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[MINI] McFadyen inaugural MINI champion
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pic: FORCE Photography
McFADYEN CROWNED INAUGURAL MINI CHALLENGE CHAMPION
Neil McFadyen has been crowned the inaugural MINI Challenge Champion after today’s third and final race at Oran Park Raceway, whilst Jason Bargwanna wrapped up his third round win in four events.
McFadyen ended up winning the Series over Paul Stokell (DecoRug Racing) by just 24 points after a tense final race. Although the Sydney-sider in the Industrie Clothing MINI was playing the conservation game, he survived a scare on the final lap when the close following Gary Young received contact from Barry Sternbeck – almost collecting the youngster in the process.
Young was pushed through on McFadyen in the incident, however all three continued on and greeted the chequers.
Stokell wrapped up second in the Series for DecoRug Racing. He tried valiantly in today’s race, however his third place in the race would have seen him fall short of the Series win, even if McFadyen didn’t finish.
Jason Bargwanna in the Trivett Classic MINI Garage machine was supreme – winning the race by an astonishing 11 seconds! Bargwanna charged away from the pole and set about adding to his win tally in MINI Challenge – his 10 wins the Series high.
Completing a Trivett Classic quinella was Scott Bargwanna in second. A superior tyre strategy by the team – who are also supported by Matchmaster TV Reception Systems – ensured they could dominate proceedings this morning.
Third in the race was Stokell. He tried valiantly to stay with the Bargwannas, wringing the neck of his DecoRug machine, but had to be content with the Series runner-up trophy.
Todd Wanless continued his sensational form of the weekend in the Motorline MINI Garage machine coming home fourth. Wanless competed last night at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway in his Sprintcar and was back on track today.
The ‘fabulous Fiore brothers’ Paul and Todd occupied the fifth and sixth positions respectively. The former – the eldest of the three racing Fiores – collected third overall in the Series. The Perth brothers had a strong tussle with each other, but towards the end of the 11 lap distance, the two Shell Helix cars were caught by the five car freight train behind that included McFadyen.
Seventh after the final lap kerfuffle was Sternbeck followed by Young in the SALTA Constructions car, who had the new Champion behind him.
David Stillwell finished tenth, recovering from yesterday’s exclusion and collision with his father, Michael.
Robert Graham (Kings Way MINI Garage) and Nathan Geier were 11th and 12th, whilst an emotional Michael Stillwell completed his final lap of an illustrious national motor racing career.
Stillwell admitted a tear or two was shed as he crossed the line and later he was acknowledged by the MINI Challenge teams for his contribution to the sport over many long years.
14th in the final race of the season was Ed Singleton (MPA Project Builders) who recovered from his rollover yesterday, whilst David Turner (Glory Team Racing) and Brendan Cook (Terex Cranes) rounded out the field. The latter two collided on the opening lap, Turner spinning.
After an all night effort to repair it, the UBER-STAR CAR being driven by Justin Hemmes was unable to make the start. Hemmes brought an interesting dynamic to MINI Challenge and his characteristic flair was a welcome addition to the field.
Post race, a presentation was made to the top three in the Series and also the highest placed non-professional driver in the field over the age of 35. This went to Gary Young, whose season has been one of ups and downs and included a race win in race two at Barbagallo.
The team’s trophy went to the DecoRug Racing team. Team driver, Paul Stokell paid homage to former driver, Grant Denyer, who led the Series for the Bill Gremos-owned team until his untimely Monster Truck accident. Stokell, coupled with Nathan Geier certainly picked up where Denyer had left off.
Next year, MINI Challenge will be back bigger and even better with a sensational calendar that is about to be released by Series organisers, Toleman Motorsport and SPHERIX.
WHAT THEY SAID:
JASON BARGWANNA – ROUND WINNER: “The team did a sensational job as they have done all year long. The Series has been fantastic for us. I wasn’t sure what we were doing at the start of the year, my thoughts were turned more to eight cylinders rather than four – so it’s been an interesting but enjoyable diversion! It’s phenomenal to have won 10 races in the Series and be winning again…it’s a great feeling!”
NEIL McFADYEN – SERIES CHAMPION: “I really have to give this up to the M3 Motorsport team. They have lived and breathed MINI Challenge since the Series was first announced and for some of them even to the detriment of their own businesses. It’s been a tough year for us and I’m really happy to be crowned a national champion once again. MINI Challenge has been a fantastic Series to be a part of and I’m sure it will only grow from here.”
PAUL STOKELL – SERIES RUNNER-UP: “It’s been a challenging season to say the least. I just cannot believe that we’ve ended up second after everything that we’ve been through. I want to thank Bill Gremos from DecoRug, he has put his heart and soul into this project from the beginning and we tried our best to get Neil this weekend, but just couldn’t get it across the line in the end. Hopefully we might be able to go one better next time!”
PAUL FIORE – SERIES THIRD PLACING: “I’m stoked to have come home third. The Shell Helix Ultra, Brisbane MINI Garage team have done an awesome job. The guys from Greg Murphy Racing who picked us up mid-way through the year prepare these cars fantastically. It’s been some great racing this year and I want to thank Nathan Geier in particular for the battles that we’ve had. Nathan had some bad luck through the back end of the season and I would have loved to battle with him for this third place trophy right down to today’s race, but it wasn’t to be.”
COMPLETE SERIES POINTS:
1. Neil McFadyen (930)
2. Paul Stokell (906)
3. Paul Fiore (834)
4. Jason Bargwanna (798)
5. Nathan Geier (717)
6. Grant Denyer (648)
7. Gary Young (585)
8. Todd Fiore (558)
9. Scott Bargwanna (432)
10. David Turner (357)
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