2008 Mini Challenge Series

Filling the void vacated by the Lotus Challenge, this brand new one make series will support Australia's premier motor racing category, V8 Supercars, at eight rounds through 2008, at the very cream of Australia's purpose-built motor racing circuits. The calendar includes an historic return to the Bathurst 1000 in October, as well as the new endurance event, the Phillip Island 500 km race. To round off its first year, the Mini Challenge will conclude at Oran Park. Mini Challenge will be thrilling crowds all across Australia with dates booked as far apart as Barbagallo outside Perth and Symmons Plains in Tasmania. Mini Challenge will also travel to Wakefield Park near Goulburn to bring its high octane magic to the people of rural New South Wales.

The return of a full field of MinIs to Bathurst is more than a nod to nostalgia, as it will give the huge crowd at the event and those watching on TV an excellent opportunity to gauge the race speed of these amazing turbo-charged race machines. Equipped with the highest output new generation all alloy 1.6-litre Mini engine, yet the 154kW motor is expected to fling the lightweight flying bricks down Conrod Straight at a very high speed. It's sure to be the first time since 1966 that Minis will fill the first nine places at Bathurst! With a full field finishing, there will be more than 20 Mini Challenge cars tearing across the start/finish line. Sherrin Motorsport are running most of the cars in the Mini Challenge and, at time of press, still had a couple of 'arrive & drive' vacancies available.

www.minichallenge.com.au has full details on the series calendar, car specs and more.