Mango Farmers John and Kain Magro are set to make their debut as a two-car team in the 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers at this weekend’s Ipswich 300 at Queensland Raceway.
While Kain has never competed behind the wheel of a MINI R56 Challenge car, brother John raced at Sandown during last season, and in very competitive fashion. Together the brothers will enter under the Magro Motorsport banner and will contest this weekend’s round along with the Sucrogen Townsville 400 plus hope to contest the remaining rounds, pending budget allocations.
At just 24 and 22 respectively, John and Kain are no slouches behind the wheel and will be giving it their all in search of a round win in the series. Both drivers are previous Formula Ford and Speedway State Champions with John currently running 4th in the Formula Ford National Australian series.
Hailing from Mareeba in far-north Queensland, the youngsters will be looking to make a name for themselves as the fastest brothers in MINI Challenge history when they take their just4wd.com.au MINIs to the track this weekend.
This will be a fine test for the pair given the pedigree of brotherly racing in past Australian MINI Challenge seasons which has seen four separate brother-combinations compete in the same round (Aaron/Nathan Caratti, Iain/Michael Sherrin, Paul/Todd Fiore and Karl/Chris Reindler).
MINI Challenge driver John Magro said:“It’s great to be heading to these two V8 Supercar rounds and running in the MINI Challenge series against some of the country’s top drivers. So far both Kain and I will be contesting the Ipswich and Townsville events thanks to strong support from our new sponsor just4wd.com.au. Last time I was out in a MINI I had no tools and one mechanic who was a friend, and we managed to finish 4th for the weekend. Hopefully Magro Motorsport can get me all the way to the top of the standings. Kain has never driven a front-wheel-drive racecar before but he is a very competent driver and I have no doubt he will do well especially with his motorsport background.”
Round 3 at Queensland Raceway will see a 4-race format next Saturday and Sunday with two practice sessions on Friday. The first competitive lap will take place 09.00am Saturday morning when MINI Challenge competitors take to the paperclip track for qualifying.
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.
Ipswich 300 – Entry List1 Paul Stokell QLD 3 Chris Wootton QLD 5 Luke Youlden VIC 6 Dean Canto VIC 7 John Magro QLD 8 Kain Magro QLD 9 Chris Alajajian NSW 11 Gavin Yortt NZ 13 Peter McNiven VIC 15 McElrea Racing TBA 19 McElrea Racing TBA 25 Brendan Cook QLD 28 Sean Carter VIC 50 Steven Brabury VIC 68 Stephen Butcher NSW 95 Matthew MacKelden QLD
MINI Challenge Points Table after Round 2
Pos/ Driver/ Team/ Pnts 1 ALAJAJIAN, Chris Jack Hillermans Smash 264 2 CARTER, Sean Plan4Growth 218 = McNIVEN, Peter Nulon/Supercharge Batteries 218 4 McLAUGHLIN, Scott Fujitsu 203 5 STOKELL, Paul DecoRug Racing 197 6 WOOD, Dale Eagle Fuels/Best Tractor Parts 193 7 MANSON, Scott Yournextcar.com.au 176 8 YORTT, Gavin Squawking Magpie Wines 149 9 CANTO, Dean Stuntdrivingschool.com.au 121 10 COOK, Brendan Transquip Hire/ABC Autogear 103 11 SETON, Glenn Kickass Racing 92 12 DOULMAN, Grant Doulman Automotive 90 13 MACKELDEN, Matt DecoRug Racing 89 14 WOOTTON, Chris Thesupporterclub.com 83 15 NEWMAN, Sam Pizza Capers 71 = ZEREFOS, Aaron Fiji Water/Bulla Dairy Foods 71 17 MADDISON, Robbie Pizza Capers 67 18 THOMAS, Dylan CXC 58
