Bargwanna backs teen sensation, Carter in Mini Challenge 2010 16.02.2010: Bargwanna Motorsport is in final preparations for the new season of MINI Challenge, confirming 19-year-old Victorian sensation, Sean Carter will return as a single car operation for the spectacular 2010 season, kicking off

Bargwanna Motorsport is in final preparations for the new season of MINI Challenge, confirming 19-year-old Victorian sensation, Sean Carter will return as a single car operation for the spectacular 2010 season, kicking off at the Clipsal 500, March 11-14.

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.”



- Matt Payne-  also photos