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Rock Mini Team Heads To Perth For Bargwanna's Series Shot
Barbagallo Raceway is the next stop for the Bargwanna Motorsport, ROCK Energy Drinks team – as Scott Bargwanna is hoping to maintain pressure on current MINI Challenge Series leader, Paul Stokell with two events to go – and the team welcomes a new major supporter in Red Angus Pilsener.
Red Angus Pilsener – brewed in Griffith, NSW – will be the primary sponsor aboard the BJ Cook machine for the final two events of the 2009 season and the team is ecstatic to be welcoming another new sponsor to motorsport.
On the track, Scott is hoping to continue nipping the heels of the DecoRug team, whilst also attempting to keep firebrand, Chris Alajajian at bay - the Series pointscore is set to go right to the wire at the Telstra Sydney 500 at Homebush.
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Carter comes into Barbagallo aiming to come to grips with the car on a ‘real’ race circuit. Being just his second MINI Challenge event, the 18-year-old wants to build from the experience gained on the streets of Surfers Paradise and – being on a regular circuit – will aid his ability to become more comfortable behind the wheel immeasurably.
BJ has been busy settling into a new role as Wine Marketing Manager for Chambers Cellars, however is excited by welcoming Red Angus on board his car. The brand is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s leading premium, boutique beer brands and there’s a strong fit with MINI Challenge.
The Series will revert to the two driver/pitstop feature race format first used in Townsville earlier this year. The biggest concern for the team is minimising the points being scored by some of the ‘wild cards’ that are coming forward for the event.
With many Barbagallo specialists mixing it with Series regulars, it’s going to prove an interesting weekend. Last season, this event provided arguably the best racing of MINI Challenge and with the biggest field of the year to line up, there’s no reason why it would be any different this time around.
Team Principal, Jason Bargwanna will also be racing his Sprint Gas Racing machine in the V8 Supercar Championship Series events. After a difficult Phillip Island – where for the third race in succession his car proved to be a magnet for a Triple 8 Racing machine – getting the elbows up and being in the thick of the action is the aim in Perth.
WHAT THE BOYS HAVE BEEN UP TO?
SCOTT BARGWANNA: "Barbagallo really suits these MINI Challenge cars. Sure it’s a trek to get across to Perth, but if last year’s MINI Challenge racing was any indication, it will be out of control.
"Of course we’re thinking Championship at the moment. I will be keeping an eye on the guys I’m racing directly against, but also the wild cards in for the event. You have to temper that and not get involved in anything that might result in a DNF.
"Mathematically, we’re still in touch, so if I can walk away from Perth with the ROCK Energy Drinks MINI still in with a decent shot in Sydney, we’ll be very happy.
"It’s great that Sean and BJ will be with us in Perth. Sean was very mature in his drive at Surfers and his instruction this weekend is pretty much the same, just take it easy and get to learn the car. BJ has been solid all year and keeping his finishing record in tact will be the primary goal for him – especially with a great new supporter in Red Angus on board."
SEAN CARTER: "Surfers was a great experience for me, but here is where the real education starts. I hope being on an old school, traditional circuit I can really showcase my talent much better.
"There are plenty of guys coming into the Series this weekend who have got a lot of experience around Barbagallo and are probably doing it for a bit of fun or to put on a show for their mates. So learning the circuit and advancing the progression with the car is the aim for the weekend.
"We’re really happy to be bringing some new support to Barbagallo in the form of Link Brokerage, DGM Collective and HDT. We’re really hoping to put on a good performance for them and be mixing it up the front."
BJ COOK: "We’re really pleased to be welcoming Red Angus Pilsener on board this weekend. They are a great company and I think they’ll gain a great deal out of this relationship. We’ll be certainly doing everything we can to ensure that’s the case.
"Barbagallo’s another one of those circuits I’ve watched since I was a kid and it has always thrown up something interesting.
"I looked back on the MINI Challenge race there last year and it looked dead set wild! I can’t wait to mix it up in the field, having some new drivers come in for the two driver format is exciting as it was in Townsville.
JASON BARGWANNA: "Securing a new sponsor has given everyone a lift and it’s just fantastic to bring another company in Red Angus Pilsener on board to dip its toe into motorsport.
"The boys are all fired up after Surfers – we’ve got a good chance to chase down the Championship and Scotty’s really nipping at their heels.
"If there is a problem, we’ve proven reliable throughout the year so Scott will try and capitalise wherever he can. The wild cards are going to add a different element, as many of them have basically grown up driving around Wanneroo.
"We’re impressed with what Sean did for us in Surfers and this is his next step – taking to a traditional race circuit before back to a street circuit in Sydney. He’ll acquit himself well at Barbagallo I’m sure, as will BJ.
"This is another one that should suit BJ’s style. He’s performed well everywhere we’ve been this year. Surfers was a big turning point for him, being right on Scotty’s pace was a huge confidence boost, which I hope we’ll see carried through here.
"As for me, if I can keep those Triple 8 cars off my bumper I’ll be OK! I am really hoping for a big result this weekend for Sprint Gas Racing. I’m keen to turn around the disappointment of the last few events and finish the year off on a high."
PaddockTalk Perspective
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