Last month confirmation came through that the MINI Challenge has been locked in as a support category for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 to be held in October.
With no open wheelers from Indy Car or the scuppered A1GP categories the Gold Coast event offers an all Australian cast. Organisers have modified the well known street circuit reducing it from 4.7km in length down to 2.96km.
Ted Toleman, MINI Challenge Category Manager, says, “The new circuit and great entertainment planned by V8 Supercars is going to make for a fantastic show in October and the category is pleased to be able to support one of the country’s most iconic races.
“We have seen some thrilling MINI Challenge action this year as the category continues to grow and I’m sure the same exciting racing will be on offer when we head to the streets of Surfers Paradise.”
Full press release after the break. The MINI Challenge returns to on track action next weekend for the Dunlop Townsville 400.
OFFICIAL : MINI Challenge To Line Up For Gold Coast 600
June 4 2010: Hertz MINI Challenge – delivered by Pizza Capers – has this week been named an official support category of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 event taking place on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, Friday October 22 – Sunday October 24.
With a modified, shortened, 2.96 kilometre track being used for the first time, the MINI R56 Challenge car is set to excite huge crowds at the Gold Coast event with less straights and more technical aspects on offer to fully suit the MINI’s circuit style.
The Surfers Paradise based event has become one of Australia’s most iconic motor-races running every year since 1991. This will be the second time MINI Challenge heads beachside after some exciting racing in 2009 which saw an arduous battle between Paul Stokell and Chris Alajajian with Stokell just taking the cake.
In 2010 MINI Challenge is set to showcase three supreme races to massive crowds thanks to a 20% average reduction in ticket prices across the board on last year’s event which is now managed by Gold Coast based V8 Supercars Australia.
The category is pleased to be named on the official schedule and be a part of the three-day SuperCarnivale of entertainment, which sees 18 of the most established international drivers compete alongside V8 Supercar’s best, and 16 musical acts that will play across three big nights at Broadwater Parklands including the most recent inclusion – The Beach Boys.
The next event in the MINI Challenge 7 round series takes crews to North Queensland for the Sucrogen Townsville 400 for three hotly contested races from July 9 – 11.
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.
Category Manager, Toleman Motorsport, Ted Toleman said:
“We are proud to once again be invited to the Gold Coast event for the second year running. The new circuit and great entertainment planned by V8 Supercars is going to make for a fantastic show in October and the category is pleased to be able to support one of the country’s most iconic races. We have seen some thrilling MINI Challenge action this year as the category continues to grow and I’m sure the same exciting racing will be on offer when we head to the streets of Surfers Paradise.â€
2010 Australian MINI Challenge Championship Table – Top 10
| Pos | Driver | Team | Pts |
| 1 | ALAJAJIAN, Chris | Jack Hillermans Smash | 379 |
| 2 | STOKELL, Paul | DecoRug Racing | 340.5 |
| 3 | CARTER, Sean | Plan4Growth/Sales Link Australasia | 318 |
| 4 | McNIVEN, Peter | Nulon/Supercharge Batteries | 316 |
| 5 | YORTT, Gavin | Squawking Magpie Wines | 256.5 |
| 6 | CANTO, Dean | Stuntdrivingschool.com.au | 203 |
| = | McLAUGHLIN, Scott | Fujitsu | 203 |
| 8 | WOOD, Dale | Eagle Fuels/Best Tractor Parts | 193 |
| 9 | COOK, Brendan | Transquip Hire/ABC Autogear | 190 |
| 10 | WOOTTON, Chris | www.thesupporterclub.com | 185 |
