Queensland Reds winger was extracted from the racecar by on-track medical officials and was transported to Joondalup Hospital where he underwent precautionary scans. More information relating to his condition will be released at a later time.

The race was red flagged and then restarted after a break of approximately half an hour, where Fiore took the win from Nathan Geier (Sherrin Rentals) and Grant Denyer (DecoRug Motorsport).

Part one of the event was action-packed before even getting to turn one. Changeable conditions greeted drivers, with isolated showers making tyre choice a lottery, all competitors electing to enter the race with Dunlop slick tyres.

Local hope, David Turner (Glory Constructions) came together with Leanne Tander (UBER-STAR CAR) and both were stranded on the infield.

Round two winner, Nathan Geier was lucky not to t-bone one of the spinning cars. The incident brought out the first Safety Car of the Australian MINI CHALLENGE.

Once back under green, Neil McFadyen (Scope Signs & Graphics) came together with Todd Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra) whilst attempting to pass the youngster at Kolb Corner, Fiore spinning into the gravel trap. He did well to re-enter the racetrack, despite having his front spoiler dangling.

After the break to extricate Tune, the restarted event saw a major battle take place for the minor placings, up to six drivers swapping positions at will.

The battle involved pole-sitter, Damien White, Geier, Paul Stokell (DecoRug Motorsport), his team-mate Denyer, Paul Fiore, Nathan Callaghan (Calmack Smash Repairs) and McFadyen, enthralling the large and vocal crowd on hand.

Ultimately though, Fiore was able to hold onto the race lead and score a huge win in front of a big contingent of friends and family, defeating Geier by 0.22 seconds.

Third went to Series leader, Denyer, with White, Callaghan, Stokell and McFadyen rounding out the top seven. A little further back was Garry Young (SALTA Constructions), Todd Fiore and Nicholas Stillwell finalised the top 10.

Darren Berry (Clipper Motor Yachts), Mike Sherrin (Sherrin Equipment) and Jim Sweeney completed the finishers.

This morning, former double V8 Ute Champion, Damien White, qualified on pole in his first visit to Barbagallo. In incredibly wet conditions, the entertaining qualifying session saw provisional pole swap between White, David Turner and Nathan Callaghan. Whilst further down the order for much of the session, Tander slotted the second quickest time in the last couple of minutes.

Despite a late run in the session, Turner was unable to do anything about the top two.

Race two will be covered during the Seven Network’s V8 Supercar coverage tomorrow at (approximately) 3:10pm, where the Network will cross live to Grant Denyer inside his MINI CHALLENGE racer – the first time a mid-race cross (under green conditions) has been performed in some 10 years.

The final race will round out the weekend tomorrow afternoon. Highlights of all three races can be seen on the Seven Network on Saturday May 31.

The thoughts and prayers of the entire MINI CHALLENGE family are with Ben Tune and his wife Gail following Ben’s incident today. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. More information about his condition will be released when available.


PAUL FIORE: “It’s huge to win in front of the home town crowd like that. It was a great race and I was under a lot of pressure from the guys behind. It was pretty similar to Wakefield Park when I won there, actually. It’s always great to take a win, but to do it on the home track is fantastic. The race was full on from the start and there was plenty of action happening out there. The weather and damp track made that even more interesting. Tomorrow will be great, we’re starting off grid six though, so I have a bit of work to do and the weather if it remains like this will play a part in what happens. Naturally though, tonight my thoughts are with Ben after his incident.”

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I've got some pics which I won't have time to post until after Mother's Day in Bowral.

[minigolf]

A few updates (more as they come to hand)...

AUSmotive.com » MINI Challenge statement on Ben Tune
AUSmotive.com » MINI Challenge - Round 3 Wrap up

[CooperRoo]

The Perth round was awesome!

Qualifying was was done in the wet (bucketing down!) and the MINIs' were still flying!

The race report does not really convey how brilliant the racing was in race 1. With the variable conditions it was like watching a drift battle at times! Ben Tune's rollover was nasty and the car was damaged on almost every panel and both rear side glass windows were destroyed. David Turner's tangle with Leanne Tander didn't need to happen but the Red Mist does prevail at times.

Most spectators that were there for the V8 utes and Supercars were blown away to find out that the MINI's are quicker than the utes around the circuit and the comment was heard more than once that the racing from the MINI drivers was some of the best seen all weekend.

This has got to be one of the best forms of racing seen on Australian soil in a very long time!

[CooperRoo]

Some pictures from the Perth round of MINI Challenge - you see how wet it was in qualifying!

[minigolf]

Some big news for MINI Challenge was released today!

AUSmotive.com » Australian MINI CHALLENGE management rights up for sale

Everything should be running as per usual while seeking a buyer and with any luck, there'll be some good news ahead in the not too distant future.

[minigolf]

Some good MINI CHALLENGE action on Channels 7 and 10 this weekend.

AUSmotive.com » MINI Challenge - Round 3 TV highlights