December 5, 2010: Sean Carter’s final weekend of MINI Challenge at the Sydney Telstra 500 turned out to be devastating, being unable to complete the weekend as a result of the Plan4Growth/OnTimeEarth MINI impacting with the turn eight tyre wall during a torrid race one.

Heading into the event with high hopes, a slightly incorrect qualifying setup compromised the protégé of Rock Racing V8 Supercar star, Jason Bargwanna. This was despite showing some good pace in the two practice sessions.

Qualifying sixth placed the 19-year-old mid-pack and on racing terms with his nearest Championship combatant, Peter McNiven and the two Spanish racers – former GP2 star Javier Villa and Jose De Los Milagros – guesting in the Series.

Proving they weren’t here for a holiday, the Spaniards mixed it up with the two young Aussies and Carter was forced to push hard to maintain pace with McNiven. This ultimately proved his undoing – the car drifting into the turn eight tyre wall.

The resultant suspension damage left the black and blue MINI John Cooper Works Challenge racecar decidedly bruised. After some frantic work post race one, the crew decided it was unfixable and that put pay to Carter’s weekend – and his charge towards third in the Championship.

Not scoring a point throughout the weekend dropped Sean to fifth in the overall point standings behind Gavin Yortt.

The Telstra Sydney 500 event was the final race meeting for Hertz MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers in Australia after its recent cancellation by BMW Group Australia. The Carter team is currently working on plans towards its 2011 campaign – where Sean promises to bounce back and take another step forward – so stay tuned!

CARTER’S CORNER:

“This weekend was all about pushing for race wins and ultimately, that’s what brought us undone. We had some pace in the Plan4Growth/OnTimeEarth MINI during practice, but I went the wrong way with some options for qualifying, which buried us.

“It was tough, hard racing with the Spaniards and Pete and unfortunately at turn eight, the car didn’t respond the way I expected and I ended up in the tyres.

“My mechanics said the car was too severely damaged to continue and to rub salt into the wound, Gavin got us for fourth in the Series, so it was a double whammy. Devastating.

“Looking back on the year as a whole, we had a couple of DNF’s and some bad luck, but we always had excellent pace and brought home solid results, which is not easy against quality competition.

“I have to thank first and foremost the sponsors that have been right behind us every step of the way, including Plan4Growth, OnTimeEarth, Specialised Body Works, Jack in the Box, 3M, PPG, BELL Helmets and Helenic Dairy.

“The guys at Bargwanna Motorsport and Rowse Motors have been looking after the car for us all year and Jason Bargwanna has been an outstanding inspiration to my family and I over the last 18 months since moving up to National competition, it’s been amazing.

“Without the support of my family, I’d be nowhere, particularly, my Dad Les. He puts his heart and soul into my motorsport and he’s the one that makes it all happen.

“Finally, I want to thank the guys that I’ve been racing with on MINI Challenge this year. It’s been fun, challenging, but overall rewarding and I hope we all meet in another category whatever that may be!

“We will be back stronger next year with the knowledge and experience of this year behind us and I’m really looking forward to bigger and better things!”

FINAL STANDINGS – 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers:

More Information:

Matt Payne

Acclaim Media for Plan4Growth Racing

Ph: 0413 082 142

Em: matt@acclaimmedia.com.au

November 29, 2010: Heading into the final event of the 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge season at the Telstra Sydney 500 this weekend, Victoria’s Sean Carter has his eyes firmly on a Series podium result. He is also aiming to go down in the history books as the final MINI Challenge Australia event winner.

With BMW Group Australia bringing the curtain down on MINI Challenge after three years this weekend, it is a bittersweet weekend for the Plan4Growth team – who entered the Series in 2010 as team owners.

Having raced on the 3.4 kilometre Sydney Olympic Park layout last year under the Bargwanna Motorsport banner, Carter believes that experience will hold him in good stead for this weekend’s stoush.

The 19-year-old protégé of ROCK Racing V8 Supercar star Jason Bargwanna sits 13 points back from fellow Victorian Peter McNiven and a further 102.5 points behind second placed man, Paul Stokell.

Sean concedes he would need a virtual miracle to surpass Stokell and even Series leader, Chris Alajajian (132 points in front), but with 180 being the perfect score from the three races – it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

After coming agonisingly close to his first race win on the Gold Coast in October, the youngster is aiming to rectify that situation in Sydney.

Carter and the Plan4Growth team have been working hard on sponsorship options for 2011, the team now being forced to look further afield to continue their racing program following the cancellation of MINI Challenge.

With the addition of two Spanish MINI Challenge drivers, the Championship up for grabs and everyone chasing that crown as the final MINI Challenge round winner, it’s sure to be “game on” this weekend in Sydney!

CARTER’S CORNER:

“We’re aiming for third in the Championship, should we get anything more than that, it would be a bonus. Mathematically, it is possible to finish further up the chain, but realistically, third is our goal.

“The Gold Coast showed we had the pace to be challenging for race wins. It was an epic race with Paul and if it wasn’t for a slower car baulking me out of the final corner, I would have got away with the win.

“But that’s in the past and our focus is on Sydney. Last year’s event really set a benchmark and the track is incredibly challenging. We’re able to stretch the legs of the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge racecars over the back of the circuit and approach the 240kph maximum speed.

“It has a mixture of everything, but is very tight and those walls come up quickly. The Gold Coast put me in street circuit mode, so we’re ready to take it on.

“Of course we are very disappointed that BMW elected to cancel MINI Challenge for 2011 and beyond. It had been our aim to race in the Series next year. With the decision coming so late, it has thrown our 2011 plans into chaos and we’re back to the drawing board. We are looking at the options against our budget and will hopefully have some plans in place early into the new year. The last thing we wish to do now is have a year away from the sport. We have to build on what I’ve learnt racing in a national Series over the last 18 months.

“I have to thank our supporters, On Time Earth and Plan4Growth for their partnership throughout the year and also the Bargwanna Motorsport team. Jason has been unwavering in his support of our efforts since we first hooked up last year and its been a pleasure once again to work with the Bargwannas, Tim Rowse and the guys who’ve worked tirelessly on the car.

“We’re heading to Sydney aiming for a big result. We’ve got the usual suspects out there looking for the Championship win, along with some one off drivers, so it’s going to be a fascinating weekend. We cannot wait.”

RACE SCHEDULE – Hertz MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers:

Sydney Telstra 500 – Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay

3.4km, Anti-Clockwise

Friday, December 3

08:00-08:20 – Practice 1

11:05-11:25 – Practice 2

17:00-17:20 – Qualifying

Saturday, December 4

12:15-12:35 – Race 1

17:35-17:55 – Race 2

Sunday, December 5

9:45-10:05 – Race 3

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS:

1. Chris Alajajian – 691 points

2. Paul Stokell – 662.5

3. Peter McNiven – 572

4. Sean Carter – 559

5. Gavin Yortt – 509.5

MORE INFORMATION:

Matt Payne

Acclaim Media for Plan4Growth Racing

Ph: 0413 082 142

Em: matt

October 25, 2010: Sean Carter took his Plan4Growth/On Time Earth MINI to an outstanding result in support to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 across the weekend, finishing two races on the podium and recording the closest ever finish for a MINI Challenge race in Australia.

After spectacularly fighting his way into the lead during Saturday’s race two, current MINI Challenge Series Champion, Paul Stokell hunted down Carter. The pair reached lapped traffic on the last corner and Stokell drew level on the front straightaway, the veteran getting the nod by just 0.01 of a second. So close was the finish, officials even inspected both cars post race to ensure their transponders were located in the same position!

If that excitement wasn’t enough, in Sunday’s third race, a top two result was stolen from Carter when Glenn Seton rounded up the youngster and Stokell on the final lap to win. Sean was attempting to extract the maximum from his 240 kilometre per hour, 211 horsepower MINI Challenge racer.

The weekend didn’t start well with a throttle issue putting Sean out of practice on Friday morning, however with this problem fixed, he showed great pace to qualify in sixth place. He advanced one place in the opening race before the top eight were inverted for race two, placing Sean off grid four.

The result moves Sean closer to his nearest Championship rival, Peter McNiven – narrowing that gap to just 13 points with another round to go in Sydney, where he will try and elevate himself into the top three – and score his first race win.

It was a rewarding weekend for Sean and the Bargwanna Motorsport-run team. They will now regroup and prepare for the Sydney event in early December.

WHAT SEAN HAD TO SAY:

“Overall, I’m incredibly happy with how the weekend panned out. We closed on Peter a little and he’s right in my sights as we head to Homebush. I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t on the MINI Challenge podium for the weekend, but we bagged solid points – and nearly got a win!

“On Friday when we had the problem I thought it was going to be one of those weekends, but it turned out amazingly well for us. The fly by wire problem we experienced put us right off from the beginning, we didn’t get on to setting up the car until basically after race one.

“Race two was just amazing. To be leading and nearly winning was a great feeling…but getting caught up on the final corner with a lapped car which distracted me just enough that Paul could sneak through for the win. I don’t think it could have been any closer!

“The third race was just an awesome race all round. Any one of us had potential to win it and it could have gone either way.

“I’m absolutely stoked with that after having the re-build from Phillip Island and we’ll be going all out in Sydney, I can assure you of that!”

SEAN CARTER QUICK RESULTS – Hertz MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers, Armor All Gold Coast 600, Surfers Paradise, Queensland
Practice: DNS

Qualifying: 6th

Race 1: 5th

Race 2: 2nd

Race 3: 3rd

Round: 4th

Championship Positions:

1. Chris Alajajian 691 points

2. Paul Stokell 662.5 points

3. Peter McNiven 572 points

4. Sean Carter 559 points

5. Gavin Yortt 508.5 points

More Information:
Matt Payne

Acclaim Media for Plan4Growth Racing

Ph: 0413 082 142

Em: matt

Acclaim Media was first introduced to the 19-year-old Victorian last year when he joined the Bargwanna Motorsport MINI Challenge team.

The Plan4Growth supported driver, who receives coaching and mechanical support from Bargwanna, is currently third on the MINI Challenge table with a slight shot of taking out the crown.

“Sean is a sensational talent and a really mature young man for someone of his age,” Acclaim Media’s Matt Payne said. “I know this was something that instantly attracted Jason to him when they originally came to their arrangement last year and it’s an honour to be representing Sean and his team for the remainder of 2010.”

The Hertz MINI Challenge, delivered by Pizza Capers Series has two events remaining for 2010 – the Armor All Gold Coast 600 at the end of October and the Telstra Sydney 500 in December.

Acclaim Media will be providing a pre and post event press release service, providing briefing notes to on-track and television commentators and assisting to build Sean’s profile in his local community of Sunbury, in Victoria.

He will provide karting content from around Australia and around the world to the publication.

Matt has been a contributor to Motorsport News in the past – when still in fortnightly print form – and is very much looking forward to be back behind the keyboard.

“It’s great to be back providing journalistic content,” he said. “I always find that the journalistic style of writing assists with my PR writing.”

Matt pointed out the association would not impinge on any PR arrangements that he has or existing relationships elsewhere.

“I always say to my clients and media stakeholders that each deal I do is mutually exclusive and my goal – from the PR side of the fence – is to get the best possible result for the client and I will always strive to find the best fit, regardless of the publication or opportunity.”

Subscription details and sample copies of Motorsport eNews can be found by visiting www.mnews.com.au. It is published each Monday evening, Eastern Australian time.

Any parties involved in karting that would like to forward media releases or any details can do so to matt@acclaimmedia.com.au.

Despite losing a substantial amount of practice with an issue traced to the rear suspension, Dan set the 16th fastest time in Friday’s final practice. The issue meant the team was playing catch up from the beginning and struggled to find a balance with the car that suited the driver.

In qualifying, although he was just a second from the fastest time, so competitive is the current V8 Supercar Championship, Gaunt qualified 27th – a result he would repeat in Sunday’s 20 minute free-for-all session.

Saturday’s race saw the 25-year-old Kiwi endure a tough race – the second consecutive event where V8 Supercar drivers were all using the Dunlop Super Maxx Sprint tyre. He would go on to finish in 25th placing. The team pitted for a new set of sprint tyres on lap 21.

Sunday’s race would prove to be far more exciting for the Gulf Western team. The cool conditions – barely nudging 18 degrees – belied the hot racing on track. The early running provided plenty of excitement for Gaunt, being involved in an eight car battle that resembled the Talladega Superspeedway rather than Winton Motor Raceway.

Taking advantage of bad days for some competitors, including former Championship leader, Jamie Whincup – who Dan spectacularly passed close to mid-race distance – he was able to bring the former Garth Tander piloted, Gulf Western-supported machine home in 19th position. Dan also had a good battle with Paul Dumbrell – brother of Team Principal, Lucas, in the Bottle-O Falcon.

The team pitted on lap 28 and then with a gaggle of other cars on lap 38 of the 67 lap, 200 kilometre race, taking advantage of a Safety Car triggered by Jason Bargwanna spinning at turn one.

Given the team’s base is just a couple of hours away in Melbourne, the LDM Gulf Western Team had a strong support crew of fans and sponsors turn out for the weekend.

The meeting was dominated by Jim Beam Racing’s James Courtney who took his Ford to both race victories and the Championship lead.

The next round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be conducted in three weeks time at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway over the weekend of June 4-6 – the expected 30-plus degree temperatures will be somewhat of a contrast to this weekend at Winton!

DANIEL GAUNT: “It was a pretty solid weekend for us, we are closer to the mark. Being just a second off the pace is pleasing, but it shows just how tight this entire Championship is that I can be a second off the pace, but qualify 27th.

“The issue on Friday put us behind. We thought we had the car sorted from Queensland, but this cropped up. We were behind the eight ball a little as a result and I wasn’t entirely comfortable.

“Saturday’s race was a little more pedestrian than I would have liked, but Sunday’s was a good one for us. To finish where we did and execute the passes we were able to really gave me a lot of confidence.

“Now we’re off to Darwin, another new track for me. It will certainly be different to Winton, but I hear that it’s always a great event and the fans are very passionate, so we’re really looking forward to waving the flag for Gulf Western Oils in the top end!”

LUCAS DUMBRELL (Team Principal): “I felt we made progress this weekend at Winton. It was exciting racing as a fan and I thought that Dan’s performance in being able to mix it with some Championship high flyers was particularly impressive.

“We aren’t that far off the pace – while one second isn’t much – it is light years in terms of position. From here we have to work on being even closer and the boys will work even harder to advance us up the grid. Winton was special for us, as it’s the only circuit that we go to where we have pre-existing data, so we had to try and make the most of it.

“Darwin will be another challenge as a circuit – we’ve not been there before – and it always produces some interesting racing. We’re hopeful that we can break into that top 25 region in qualifying and continue to advance during the races.”

THE GOOD OIL – Behind the scenes at LDM

GRIPPED TO THE MAXX

The last two V8 Supercar events have been significant in that they have been conducted solely on the Dunlop Super Maxx Sprint Tyre – or the soft tyre option as you may hear it referred to.

Responding from requests of drivers to have tyres with more grip, V8 Supercars Australia commissioned control tyre supplier, Dunlop, to provide such a tyre. The Dunlop Super Maxx Sprint was introduced during 2009 for selected V8 Supercar events as an ‘option’ tyre, designed to afford drivers more grip and put on a better spectacle for fans.

From its introduction last year, it has had the desired effect as the tyre has proven to need careful management throughout the race weekend. The experiment of conducting two whole race meetings this year on the Super Maxx Sprint has delivered some of the best V8 Supercar racing seen in many a year.

For the Sprint Tyre only events, teams were issued with 20 tyres per event by V8 Supercars Australia, with a further four tyres distributed at Queensland Raceway to be used for testing.

Significantly, many of the newer drivers to the Series have featured prominently in results, with those coming from the now defunct Porsche Carrera Cup Championship declaring the characteristic similar to the Michelin tyre used worldwide in that category.

LDM/Gulf Western racer, Daniel Gaunt – who is no stranger to Porsche racing in his native New Zealand – rates the Super Maxx Sprint Tyre very highly.

“It gives you so much more grip that you can go into corners deeper and if you are thinking about making a move on someone, you are able to have a go,” he said. “You have the confidence to make the move and I think you’re seeing the results of that in the racing at Queensland Raceway and here at Winton this weekend.”

Gaunt illustrated that point perfectly during today’s event.

“I love racing on this tyre and if it was to be used more frequently, I certainly wouldn’t mind and I don’t think the fans would either.”

BACK HOME

The LDM/Gulf Western Oils team returned “home” this weekend for the sixth event of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2010, races 11 and 12. Being LDM’s nominated test track, Winton Motor Raceway is the first track the team has visited in 2010 where it has a bank of data.

Is having that knowledge when arriving at a circuit a great assistance? Of course, says LDM Team Manager, Dean Orr.

“Like in any pursuit, data is knowledge and knowledge is power, so having that baseline when you arrive at the circuit is a great help,” said Orr. “We haven’t had that anywhere this year, so to come here and know roughly what to expect when the pulls onto the racetrack has been a great help.

“I think it shows in how close we are to the front of the pack this weekend, however its just so competitive at the moment that we need to be even closer to make the impact we desire.”

Team driver, Daniel Gaunt enjoyed being in familiar territory this weekend. Despite being one of five Kiwis in the 29 car field, Gaunt is vastly experienced on Australian race circuits after winning an Australian Driver’s Championship in the past and competing in various Championships over the years.

“It’s always good to come to a circuit where you have a baseline setup. Whilst some of the circuits we go to, I have knowledge of, but haven’t driven a V8 Supercar there,” he explained. “At least here I could walk in feeling comfortable and I think we made a lot of progress this weekend.”

Aiming to kick off his first full season in the National Series with a solid points haul and to keep away from the notorious Adelaide concrete walls, Carter exceeded expectations.

A torrid qualifying session saw Carter take the Plan4Growth/Vivid Computers supported machine to fifth placing. With last year’s MINI Challenge Masters Champion, Scott Bargwanna in his corner, the team worked hard to advance the Victorian youngster up the field.

Race one saw Carter come home in fourth placing, staving off a challenge from Scott McLaughlin, the two battling to the line. Pleased with his effort, Carter was in sight of a podium for the other two races of the weekend.

With the top 10 inverted for race two (a new innovation for season 2010), Carter had to graft his way from the back of the pack. Picking them off one by one, he was able to take his MINI John Cooper Works Challenge racecar across the line third. The thrilling battle for victory in front of him was decided by less than a second.

In his best showing in MINI Challenge to date, Carter was able to finish the third race in third placing, ensuring a podium finish for the weekend. He was as high as second, but was unable to hold off the charge of Dale Wood.

Results ensured he was able to finish the weekend second overall.

Meantime, Team Principal, Jason Bargwanna had a difficult weekend aboard the ROCK Racing Commodore in the Clipsal 500. A DNF on Saturday was followed by a 24th in Sunday’s final leg of the Adelaide epic.

Now, Carter’s attention turns to the support events at the Formula 1 QANTAS Australian Grand Prix on home turf in Melbourne – one that his entire family, friends and sponsor group are really looking forward to!

WHAT HE SAID:

SEAN CARTER: “We’re absolutely pumped with that result. We came here really looking just to stay off the walls and get some solid points, but that is beyond our wildest imagination.

“It has really set us up well. The racing was out of control over the weekend and to come through the field like I did in the reverse grid race was a great feeling!

“The next round will be on home soil in Melbourne at the Formula 1 QANTAS Australian Grand Prix. I’ve been to the Grand Prix several times as a spectator, now to be racing on that track this year is going to be an awesome experience.

“The whole team worked so hard this weekend and we’re ecstatic with what we could achieve. The support we receive from people like Vivid Computers and Plan4Growth is awesome, we couldn’t do it without them.”

JASON BARGWANNA: “We couldn’t be happier with what Sean achieved over the weekend, it was great to watch.

“The racing was entertaining all weekend and any time you can walk away from Clipsal with a straight racecar, let alone a top result, is a bonus.

“We didn’t set expectations too high for him and he did everything we wanted and more. It has really established a platform to go forward through the rest of the Series.

“Sean’s really fired up about racing at the Grand Prix and it will be a great experience for him. I really love racing there and the event is always awesome. Let’s hope he can take the Plan4Growth MINI to the front!”

Hertz MINI Challenge delivered by Pizza Capers points:

1. Chris Alajajian 135
2. Sean Carter 111
3. Peter McNiven
4. Scott McLaughlin 104
5. Dean Canto 103

After being thrust into the spotlight with the Bargwanna team at the end of 2009, the rookie marvel is primed for the challenge being thrown to him – whilst enjoying the support of his mentor and Team Principal, Jason Bargwanna.

Bargwanna’s hopes are that his young charge can take the next step and can be a regular podium visitor, in the process chasing a race win. Meantime, the driver’s a little more bullish – its Championship glory he’s chasing.

The level-headed Victorian shows maturity beyond his years as he explains his desire to make it as a professional race driver by taking a non-traditional route – and if you ask the man wearing the teacher’s cap, the kid’s got what it takes.

Having never competed on a street course before his baptism by fire on the Gold Coast last year, Sean is preparing for no less than five events on temporary courses in 2010 on board one of the 240kph MINI John Cooper Works Challenge missiles.

Following his impressive ‘toe in the water’ exercise, the youngster – who started his racing career in a MINI built for hillclimbing – has the MINI Challenge Series victory in his eyes. He will bring Plan4Growth back as a supporter, along with Helenic Dairy and Saleslink Australasia. He and father, Les are hopeful of announcing a major sponsor in time for the Clipsal event.

The event the team is most looking forward to, however, is the second event on the calendar – the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix around the streets of Albert Park – Sunbury-based Sean’s first home event in the Series and an event where competitors can really test the awesome acceleration and braking capabilities of the Dunlop shod machines.

On the eve of the V8 Supercar season, Bargwanna himself is preparing for a huge year with Kelly Racing. Many of the sponsors that supported Bargwanna Motorsport’s MINI Challenge effort last year – headed by ROCK Energy Drinks and Thermaline – have jumped aboard his V8 Supercar campaign this year.

The year’s started positively for the livewire 38-year-old, setting the pace in the recent Winton tests and last night, he flew out for the first event of the 2010 season at the spectacular Yas Island Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

MINI Challenge fires into life at the Clipsal 500, Adelaide (March 11-14), before heading to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (March 25-28), Queensland Raceway (April 30-May 2), the Dunlop Townsville 400 (July 9-11), the L&H 500, Phillip Island (September 10-12), the Gold Coast SuperCarnivale (TBC – October 21-24), Norton 360 Challenge, Sandown (November 19-21) and rounding out at the Sydney Telstra 500 (December 3-5).

WHAT THEY SAID:

SEAN CARTER: “I’m really excited to confirm that we’ll be back on board the MINI Challenge Series this year with Bargwanna Motorsport.

“2010 is going to be a big one for my career and we’re going to do whatever we can to take the #28 MINI to the front of the pack.

“Obviously, having the opportunity to race in front of family and friends in support of the Australian Grand Prix is huge and the second round of the Series is going to be a pretty special moment for that alone – not to mention the fact I can say I’ve raced in an event where Michael Schumacher’s raced!

“As for expectations, I’m looking for strong results and there’s no denying that I have my eyes on the Series win. Thankfully, we’re with arguably the most professional outfit in the Series and working with Jason and Scott (Bargwanna) again is going to be fantastic.

“After last year and competing on two street courses as my first taste of MINI Challenge, I know what to expect arriving at Clipsal – which is a great event and will be an awesome place to race a MINI John Cooper Works Challenge racecar!

“I’m off to Wakefield Park in the next couple of weeks to test the car. It will be great to get my eye back in – it’s been a long time since Sydney! We’re hopeful of a major sponsorship announcement before Clipsal, but in the meantime, I’m absolutely stoked to welcome back Plan4Growth, Helenic Dairy and Saleslink Australasia. March 11 in Adelaide will be like Christmas Day all over again!”

JASON BARGWANNA: “We’re really happy to have Sean back on board for this year. He impressed us with his level-headed approach and talent at the end of last year and I think you’ll see him go to another level this year.

“I would like to see Sean challenging for podiums and take at least a race win. He might expect a bit more on a personal level, but we’d be happy with that and we’re certainly not placing any undue pressure on his shoulders.

“MINI Challenge this year will really take it up a notch, with the events that the Series has partnered with. It provides a great branding platform for MINI and you can really encourage sponsors to get behind it and bring their staff and corporate partners to the events and have a great time.

“Personally, I’m on the way to Abu Dhabi and I just can’t wait. The Yas Island circuit is spectacular, Bahrain’s always a great event too and testing went really well for the ROCK Energy Drinks/Kelly Racing team, so we’re ready for an awesome season ahead.”

A low-res image of Sean Carter and the car design he will take into the Clipsal 500 MINI Challenge event are attached (note: Sean will race with #28, not #98 as per the image).

MORE INFORMATION:

Matt Payne

Acclaim Media for Bargwanna Motorsport

Ph: 0413 082 142

Em: matt

Skype: matt.payne

Bargwanna MS 2010 Carter Confirmation Feb 16, 2010.pdf

With over $100,000 (NZD) of cash and prizes being offered – including a Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup test and $10,000 (NZD) to the winner – the Toyota Racing Series is arguably the richest open-wheel racing Series in the Asia-Pacific region. There is also a $10,000 (NZD) first prize to the winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Wootton is pitting himself against GP2 Asia driver and former Formula BMW Pacific Champion, Earl Bamber in the crack Triple X Motorsport team. Triple X operates machinery in both the Toyota Racing Series and the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, with Craig Baird, David Reynolds and Daniel Gaunt finishing the Porsche Series in the top three for the team last year.

This will be the first full season Triple X will run cars in TRS, however proved they will be right on the pace by entering the New Zealand Grand Prix as a one off last year, with Gaunt walking away with the title.

Critically, Wootton takes his engineer from Formula BMW Pacific – former Williams F1 Team engineer, Greg Wheeler – to NZ with him.

Chris has secured support from SportsRewards.com.au – a Membership based system of discounts with over 12,000 participating outlets throughout Australia and New Zealand. For $40 you can purchase a SportsRewards.com.au card. The cards are available through Chris’ website – www.chriswootton.com or from Chris directly.

The open-wheel Toyota Racing Series cars produce a power-to-weight ratio similar to a Formula 3 car and utilise a 215-horsepower production-based Toyota 2ZZ-GE motor.

The five round Series begins next weekend at the southernmost race circuit in the world – Teretonga, with round two the next weekend at Timaru (January 22-24). A two week break and TRS fires back into action at the spectacular new Hampton Downs circuit (February 5-7), before continuing with the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild (February 12-14). The season will round out over March 19-21 at Taupo.

Overall, being alongside Bamber will provide Wootton with arguably the most difficult direct assignment of his racing career, however it is one that he’s very much up for.

ACROSS THE DITCH WITH CHRIS:

“Having Earl as a team-mate is a great yardstick. He’s stood on the podium in GP2 Asia races and won the Formula BMW Pacific Title, so it will be a tough test.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of racing against him and hopefully beating him!

“I go in fairly blind in terms of the circuits we’ll be racing on as obviously I haven’t raced there before and I haven’t been able to get onto a computer simulation, but learning new circuits is something I enjoy and in reality, it’s part of the thrill of racing.

“The Toyota Racing Series gives us a chance to race across the summer and prepare for the remainder of the year. The schedule’s fantastic because we’re doing five events in a very short period of time.

“Getting seat time and race miles is critical to improving and the TRS will certainly provide that. Having tough inter-team competition will also ensure I am at the top of my game.

“With the test drive in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup car as the major prize – and outstanding prizemoney being offered right throughout the Series – it’s an excellent opportunity.

“We’re really happy to welcome SportsRewards.com.au on board with us too. It’s a great program with plenty of benefits available.

“There’s absolutely no doubt it’s going to be tough. The Series from what I’ve seen is very similar to Formula BMW in that all the cars are very even, which makes for some close racing. From a sponsorship point of view, TRS is very well setup and you can take sponsors to the events and host them comfortably.”

WHO IS CHRIS WOOTTON?

Chris is a 21-year-old race driver from the Brisbane bayside suburb of Birkdale. After completing a successful stint in karting, Chris tackled the Formula BMW Scholarship Trials in 2007. He was duly awarded a Formula BMW Junior Scholarship to race in the Pan-Asia Series. Recognising his talent and commitment to fitness, BMW granted him one of only three ‘second year’ Junior Scholarships in the world in 2009. The Toyota Racing Series is the next step in his career, where he aims to race in Formula 1. Chris’ official website and Supporter’s Club can be found at www.chriswootton.com.

WHAT IS THE TOYOTA RACING SERIES?

Now in its sixth season, the Toyota Racing Series is New Zealand’s premier open-wheel Series, run during the summer when most international motorsport programs are in hiatus. It allows competitors from Australia, Asia and the Northern Hemisphere the opportunity to race in a competitive wings and slicks Series cost effectively and in a compact time space. TRS utilises a specially commissioned Italian manufactured Tatuus racecar. It has a 215 Horsepower Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine. Series cash and prizes total over $100,000 (NZD), including $10,000 (NZD) for the Series winner, the Chris Amon Trophy and a fully funded Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup test drive. The New Zealand Grand Prix also pays a $10,000 (NZD) winner’s bounty.

2010 Toyota Racing Series Calendar:

Round 1: January 15-17, 2010, Teretonga

Round 2: January 22-24, 2010, Timaru

Round 3: February 5-7, 2010, Hampton Downs

Round 4: February 12-14, 2010, Manfeild (NZGP)

Round 5: March 19-21, 2010, Taupo (Final)

The Toyota Racing Series website is www.toyotaracing.co.nz

Stokell’s Championship charge was threatened with derailment – quite literally – when the front right wheel studs inexplicably sheared off his DecoRug MINI John Cooper Works Challenge machine midway through Saturday’s race one. Ironically, the team had changed all four corners on both cars before Sydney after a similar problem for Grant Denyer in Surfers Paradise.

Being the cool, calm experienced customer he is, Stokell took it in his stride and concentrated on doing enough in race two on the demanding Homebush street circuit to come back on Sunday morning with the Championship in the bag.

Laden with 50kg of success ballast following his performances throughout the year, the team erupted on Saturday afternoon when Stokell crossed the line, fresh in the knowledge his eighth place finish was enough to give him an unassailable Championship lead.

Stokell’s team-mate, Seven Network personality, Grant Denyer had arguably his toughest weekend in the Series, unable to make an impression on the huge MINI Challenge field, finishing 11th overall. The stacked field included current Le Mans 24 Hour Champion, David Brabham and multiple Australian Touring Car Champion, Glenn Seton. The DecoRug team were scratching their heads to get a handle on what the issue may have been with Denyer’s machine, but were unable to pinpoint anything specific.

In a gratifying day, Managing Director of DecoRug, Bill Gremos and Team Manager, Troy Russell of Melbourne Performance Centre were presented the MINI Challenge Team’s Champions trophy from former F1 team owner and MINI Challenge Category Manager, Ted Toleman and Marketing Manager, MINI, Chris Brown.

Stokell was also presented the Confederation of Australian Motorsport’s MINI Challenge Australian Series Champion trophy by CAMS CEO, Graham Fountain who was on hand for the prize giving.

DecoRug Racing were the dominant force in MINI Challenge during 2009, securing round wins in six of the eight rounds, both drivers taking three round victories apiece. DecoRug Racing is the only team to have won the MINI Challenge Team’s Championship since the category was inaugurated in Australia and narrowly missed out on the Driver’s Championship last year.

WHAT THE CHAMPIONS SAID:

PAUL STOKELL: “It’s an incredible relief to have won this Championship. For a second on Saturday I was concerned we were in danger of losing it after the wheel came off, but once I calmed down and looked at the situation, I knew exactly what I had to do in race two.

“This weekend all round was hard with so much success ballast on board, which I think has been indicated by our results at the last two events. When I crossed the line on Saturday afternoon, I was pretty sure I had it in the bag and when the team informed me that indeed I did, it was a fantastic moment.

“To be presented with the trip to Spain by MINI, which was completely unexpected, really topped it off. It will be an amazing experience racing in Europe again, particularly under the Team Australia banner. I hope that Chris (Alajajian) and I can go over there and show where the Australian MINI Challenge Series is against those in Europe. I have to thank MINI and all the guys that work on the Championship for making this happen. It’s mind-blowing.

“Bill Gremos set out to establish a team that would reflect his business philosophy. I think its testament to Bill and the guys at Melbourne Performance Centre that we’ve been so dominant this year and managed to back up our Team’s Championship from last year. I’m very thankful to Bill for the opportunity to represent his company and all his sponsors in this Series.”

GRANT DENYER: “It was a tough weekend at the office. The circuit here in Sydney is incredibly tight and tough, it requires maximum concentration.

“We couldn’t quite work out what was going wrong with our car. It wasn’t pulling out of the corners well but there was nothing specific we could pinpoint. We just have to put it down to a tough day at the office.

“Regardless of this weekend, this year has been phenomenal for me. To strike back from where I was this time 12 months ago is fantastic. Winning three of the eight rounds, I’m happy to see that I can still drive a racecar well. I really have to thank Bill for continuing to show faith in me and providing me with an awesome racecar.

“It’s brilliant that Paul has won the Championship. We were in line for it last year before my accident so it is great that Paul could finish something that I started. The fact DecoRug is the only team to have won the Team’s Championship pays tribute to Bill and his dedication to this category.”

BILL GREMOS: “I was relieved more than anything when I realised Paul had won the Title. After Saturday morning, the blood pressure was pretty high, but I had faith in Paul to get out there and do what he had to do.

“We’re over the moon that we could successfully defend the Team’s Championship and I have to pay tribute not just to Grant and Paul, but to Troy Russell and the team at Melbourne Performance Centre, along with race engineer Ric Kemp.

“They have done a superb job in preparing the cars the last two years and our dominance can be put down to their effort and two solid, professional drivers. We have to thank MINI too for their continued support and the fact they have provided Paul with an opportunity to compete overseas shows just where this Series is going. I’m confident it’s going to continue to grow.

“We’ve had a huge contingent in Sydney over the weekend cheering the boys on and we’ve appreciated some great support from some fabulous companies again this year. DecoRug sets out to be the leader in floor coverings retailing and in everything we do, we strive to be at the top of our game.”

More Information:

Matt Payne

Acclaim Media for DecoRug Racing

Ph: 0413 082 142

Em: matt@acclaimmedia.com.au