This morning marks the opening session for the 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge– delivered by Pizza Capers as teams take to the streets of Adelaide for round 1, Clipsal 500.
The scene is set for a battle of youth versus experience, prominently highlighted by the addition of 16-year-old Scott McLaughlin to the field who will go toe-to-toe with the best in the business, including veteran PaulStokell who returns to the series in search of consecutive MINI Challenge crowns.
Stokell will again compete under the Deco Rug Racing banner and undoubtedly set the pace as a triple round winner in 2009. "We had a fantastic 2009 season with Deco Rug Racing and I’m pleased to be onboard again and of course we’ll be looking to repeat last year’s performance and win the MINI Challenge again this season. The Challenge car proved to be a real winning package and offer some real close-fought racing.This year some new faces join the old ones and I think each race you’ll see most of the field battling for the top spot so things should be prettyexciting this season." Said Stokell.
At just 16 McLaughlin is already a remarkably established driver and arising star in the sport as a multiple Karting champion for the past eight years. The youngest ever New Zealand Kart Champion will have his first taste of the John Cooper Works R56 which will provide him with invaluable experience and a solid platform to launch into a career in touring cars.
Joining the fold for the second year running is none other than dare devil extraordinaire and motorsport enthusiast Robbie Maddison who enters as theseries’ first UBER star driver for 2010. The man they call "Maddo" has shownpast speed which could quite swiftly convert the stunt rider from two wheels to four but this, his first street circuit attack, will be a true test ofdriving character against an entry-list of quality talent. "I am really excited to be given the opportunity to be driving the PizzaCapers Uberstar MINI this weekend at the Clipsal 500. It is a big challengefor me to drive with this level of drivers. I hail from two wheels but itdoesn’t matter what I’m in, I am going to give it my all." Said an enthusiastic Maddison. Adding to the experience artillery is 2000/2005 V8 Development Series winner and former V8 Supercar race winner Dean Canto who will be looking to kicko ff his 2010 campaign in winning fashion in his Stillwell Motorsport entry and show the field that experience counts for a lot in this industry.
Hoping to prove him wrong is 23-year-old Chris "The Chris" Alajajian who embarks on his second full season of MINI Challenge racing after asuccessful 2009 which saw the former A1GP Team Lebanon driver finish second in the series to Stokell. Another youngster making his MINI Challenge debut is 22-year-old ChrisWootton fresh off a fine season in the Formula BMW Pacific Series which saw him pick up a string of podium finishes to end the season as the highes tplaced Australian driver. Committing to a full MINI Challenge season this year, Wootton is poised to gain a huge amount of experience as the series covers seven events across Australia’s marquee motor-racing circuits. "This is a huge learning year for me as I’ve only ever raced at Oran Parkand Winton and once at Bathurst in a MINI but that was two years ago so it is all going to be very new to me! I think it’s going to be a really competitive season with guys like Canto and Stokell to go up against. I haven’t done any testing yet but I think after some more time in the car we can pick up the pace and take it to these sorts of guys. I’m looking forround wins come the end of the season that’s for sure!" Commented Wootton.
The Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers will again offer all competitors a one-make John Cooper Works R56 package with a fiery 1.6l turbocharged engine rocketing crews from 0-100kph in 6 seconds via an impressive 260Nm of torque. A solid combination of KW Racing suspension and an AP Racing ABS brake package compliments its power to provide all crews with a fun and competitive race-car. Clipsal 500 will see a three-race format (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) with an inverted top 10 for race two and a points accumulation grid for Race 3 on Sunday morning at 0815hrs.
With MINI Australia committed to MINI Challenge until 2011 the series is setfor another exciting year as an official support category to the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by PizzaCapers also marks the 51st year of the iconic MINI brand and what better wayto present such fine tradition than through Australia’s most prolific motorsport calendar.
Entry List will include: Paul Stokell #1 Chris Wootton #3 Dean Canto #6 Scott Manson #8 Chris Alajajian #9 Gavin Yorrt #11 Peter McNiven #13 Scott McLaughlin #15 Dale Wood #19 Brendan Cook #25 Sean Carter #28 Robbie Maddison #50
