Jason Bargwanna picked up where he left off at the last round today in MINI CHALLENGE, taking the Matchmaster/Trivett Classic MINI Garage car to a dominant victory, recording his fourth consecutive win in the Series.
Earlier in the day, he set quickest time in both practice and qualifying – continuing on from Sandown where he topped every session also.
An impressive second in today’s MINI CHALLENGE round five, race one was Nathan Geier (Split Image Project Management/BMW Apprentice Program). Nathan put his team together on Wednesday, following his regular car owner pulling out at the last moment.
After almost being collected when he stalled on the grid, Geier worked through the field to record second. The young Melbournite had to fight hard to get past Todd Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra/Brisbane MINI Garage) who set the early running chasing Bargwanna.
Rounding out the top five were Paul Fiore (Shell Helix Ultra/Brisbane MINI Garage) and Scott Bargwanna (Trivett Classic MINI Garage/Matchmaster TV Reception Systems).
Current Series leader, Grant Denyer, had an unhappy birthday today – when both he and DecoRug Motorsport team-mate, Paul Stokell, were blackflagged mid-race for having a malfunctioning timing system.
Denyer begrudgingly served his penalty from sixth placing, whilst Stokell was holding out the Todd Fiore/Geier battle in second when he served his drive through. They finished 16th and 14th respectively at the fall of the chequer.
Finishing in sixth placing was newly sponsored MPA Projects driver, Neil McFadyen, who could not get any purchase on the battles in front of him, but has jagged the pole for tomorrow’s reverse grid race two.
Todd Wanless (Motorline MINI Garage) had his best finish of the Series in seventh after a spirited fight with both David Turner (Glory Team Racing) and Nick Stillwell (Bib Stillwell MINI Garage).
After Wanless made an awesome move on Turner heading down Lukey Heights mid-race, Turner pulled off the move of the century heading into turn one in the dying laps. He used every inch of Phillip Island bitumen to get past Stillwell and almost had Wanless, but couldn’t quite secure the seventh placing.
Rounding out the top 10 was Gary Young (SALTA Constructions), who was followed by Beric Lynton (Crimsafe/Bruce Lynton MINI Garage), Darren Berry (Clipper Motor Yachts) – having a strong run. 13th was occupied by Ed Singleton (MPA Projects) in his first MINI CHALLENGE run, then Stokell, Rob Graham (Kings Way MINI Garage) – who recovered from a huge spin, Denyer, UBER-STAR CAR driver, Bob Holden rounded out the field.
Brendan Cook was excluded from the results after failing to acknowledge a black flag.
Signalling the new era of MINI CHALLENGE, new Category Manager – Ted Toleman – led the field around with National Manager, MINI – Justin Hocevar in the brand new MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio – the road-going version of the MINI CHALLENGE racecar.
JASON BARGWANNA – 1ST: "I got a good start and was able to move away. It shows the guys here at Bargwanna Motorsport can prepare a good car. Unfortunately, there were a couple of guys blackflagged for a few issues which I don’t necessarily agree with. The 25kg success ballast has changed the handling of the car a little, we’ve had to make a couple of setup changes to compensate. It’s a great way to welcome some new sponsors in the form of JTB and Bottle-O and of course Matchmaster and Trivett Classic MINI Garage. Bring on tomorrow, this MINI racing is just so cool!"
NATHAN GEIER – 2ND: "I really got caught out at the start, the sun was shining on the lights and I was looking for the 5 second signal, but missed it completely. Thankfully I didn’t get taken out, I was looking in the mirror and thought ‘oh no’, but we got away with it. I had to drive my butt off to work back to second, I’m so happy to get that second placing and the points. It’s been a real tough week and has been a fantastic effort just to be here. I’m rapt with that and looking forward to tomorrow. I’m desperate to race with Bargs, hopefully we’ll get that chance on Sunday!"
TODD FIORE – 3RD: "I’m extremely happy with the car, I felt quicker through turn one than anyone to be honest and thought I might have had something for Bargwanna if I could clear Stokell. The car was just fantastic, but it went off towards the end. It sets us up well for the rest of the weekend, I’m stoked!"
- Matt Payne-
