Sixteen MINI R56 Challenge cars will grid-up for what is expected to be one of the tightest rounds all year as crews head to the famous Grand Prix track in Victoria. This will be the second closed- circuit event for the season, away from street-circuits, with many crews eagerly waiting to tackle the track that has offered loads of experience, in past racing, for many competitors.
Alongside the regulars, four drivers will be making their debut in the Australian series by the way of Josh Hunt, Craig Innes, Elliot Barbour and Dave Thomas. Hunt, a former CIK Stars of Karting Series Champion and Toyota Atlantic Series competitor, will have his first taste of MINI action on the island.
Innes has been appointed the Pizza Capers UberStar for the event and will also make his debut in the Australian MINI Challenge series. Innes is no stranger to the MINI however, competing in the New Zealand version of the series for the past two years, he was crowned the 2008/2009 series Champion in the slightly different, supercharged R53 version of the pocket-rocket.
The third rookie driver will be Thomas, father to MINI Challenge regular Dylan. With piles of experience in Tarmac Rallying this will be the CXC Global driver and owner’s first race at the top tier of Australian circuit-racing. Also debuting in the series is Barbour who, at 19-years-old, is a hot prospect in Australian circuit racing competing in the 944 Challenge in 2009, amassing an unrivalled 16 podiums from 19 races.
The way the 2010 series points table is structured, there are still 20 competitors who can mathematically win the series leaving the championship door wide open with three rounds remaining. Newly inked JAXQuickfit driver Chris Alajajian leads the series closely followed by the most raced competitor and 2009 MINI Challenge champion Paul Stokell.
Nipping at their heels are local lads Peter McNiven and Sean Carter who sit in third and fourth respectively with just eight points separating the pair. Both youngsters will be competing on a track they have previous racing experience on, which will be the first case this year for the duo.
MINI Challenge Series Leader Chris Alajajian said:
“It’s great to head into this round leading the series and coming off our third round win for the year. I won’t be resting on my laurels though because Paul [Stokell] is right on my tail and the two young guys are not far behind him so we’re going to need 100 percent focus for this one to maintain the series lead. This is a long track, the longest of the year for us, so it’s going to take some adjusting both mechanically and mentally to produce the perfect lap every time. At the moment weather in the area is horrendous and if it continues this way conditions could be extremely tricky around the circuit - I will be bringing paddles in-case there is any potential of flooding, so I’m prepared!”
MINI Challenge Driver Josh Hunt said:
“I’m really looking forward to my first opportunity at driving these fantastic MINI race cars and I'm extremely grateful to both DecoRug and MPC for giving me this chance. My history in the sport is predominantly from Karts and they say the MINI R56 has similar attributes [to that of a Go-Kart] so I think I’m really going to enjoy myself out there. I have been following the series all year and have noticed how tight a lot of the races are due to the nature of its one-make format so I’d like to think we can be competitive at Phillip Island this weekend. I have a good team-mate to feed off in Paul Stokell but being my first time in the car I don’t expect too much on the results sheet but come Sunday I’ll be looking to see how our speed matches up against some of the stronger drivers in the series.”
Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers is the most exciting, premium single-make series in the world. The seven round series runs as an official support category of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Originally designed in 1956, the circuit was re-born for the 1989 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The fast and flowing venue has been basically unchanged and apart from hosting a regular round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, also hosts two international motorcycle events.
Track Facts – L&H 500 Phillip Island
Circuit length: 4.45 kilometres
Circuit direction: Anti-clockwise
Average speed: 174 km/h
Maximum speed: 290 km/h
Fastest point: Gardner Straight
Slowest point: Honda Corner (Turn 4)
