MINI Challenge to debut in Australia

[minigolf]

The R56 will make it's MINI Challenge debut in Australia in just a few weeks. Yesterday young gun Neil McFadyen was announced as the lead driver for the M3 Motorsport team. And last week it was revealed there would be some great free-to-air television coverage of the series.

Should be a cracking series, I can't wait for it to kick off.

[Mike Clarke]

Did you miss last weeks announcement about Paul Stokell driving for DecoRug Racing Liam?

[minigolf]

Yes, I did, thanks for the update Mike.

[ScottyB]

Can't wait for this to be honest, think it will be fantastic Have to try and get along to one of the events

[steve11]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyB (original)

Can't wait for this to be honest, think it will be fantastic Have to try and get along to one of the events

+1
no excuse either when there are 4 rounds in N.S.W.

[minigolf]

A bit more news on the MINI Challenge.

They'll be having a different "celebrity" racer each round ... sounds a bit twee to me. But, perhaps if they can land some big names it might work???

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original)

A bit more news on the MINI Challenge.

They'll be having a different "celebrity" racer each round ... sounds a bit twee to me. But, perhaps if they can land some big names it might work???

Hi Liam,

Interestingly the "celebrity car" is privately owned and entered (Stillwell BMW from victoria) and is not a BMW Australia or Mini Challenge / Sherrin Motorsport car.

I guess they figured to maximise there TV exposure it would be good to get a different person in the car for each round. It is probably a pretty smart concept They may not win the series, but I guarantee they will get plenty of TV time

Cheers

Robbo

[minigolf]

Wow, that's a very interesting tactic.

[minigolf]

Another article of note, thanks to Guran for spotting it...

Wheels - Mini Challenge fires up

[minigolf]

Thanks to robbo for the tip off...

EASTERN CREEK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY 09/03/2008
NATSOFT Race Result

[minigolf]

R56 MINI Challenge makes worldwide racing debut in Australia

[minigolf]

A bit of a one way conversation this, but never mind...

MINI Challenge, Rnd 1 / 2008 - a photoset on Flickr

Thanks to swgn for sharing his pics.

[Mike Clarke]

From the Natsoft race results a comparison with the other cars racing at the weekend

2008 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series
Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 125kph, Race Av.Speed Is 124kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:50.4062 Set On 22/11/2006 By Grant Johnson

2008 Mini Challenge Australia Series
Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 133kph, Race Av.Speed Is 131kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:45.8829 Set On 08/03/2008 By Jason Bargwanna

2008 Aussie Racing Car Series
Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 135kph, Race Av.Speed Is 133kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:43.5824 Set On 11/06/2007 By David Sieders

2008 Australian Formula Ford Championship
Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 145kph, Race Av.Speed Is 144kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:36.0203 Set On 09/03/2008 By Paul Laskazeski

V8 SUPERCARS
Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 150kph, Race Av.Speed Is 146kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:31.7301 Set On 28/03/1999 By Mark Skaife

[85NIXMIN]

Ahhh they looked sooo good on the track

[swgn]

Not forgetting the Superkarts, which were even quicker than the V8 Supercars!

Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 155kph, Race Av.Speed Is 150kph
Current Race Lap Record Is 1:28.7243 Set On 08/06/2006 By Warren Mcllveen