MINI CHALLENGE SANDOWN ROADSHOW A MAJOR SUCCESS! The inaugural MINI Challenge Roadshow was held at Sandown over the weekend (September 20) and it was a roaring success on many levels. 26 drivers took their turn behind the wheel to experience the supreme handling, powerful braking and performance potency of the John Cooper Works (JCW) R56 racecars and there were some impressive drives. The idea was to entice potential teams and drivers to experience the MINI Challenge racecars around the Sandown Raceway with a view to participate in the remaining three rounds of the 2009 series and or into 2010. Drivers came from a variety of backgrounds from V8 Supercars, Formula Ford and GT Championship to name a few. V8 Supercar debutant Ben McCashney was one such young gun that came away from Sandown very impressed. "I was surprised. The handling was amazing. The braking, the controllability, the handling, it was a fantastic car to drive. I can definitely see myself racing one of these cars, they'd be so much fun." Other notable participants included rising star Ben Walter, Robbie Jane (the youngest son of legendary racer Bob Jane) and current GT Championship combatant Andrew Barlow. "The Roadshow was a tremendous success," smiles National Manager for MINI Justin Hocevar, "we had plenty of interest and it was a great opportunity for us to showcase not only the racing aspects of the JCW racecars but also the exciting commercial aspects of MINI Challenge." Roadshow coordinator Craig Nayda was also pleased. "Our goal was to entice new teams to embrace what we have to offer," he says, "and I'd be certain that some of the people who drove yesterday will saddle up at one or all of the remaining three rounds in 2009. Beyond that, we have significant interest in 2010." The next MINI Challenge Roadshow is scheduled for this Thursday, September 24 at Oran Park Raceway and Friday, September 25 at Queensland Raceway. Interested drivers can contact Craig Nayda through craignayda@spherix.com.aumailto:craignayda@spherix.com.au or phone (07) 56 689 000 to register their interest in hot lapping a MINI Challenge JCW Racecar.