Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers is not only an official support category of the V8 Supercar Championship Series but an extremely strong platform for young rising stars in the world of circuit racing.
At just 16 years of age Scott McLaughlin is destined for big things. Already signed-up with V8 Supercar giants Stone Brothers Racing, the Gold Coast-based driver has been moulding his craft through MINI Challenge. With strong support from SBR and his family the youngster is also set to take on future events in the Fujitsu Development Series in 2010.
McLaughlin currently lies fourth in the Championship after two rounds – his first two competitive events behind the wheel of a racecar after many years in Karts. Fellow MINI Challenge competitor Sean Carter is also paving the way for rookie-racers in the series as he lies equal second on the ladder in his first full year at just 19 years of age.
With the series spanning seven rounds, covering some of the highest-profile and testing tracks in Australian circuit-racing, it is a fantastic means for any young up-and-coming driver to learn and develop their racing skills with a consistent, competitive and premium package.
The addition of Australian V8 Champions like Glenn Seton, Dean Canto and Paul Stokell to MINI Challenge this season also offers a benchmark of the highest quality which these rookie drivers can use as the perfect performance-gauge.
MINI Challenge driver Scott McLaughlin said:“I’ve done nine years of Karting but these opening two rounds of the MINI Challenge series have been my first ever races in an actual racecar and I have come away with so much from them. I have had a great opportunity to learn new driving skills and go out and race on tracks like Albert Park and Adelaide where I’ll hopefully be doing a lot of racing in future years. Also, going to these tracks really adds to the memory bank – I have a track simulator at home but there is nothing like being there for real and learning every inch of the circuit. Running alongside guys like Glenn Seton and Dean Canto has been another great way for me to learn new techniques because they’re such good drivers with impressive resumes and to be able to keep up with them at these events has been a huge confidence booster for me.”
Round 3 of Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers sees teams roll up to the sunshine state for the Ipswich 300 at Queensland Raceway 30 April – 02 May.
Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers is the most exciting, premium single-make series in the world. The seven round series runs as an official support category of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
