TWIN DRIVER FORMAT ANNOUNCED FOR TOWNSVILLE MINI CHALLENGE

The 2009 MINI Challenge has taken an historic step forward and introduced an exciting new two-driver format for the upcoming Townsville event, coinciding with Round Three of the series next month.

A broad range of MINI Challenge competitors have already welcomed the idea, designed to mix it up for both the spectator and the driver, and interestingly was tested with considerable success in Spain recently.

The dual driver format will almost certainly attract even more drivers than the first two rounds of MINI Challenge 2009 and in doing so provide even greater depth and spirited competition.

With the MINI Challenge performance parity also it gives anybody who enters a legitimate chance to compete on an even footing with drivers from a broad cross range of competition and backgrounds.

MINI Challenge is already recognised as the most cost-effective motor racing category on the V8 Supercar schedule and the twin driver format will decrease the costs of going racing even further by sharing the logistics between two parties.

 “MINI Challenge already represents great value for money motor racing for prospective drivers,” says category rights manager Toleman Motorsport Principal Ted Toleman, “and that value is increased dramatically for Townsville.”

The idea of sharing the Racecar is not compulsory, but it’s expected to be popular.

Championship contenders who wish to remain in their John Cooper Works MINI Challenge cars singularly however can do so, but will still be required to complete the pit stop and alight from the car during the 60 second stop.

The format for the event is

Practice (Driver A)

Practice (Driver B)

Qualifying (20 minutes) – one or both drivers can qualify in this session with the fastest time for the car being recorded

Race 1 (Driver A)

Race 2 (Driver B - for shared driver option)

Race 3 (35 minutes) with a compulsory driver change and 60 second pit stop

The 35-minute final race will be televised live on the Seven Network – something that also provides a tremendous incentive for newcomers to the MINI Challenge to come out for some FUN motorsport competition.

If two Championship contenders were paired together and both hard success ballast from previous rounds, the heavier ballast amount would apply.

“I think this is a great thing for the Series, for the spectators and the teams,” believes Ted Toleman. “The ability for teams to invite named drivers or even their mates to co-pilot with them, allows for increased popularity of the series and profile of MINI in Australian Motorsport”. To complete the loop Toleman Motorsport and MINI Australia are also offering additional transport and logistics support for teams to the   remaining long hull rounds of Townsville and Perth.

“These new introductions provide an added dimension for MINI Challenge and the upside is of course that aside from the cost saving, it also generates more sizzle to the racing format for spectators. It’s a win win.” Said Ted Toleman

It’s expected the Townsville twin-driver format will also be the pre-cursor to the same system being used in Western Australia at the Barbagallo MINI Challenge round in November.

The 2009 MINI Challenge coincides with the 50th anniversary of MINI in Australia.