Team Australia A1GP driver John Martin was resigned to the fact he’d be watching this week’s Nikon SuperGP from the comfort of his couch, until he was offered a MINI Challenge that was too good too refuse!
The NSW born, QLD and Silverstone (UK) based open wheel wizard went from couch potato to Cooper Works pilot in a little under 24 hours and will now saddle up in the #16 twin scroll turbocharged MINI with 16 other combatants.
“Obviously I am a bit disappointed that A1GP is not here, but it is a privilege to drive the MINI on the Gold Coast this weekend. It is quite a late deal but here we are, have helmet, will race. It’s very good.”
Martin joins one of the toughest rounds yet in the almost two year history of the MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers, around the streets of the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast always puts on a good event and to be able to compete in the MINI Challenge is a good deal for me,” he admits, “This is my first time in a tin-top, I have never raced anything with a roof before so that’s pretty exciting in itself. I’m impressed with the field that I’m racing in too, some of the guys like (Paul) Stokell and (Grant) Denyer and (Glenn) Seton, they’re all really good drivers who have proved themselves in tin-tops, touring cars and V8 Supercars.”
Martin is understandably excited to be competing in the event, but also to be running a MINI John Cooper Works R56.
“This definitely adds something unique to my resume, it’s something different to put in there and to be able to race again in Australia it obviously adds to my profile. I am still looking for sponsors to help me keep racing over in Europe next year. Formula One is still the big dream that I have and racing here on the Gold Coast this weekend is a great place to be introduced to new people. Lots of people watch this event and come down to see it live so this whole weekend is an excellent opportunity, both on track and off, for me to showcase my talent to potential sponsors.”
The MINI Challenge opportunity has come at the right time for Martin, for a number of different reasons.
“Ever since this event was announced last year I was looking forward to it. The Gold Coast is one of the great places to race and then to get told it was not going to happen was devastating. Then this great opportunity came up with MINI and I’m happy again now. I have mates coming down from Blackwater (Central Western Queensland) that I haven’t seen for months, my family, even people from overseas and they were all disappointed that they weren’t going to see me race on the Gold Coast. They are all still here and are going to have a great time now!”
He’s not here to make up the numbers, not surprisingly.
“Hopefully I can run at the front. Obviously I have never driven a sedan before, so it is going to be a great experience for me and I just hope I can mix it with the big boys at the front. I love racing, it is something that I have always wanted to do and if it has got four wheels and I have a helmet with me I’ll have a go. Last year in Australian Formula 3 here I did quite well; I qualified on pole by a good margin and won two of the three races. I really enjoy the circuit, I love the atmosphere and I love the Gold Coast. I come from Queensland so it’s great to race in my home state as well.”
John Martin’s last minute inclusion into the 2009 MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers this week is a major coup for organisers of the Nikon SuperGP and MINI Challenge itself.
The field includes:
Paul Stokell QLD
Grant Denyer NSW
Nathan Caratti WA
Chris Alajajian NSW
Scott Bargwanna NSW
Glenn Seton QLD
Beric Lynton QLD
Brendan Cook QLD
Ryan Hansford QLD
Wayne Miles QLD
Brendon “BJ” Cook NSW
Sean Carter VIC
Grant Sherrin QLD
John Modystach QLD
Iain Sherrin QLD
Tom Pickett QLD
John Martin QLD
MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers, kicks off on Day One (Thursday, October 22) of the Nikon SuperGP at 10.10am with practice…
