Super Stokell takes Grand Prix Pole

A fantastic blast during the final minutes of qualifying saw DecoRug Racing driver Paul Stokell claim pole for round 2 of the Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Stokell’s 2m17.96s around the Albert Park circuit rocketed him almost a full second in front of current series leader Chris Alajajian and after a mediocre round 1, due to engine issues, Stokell will be rearing to go in race 1 this afternoon.

Third and fourth fastest respectively were V8 Supercar legends Dean Canto and Glenn Seton who battled hard to finish the session less than two tenths of a second apart. Unfortunately for Seton his MINI Challenge R56 car was deemed slightly under height by CAMS officials and the V8 star will start race 1 from the rear of the grid as a result.

Nineteen-year-old Sean Carter showed great poise to eventually qualify in fourth spot after Seton’s penalty. It was a great effort by the youngster who was clearly pushing hard on track using all of the road and sometimes more as he finished a mere 0.03 seconds off Canto’s time.

Another former V8 star, Dale Wood rounded off the top-5 with a fine display of driving by the Victorian.

Race one takes place today at 14.35 and will see all 17 competitors take to the grid in what is sure to be one of the most exciting MINI Challeneg races in recent history with four former V8 Supercar greats taking it to the best in the MINI Challenge business.

Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers is the most exciting, premium single-make series that delivers the MINI brand values of exciting, extroverted, integrative and chic. The seven round series runs in conjunction with - and an official support category of – the V8 Supercar Championship Series.