Round 3 of the 2008 MINI Challenge began at Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia earlier today. As reported previously there’s been a few driver changes to the line up with drivers swapping seats or making their debuts, such as Todd Wanless, pictured above. But, perhaps, the driver with the most potential to rattle a few cages this weekend is Leanne Tander.
Leanne, wife of V8 Supercar driver Garth Tander, will be driving one of the MINI Uber-Star Cars this weekend. The MINI Uber-Star Cars are designed to bring a broader focus to the MINI Challenge at each round, through engaging high profile personalities from the areas of sports, entertainment and media. Leanne Tander is arguably Australia’s most credentialed female race driver, becoming the first lady racer in the world to win a Formula 3 race and in 2007, she went perilously close to wrapping up the Australian F3 Championship. She currently lies fourth in the 2008 F3 Championship. She wasted no time in staking her claim for outright honours either, posting the second fastest time in this morning’s first practice session, behind fellow West Australian David Turner.
Turner (Glory Constructions), along with racing brothers—Paul and Todd Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra)—have torn the welcome sign down at the Wanneroo circuit and expect the massive local crowd to be right behind their efforts as they attempt to claw their way up the leader board. After setting the fastest lap time in session one Turner was full of confidence, “It’s not too bad for an old bloke! I feel as though I still have a bit left in me, I didn’t want to show the east coasters the way around and have kept some in reserve for tomorrow’s qualifying. It’s a fantastic weekend for Glory Team Racing with the launch of our team to the Perth public last night and to be here on our home circuit with such a big support network is huge for all of us, I’m certainly aiming to keep the momentum flowing.”
Further West Australian flavour will be added by local endurance racing specialist, 24-year-old Nathan Callaghan (Calmack Smash Repairs)—who has completed two Sepang and two Bathurst 12 Hour events. The Mandurah resident will join the existing three drivers with a big support crew on hand.
Neil McFadyen was cautiously optimistic after his return to form saw him top the second practice session, “You don’t win the weekend in practice. It’s nice to be back on top of the timesheets after the last round where we were a little off the pace. The M3 Motorsport team have worked tirelessly on the car and the new livery we have from Scope Signs & Graphics looks brilliant. I’m in an unusual position as compared to most of the regulars in that I have raced here in the past. I raced at Barbagallo in Formula Ford, so know the track. I think it will be a good weekend for us.”
Former Wallaby and Queensland Reds winger, Ben Tune is driving the other Uber-Star Car during the Barbagallo weekend as the MINI Challenge supports the BigPond 400—the fourth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. Tune handled himself very well during practice and said, “The car was great to drive. I was a little nervous before I went out there, but once I was on track and the tyres warmed up, it was a lot of fun. The slick tyres were a different experience, but having never sat in the car previously, I think tomorrow for qualifying, I should be a lot more relaxed. The car was much faster than I thought it would be and handled brilliantly, so all in all it was a good day’s work.”
Tomorrow, competitors will be on track for qualifying at 9:05am before race one is conducted at 3:45pm. Race two of the three races in Perth will be broadcast live on the Seven Network on Sunday May 11 (check your local guides) and a half hour post-produced program will be shown on Seven on May 31 at 1:30pm nationally.
MINI Challenge leader board (Top 10 – after 2 of 8 rounds):
- Grant Denyer – 306
- Neil McFadyen – 294
- Nathan Geier – 282
- Paul Stokell – 270
- Paul Fiore – 252
- Gary Young – 174
- Dave Turner – 144
- Iain Sherrin – 117
- Todd Fiore – 105
- Michael Stillwell – 81