Grant Denyer – AUSmotive.com

MINI CHALLENGE race cut short at Bathurst

The Australian MINI CHALLENGE had a great position in the television broadcast today. Race 3, the final race for Round 6, was to be beamed live into Australia’s lounge rooms as the last event before the Top 10 Shootout for the V8 Supercars. The first two races, both won by Jason Bargwanna, were tight and exciting, and after a few ups and downs for the series management this year the MINI CHALLENGE would really benefit from a full grid and a national live telecast.

All was going well until a brutal accident on the first lap involving Darren Berry and Ryan McLeod. The crash happened towards the back of the field, on the downhill run, between the Dipper and Forest Elbow. McLeod’s MINI tagged the back of Berry’s Clipper Motor Yachts MINI and forced him head on into the wall. McLeod also slammed into the concrete, before parking on the in field just after Forest Elbow. The Safety Car was sent out, but race organisers stopped the race and declared it a no result. No points will be awarded.

The impact of Berry’s MINI into the wall was shocking. A statement from MINI CHALLENGE (shown below) reveals that Berry suffered a broken ankle and was complaining of back pain. He has been transferred to Orange Hospital where we hope he makes a quick start to a full recovery.

Berry’s accident comes on the back of Grant Denyer’s absence from the series after his incident at the NSW Monster Truck Championships last month.

Grant Denyer monstered by big truck

MINI CHALLENGE driver and Seven Network personality Grant Denyer recently suffered a back injury when a monster truck drive went, well, a bit wrong. Denyer has been driving the big rig for Clive Featherby for the last six months, just one of the many motoring events Denyer participates in. The incident happened at the NSW Monster Truck Championships held at the Dapto showgrounds last weekend. Fortunately, Grant Denyer’s crash was not serious and although he did spend a night in hospital under observation, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Speaking of the moments after the accident Featherby said, “At least Grant’s in one piece thank goodness. Even before the ambulance arrived he was telling me he wanted to drive the truck again when he got better.”

Denyer currently holds a slender lead in the inaugural series of the Australian MINI CHALLENGE. He has a heavy schedule planned at the next round of racing which coincides with the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst on 12 October. We wish Grant a quick and speedy recovery.

Messages of support can be left for Grant at the Aussie MINI CHALLENGE Army on Facebook.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Thanks to Lee for sending this in.)