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Bell Blitzes MINI Challenge in Christchurch - 27 Nov 06 Despite being 3.33 kilometres of technically demanding circuit the PowerBuilt Raceway at Ruapuna near Christchurch proved no problem for the entrants in race one of round two of the MINI Challenge. North Cantabrian Eddie Bell who holds second place overall in the MINI Challenge didn't let his 30kg weight disadvantage slow him down, qualifying in second place in the ESWA MINI #69 and winning the first race this afternoon. Bell was one of the top five competitors in the MINI Challenge who had to qualify earlier in the day while carrying various levels of ballast weight which they had accumulated from their success at the last round in Pukekohe. An elated Bell commented that driving at Ruapuna was a delicate balance of pushing the car hard but maintaining a smooth line through the many slow, medium and fast corners. "I got a great start on Will Selles getting in front of him at the first corner and it was a case of letting him battle it out with Peter Sharmach while I kept in front," says Bell "From there on in I just concentrated on keeping the car tidy and bringing it home first in front of my friends, family and supporters." "My first win in the MINI Challenge on home soil, I couldn't be happier!"
"Unfortunately Eddie had the better jump off the line and had half a car length on me going into the first corner," says Selles. "I tried to stay with him but he was too quick, I decided to defend my position from a hard charging Peter Sharmach." Prior to his debut at Ruapuna this weekend Selles had spent some time with Andy Neal at the Canterbury Racing School learning how to get the best from his MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works performance kit. "Andy taught me how to handle a front wheel drive racing car and it's paid off," said a delighted Selles. "Its quite different from the Porsches I have driven in the past." "Ruapuna is one of the most technical tracks in New Zealand but once you get a rhythm going it flows nicely. However, it's very easy to overheat your tyres here. In qualifying you need to make your first lap your fastest lap because the tyres heat up quickly and begin to lose their best grip." Reflecting the power to weight disadvantage of having 50kg ballast placed onboard after successfully winning round one at Pukekohe, MINI Challenge points leader Peter Sharmach finished third in race one after starting from fourth place on the grid. The German entrant was philosophical about his performance but said that he clearly didn't want to place 11th or worse in the first race to be eligible to loose some of the ballast. Auckland driver Gavin Dawson in the Scalextric MINI #50 started in third place on the grid despite his weight handicap and held onto fourth position for most of the race before the PDL MINI #44 driven by Brent Collins from Timaru overtook him just before the finish. As predicted by MINI New Zealand Manager Peter Jarratt, the MINI lap times around Ruapuna are only seconds behind other classes. Selles 1.39.921 was remarkable given that the fastest NZ V8, a Holden Commodore driven by Kayne Scott in 1.31.941. "As the tracks get tighter the MINI Cooper S starts to show it's true racing pedigree," says Mr Jarratt. "The ballast ensures an even opportunity for other drivers to do well as we have seen today with the excellent qualifying and race results from Will Selles." The NZ MINI Challenge acknowledges major sponsors Castrol, Dunlop Tyres and their international partner Valeo. They also enjoy support and sponsorship from John Cooper Works, KW Suspension, BBS Wheels, Coke Zero, and Cannon Signage Concepts.
MINI Challenge race one results 25th November 2006 Position Driver Hometown Time 1) Eddie Bell Woodend 1:40.005 2) Will Selles Auckland +2.649 3) Peter Sharmach Australia +3.498 4) Brent Collins Timaru +5.499 5) Gavin Dawson Auckland +5.798 6) Anthony Pedersen Rotorua +9.616 7) Gary Johnstone Christchurch +10.497 8) Anthony Houston Auckland +12.273 9) Richard Moore Auckland +12.590 10) David Grigor Auckland +15.367 11) Kevin Cantwell Auckland +16.427 12) Neil Foster Rotorua +17.572 13) Grant Milligan Christchurch +17.701 14) Jeff Hogg Auckland +18.256 15) Shaun Turton Pukekohe +21.495 16) Gavin Yortt Hawkes Bay +22.039 17) Ross Hill Auckland +26.272
MINI Challenge 2006/2007 Round One: 3-5 Nov 2006 Pukekohe
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Second place went to Auckland Motorsport Services team member former Porsche pilot Will Selles who flew around the circuit in 1:39.921 to claim pole position for the start in his MINI #2 which had no weight disadvantage.