![Australian MINI Challenge](http://www.ausmotive.com/images/MC2008-R5-01s.jpg)
When the MINI Challenge first launched in Australia it was always supposed to be a five-year plan. But, the recent financial woes of the world have already claimed one major Australian series in 2009, with the demise of the Porsche Carrera Cup. So, it is welcome news to learn that the local MINI Challenge series has been secured until at least 2011.
The management rights of the MINI Challenge have already changed hands once, and the extension of the current partnership between MINI Australia and Toleman Motorsport should see the series continue to gather momentum.
Confirmation of this news was made by Justin Hocevar, National Manager for MINI Australia, at a press conference during the Sandown event last weekend.
“We’re pleased to announce our continued support of MINI Challenge into the 2011 season, and that includes maintaining all our current relationships that we have in place, including the one with our category management agency Toleman Motorsport.”
Ted Toleman, principal of Toleman Motorsport, is also happy to that the status quo will remain in place, “MINI Challenge offers highly competitive skills based racing with the backing of a global auto brand on the highest profile Championship motor racing series in the southern hemisphere, and with a comprehensive TV package that captures all of the excitement for fans. It’s got a lot going for it.”
In further good news for the category, Pizza Capers have extended their sponsorship deal for the rest of the 2009 season.
The relationship began at the Townsville round last month and Pizza Capers Marketing Manager, Adrian Burton, says his company is a good fir for the MINI brand, “Pizza Capers are a gourmet product at the upper end of the pizza market, and MINI are at the premium end of small car market, so the synergies between the two products are spot on.
“We are a company that is growing nationally and very quickly, just like the popularity of the MINI Challenge Series, plus it receives fantastic television coverage around Australia on Network 7.”
The series is now formally known as the MINI Challenge—delivered by Pizza Capers.
[Source: MINI.com.au]