2009 MINI CHALLENGE – Round 1, Race 2

After two strong performances Paul Stokell is best placed to claim the Round 1 honours in the 2009 MINI CHALLENGE series.

Stokell won a shortened first race by 1.6 seconds from Chris Alajajian, with Nathan Caratti in third (full results HERE). The race was reduced from 6 to 3 laps due to the event schedule running over time.

Race 2, a top 6 reverse grid start, was won by Gary Young with Stokell chasing hard just 0.6 seconds behind. Nathan Geier took third place to claim his first podium for season 2009 (full results HERE). The full broadcast of Race 2 can be viewed after the jump.

Race 3 will be broadcast live on Channel Ten tomorrow from 12:40pm.

Paul Powers to Race One MINI Challenge Win

Paul Stokell powered to an all the way win in a lap-shortened Race One of Round One of the “The boat that rocked” MINI Challenge at the Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park this afternoon.

The race was shortened due to time to the event program running over time leading up to MINI Challenge’s appearance.

“We’re very pleased,” said DecoRug Racing owner Bill Gremos, “Paul did a great job to consolidate the win and Grant was very quick from the back. Had we had those extra three laps I think he could have gotten into the top six. We’re looking very good this weekend regardless and it’s exciting.”

Stokell was quickest in practice and qualifying and continued that stirring form with a strong win in the 3 lap affair which was shortened from an original 6 laps to win over Sydneysider Chris Alajajian in second place and West Aussie Nathan Caratti in third.

“I got an average start,” frowned Caratti, “Chris (Alajajian) went straight past me and we both got by Bargwanna. It was hard to make up any ground on Chris or Paul in the next couple of laps, we couldn’t really get enough momentum to make any ground up.”

“The cars are a lot of fun,” smiled Alajajian, “I’m really surprised how great the car was to drive. I was pushing pretty hard and I think we still have some things we can do with it before Race Two.”

Just outside the top three was the un-sponsored Nathan Geier in fourth, Scott Bargwanna in fifth, Gary Young sixth, Andrew Mill seventh, Grant Denyer eighth, Beric Lynton ninth, Peter Leemhuis tenth, Nathan Callaghan eleventh, Damien Flack twelfth, Barrie Nesbitt thirteenth, Grant Doulman fourteenth, Sam Newman fifteenth, Tony Alford sixteenth, John Modystach seventh, Brendon Cook eighteenth and Helen Lindner.

Stokell’s DecoRug Racing team mate Grant Denyer was the big mover of the field powering his John Cooper Works MINI from 18th position (he had mechanical problems in qualifying) to 8th in a sizzling drive.

“That was the most fun I’ve had in a Racecar in ages,” grinned an obviously pleased Denyer, “I’d love to have run the other three laps but that’s out of our control.

The car was great and I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow and Sunday for the remaining races.”

The event was broadcast live on ONE HD with the remaining two races being broadcast live on Network TEN and ONE HD tomorrow and Sunday at the following times:

Saturday, March 28
Race Two – 12.35-12.50
Sunday, March 29
Race Three – 12.40-1.00pm

With the inverted top 6 format for Race Two tomorrow Gary Young and Scott Bargwanna will share the front row with Paul Stokell and Chris Alajajian starting on the third row, guaranteeing an exciting charge through the order.

Round One of the 2009 MINI Challenge is presented by “The boat that rocked” – a Universal Pictures film that has its premiere in Australia this Monday night.

MINI Challenge also welcomes the support of Baskin-Robbins® Australia – the world’s favourite Ice Cream, and Castrol Oils, Borbet Wheels and Dunlop Tyres.

Please visit www.minichallenge.com.au for more information…