Australian Mini Challenge
| Category | Touring car racing One make racing |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Inaugural season | 2008 |
| Folded | 2010 |
| Tyre suppliers | Dunlop |
| Last Drivers' champion | Chris Alajajian |
| Official website | MINI Challenge - Planet MINI - www.mini.com.au |
The Australian Mini Challenge was a touring car racing category in Australia. First held in 2008, the Mini Challenge supported both the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the V8 Supercar Development Series.[1] The category is managed by Toleman Motorsport, who took over management rights following the demise of previous rights holder, Sherrin Motorsport.[2] Late in 2010, BMW announced the withdrawal of its support of the series.[3]
In 2011 the series competitors were thrown a lifeline and invited to compete in the Australian Manufacturers' Championship, in a series called the AMC Mini Cup. The only changes to the rules were the requirement to run on radial tyres and the addition of a dry break fuel system to the cars for long distance events. The 2011 class pointscore was won by the only series regular Beric Lynton. Only three teams competed all season, the other two being the Sherrins Rentals team and Brendan Cook's team. All three cars never attended the same round however, with only one attending some rounds.
The car
The R56 Mini hardtops were built by BMW Motorsport in Germany and flown to Australia. The Mini Challenge cars were based on the road going John Cooper works models, with a 1.6 litre, four cylinder, turbocharged engine producing 155kW (208hp). Weighing 1150kg (2535lb), the cars could accelerate to 100km/h (62mph) in just over six seconds and reach a top speed of 240km/h (149mph).[1]
Series Champions
| Year | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Neil McFadyen | Doulman Automotive |
| 2009 | Paul Stokell | DecoRug Racing |
| 2010 | Chris Alajajian | Jack Hillerman Racing |
Mini Cup
| Year | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Beric Lynton | Bruce Lynton Mini Garage |
