at least until 2011.
National Manager for MINI Australia Justin Hocevar made comment regarding the future of MINI Challenge at the fourth round of the Series - delivered by Pizza Capers - over the weekend.
“We’re pleased to announce our continued support of MINI Challenge into the 2011 season,” he announced at Saturday’s press conference, “and that includes maintaining all our current relationships that we have in place, including the one with our category management agency Toleman Motorsport.”
Hocevar gave the existing MINI Challenge teams an increased sense of confidence and sent a clear message to prospective MINI Challenge pilots, sponsors and fans that “We’re here to stay.”
He made the announcement sitting alongside legendary former Formula 1 Team Boss Ted Toleman to his left and to his right UBER Star (and Olympic Gold Medallist) driver James Tomkins, Raf Toda (Toleman Motorsport) and new series partner Adrian Burton from Pizza Capers.
“We have a great relationship with V8 Supercars,” Hocevar continued, “and they have been very supportive of our burgeoning Series. We’re going forward with confidence that we can continue to grow on all levels.”
V8 Supercar Chairman Mr. Tony Cochrane understands the importance of MINI Challenge as a support category and issued the following statement to go with the Press Conference.
“The MINI Challenge is an integral part of our Championship and has beena fantastic category for the sport," Mr. Cochrane said, “not only is it great racing but the added capability of being able to include celebrity drivers from time to time, which clearly you can't do in a V8 Supercar, has added an extra dimension to the MINI Challenge and to our events."
Ted Toleman sees many positives on the horizon as his company nears one year at the helm as MINI Challenge’s category management agency.
“MINI Challenge offers highly competitive skills based racing with the backing of a global auto brand on the highest profile Championship motor racing series in the southern hemisphere, and with a comprehensive TV package that captures all of the excitement for fans. It’s got a lot going for it.”
MINI Challenge has also played a significant role in the increase of JCW (John Cooper Works) sales.
“There’s no doubt,” says Hocevar, “that the coverage and exposure MINI Challenge has provided for the JCW brand has been a major contributor to record sales in June and already a July result that is well up on 2008.”
MINI Australia’s commitment into 2011 gives Toleman Motorsport and the many teams that race within MINI Challenge the peace of mind that the momentum will keep rolling.
Justin Hocevar is keen to expand MINI Challenge on all possible levels.
“We welcome and invite teams, sponsors and fans to join the MINI family as we pay homage to our first 50 years of Motoring and Motorsport in Australia and at the same time write new pages into our book of history.”
