Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers - NEWS POINTS
*17 John Cooper Works MINIs will take to the grid at this week’s Australian Grand Prix.
*Glenn Seton, Aaron Zerefos, Dylan Thomas, Matt Mackelden and Grant Doulman to join all 11 drivers from Round 1to form Grand Prix grid.
*Glenn Seton, Dean Canto, Dale Wood and Paul Stokell have all competed in the official V8 Supercar Championship category in previous years.
*Sam Newman will run as the Pizza Capers UberStar driver.
*Chris Alajajian will start Qualifying with a 24-point series lead.
*Sean Carter and Peter McNiven sit on equal points in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
*The Australian Grand Prix 2010 marks the 18th round of the Australian MINI Challenge series since it’s induction in 2008.
*After heavy damage sustained during Round 1, Brendan Cook’s team at Stillwell Motorsport have done a great job in having the MINI ready for Grand Prix action.
A healthy grid, full of new faces will line up at Albert Park this week for Round 2 of the Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers. Melbourne will be a buzz of excitement as MINI Challenge drivers rub shoulders with Formula 1’s elite as a support category for the event.
Back for Round 2 are all eleven competitors from Round 1 along with some new faces and former competitors from the 2009 series. Aaron Zerefos and Dylan Thomas join the fold for their first ever race in the John Cooper Works MINI Challenge car while Grant Doulman jumps back in the MINI after contesting the final round of the MINI Challenge at Homebush last year. Matthew Mackelden is back after a stint in the MINI Challenge car in Townsville last season and will be looking to put his skills to the test here in Melbourne.
Behind the wheel of MINI Challenge car for the first time in 2010 is V8 Supercar legend Glenn Seton who joins a raft of former V8 Supercar heroes in what is set to be one of the most dynamic MINI Challenge races in it’s three year history. Seton will be looking to repeat his last performance in the MINI Challenge which saw him finish equal first for the round with two race wins at Homebush back in December.
Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers series leader Chris Alajajian will be rearing to go as he looks to increase his solid 24 point lead in the championship. The Pizza Capers UberStar driver for the event is AFL Star and TV Personality Sam Newman who returns for a second GP in the MINI after a successful ’09 effort in the car.
Warm temperatures are set to greet competitors as they roll out onto the famous Albert Park circuit for the second time in Australian MINI Challenge history. The format for the event sees qualifying take place Thursday evening (18.05) followed by three races over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers series leader Chris Alajajian said:
"We are going to head to the Grand Prix with the same plan of attack – consistency and pace. I’m hoping to secure a new sponsorship deal this week so hopefully we will have a new look MINI and I can repeat my performances from Clipsal and impress these guys in Melbourne. Albert Park is a big track and just a minor mistake can scrub so much off the lap times so concentration is going to be key in doing well here. It will be good racing just like the first two at Clipsal. When you have guys like Stokell, Canto and Dale Wood in the mix it makes for some great racing and these new guys I’m sure will spice things up. Things were tight and very eventful last year so hopefully we can see more of this next week. Close racing with lots of action is why I joined the MINI Challenge two years ago and it keeps getting better and better so I expect some exciting stuff in Melbourne."
Australian Grand Prix – Entry List
- Paul Stokell #1
- Chris Wootton #3
- Grant Doulman #4
- Glenn Seton #5
- Dean Canto #6
- Scott Manson #8
- Chris Alajajian #9
- Gavin Yortt #11
- Peter McNiven #13
- Scott McLaughlin #15
- Dale Wood #19
- Brendan Cook #25
- Sean Carter #28
- Aaron Zerefos #46
- Sam Newman #50
- Dylan Thomas #68
- Matthew Mackelden #95
