The fifth round of the Australian MINI Challenge was held at Phillip Island last weekend. The first race on the program was held on Saturday and was televised live on Channel 7. If you missed it, fear not as here are two YouTube clips showing the broadcast in full. Nathan Caratti, from Glory Team Racing, completed a clean sweep of all three races and further highlights from the round are scheduled for Aussie TV screens this coming weekend.
Championship leader Paul Stokell had a shocker, mechanical gremlins only allowed him to score points in the third and final race. His lead is now a slender 30 points over teammate Grant Denyer. Each race win is worth 60 points, which means there are a maximum of 180 points up for grabs each round.
Also of interest in this round was the Uber-Star Car which saw motorcycle daredevil Robbie Maddison at the wheel.
Round 5 results and driver quotes are sure to be added to the MINI Challenge website soon, so make sure you keen an eye out for more info.
TOP TEN CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS*
- Paul Stokell DecoRug Racing – 591
- Grant Denyer DecoRug Racing – 561
- Scott Bargwanna ROCK Energy Drinks – 489
- Chris Alajajian Standox Paints – 462
- Nathan Caratti Glory Team Racing – 447
- BJ Cook ROCK Energy Drinks – 250.5
- John Modystach Prosurve – 232.5
- Geoff Emery Stillwell MINI Garage – 168
- Paul Morris Standox Paints – 138
- Gary Young Stillwell MINI Garage – 129
*Not published by MINI as yet. Figures based on previous round in addition to the results available on the NATSOFT website.
7 replies on “MINI CHALLENGE 2009 – Round 5, Race 1”
Scott did well in car 8. 6th, 4th, (had pole in race 2, reverse grid 6th-1st) 10th in race 3. This due to selecting wets in the garage, then on the sighting lap realizing slicks were preferable, and changing the tyres in pit lane and having to start the race after the field from the lane. Probably would have been 4th in the last race otherwise. All in all an impressive debut and first circuit race !
That is blardy impressive. Send my congrats to him Mark. As I said previously, I knew he would do well after seeing his laptimes at the ATC this year on the same circuit! Is he planning to do this full time next year?
But Mark, you missed out on a cracker weekend in Sydney as a result. 😛
Nice work to Scotty! How did his race manager hold up under the pressure?
Way, he’s looking for sponsorship, you should advise him on that… Toddles, his race manager
has no pressure issues, calm under fire…
Way you’re lucky I wasn’t in Sydney or I’d be taking the karting trophy home to Mexico with me. Sounded like Vic needed a fast guy !
Mark, ask him to call me on sponsorship advice lol. I may charge for it though.
Vic doesn’t need a fast guy. My lap times were pretty quick – when I stay on the track. But I spun a couple of times and black flagged heaps of times. What Vic needs is someone who is fast and consistent and not a single lap wonder!
[…] 5 of the Australian MINI Challenge was held at Phillip Island back in mid-September. Race 1 was covered live, while this highlights package shows snippets from the first two races, before […]