It may seem  like a huge step down from a 750 BHP V8 powered NASCAR to a four cylinder 200 BHP Mini but when you’re taking on one of the World’s most challenging circuits it’ll will be no walk in the park for American NASCAR star Boris Said.

Said will join double British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal and New Zealand Mini challenge Champion Brent Collins, to spearhead an international all star cast for the Mini challenge at Bathurst next on October 10 -12.

Said, the winner of the Nurburgring 24 hours and a semi regular on the NASCAR scene has never raced at  Bathurst but  he is renowned as a road course specialist in the United States where he won the 1997 & ‘98 Daytona 24 hour race as well as the 12 hour race at Sebring. 

Neal is no stranger to Mount Panorama, having competed there on a number of occasions in the past, but attacking the Mountain in a Mini will be a different prospect altogether. The Englishman has taken out two British Touring Car Championships and unlike Said has plenty of front wheel drive four cylinder experience.

Adding a third international angle to the Mini challenge Mountain assault is the addition of Brent Collins to the field. Collins is a multiple New Zealand Champion and is the reigning New Zealand Mini challenge Champion. He will have his first taste of Mini challenge in Australia on the daunting 6.213km course.

Quite apart from the International flavour that Said, Neal and Collins will bring to MINI CHALLENGE, the battle for Series honours has been blown wide apart following the unfortunate incident that befell current Series leader, Grant Denyer.

Denyer suffered a serious back injury after landing hard while driving a Monster Truck for a TV show stunt. The injury will put the popular TV host and talented driver out of action for at least the rest of the year.

Heading into Bathurst, Denyer held a six point lead over Neil McFadyen, who is now poised to take the Series lead, however he will be chased down by a hungry pack - now given further incentive to chase the inaugural series win. Taking up the fight  will be Nathan Geier, who slots into Denyer’s #95 seat and is aiming to advance himself further than his current third placing on Series standings - 63 points from the pinnacle. 

The man they will all be chasing, however is Jason Bargwanna, who will also compete in the Supercheap Auto 1000 with Tony d’Alberto in the Bottle-O Commodore.

Bargwanna’s winning streak has hit six on the trot, but a 50kg success ballast is a lot to carry on the long straights of Mount Panorama. By virtue of his winning streak, Bargwanna has brought himself into Series contention. He sits eighth overall 288 points from the Series lead and another clean sweep of the weekend’s action will bring him right up in the standings.

With 20 cars confirmed for the fifth round of the Mini challenge, the historic return of Mini to Mount Panorama will be a special occasion for all concerned. Mini dominated the 1966 event, with the first nine places being filled by the iconic machines. Bob Holden and Rauno Aaltonen were the victors that particular day, taking victory by over a lap.

With Mini Challenge Media