MINI Challenge Kicks-off With New Sponsor Hertz Car Rental

Australian circuit racing is ramping up for its third exciting year of Mini racing in its MINI Challenge. Adding to the sponsorship this year, the series will now partner with car rental firm Hertz and authentic pizza joint Pizza Capers. The two corporations will function as the new Naming Rights and Presenting Rights partners for this year’s festivities.

Re-dubbed, the Hertz MINI Challenge and delivered by Pizza Capers, the series will feature seven separate motor races involving the popular Minis. Towns hosting the event in Australia include Ipswich, Sydney, Adelaide, and Phillip Island. The Clipsal 500 will kick-off the event in Adelaide this weekend.

All seven races will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, TV3, and 7 Network. MINI National Manager, Justin Hocevar has said that the new addition to the fledgling series makes for an exciting add-on.

Paul Stokell, the champion from last year’s series, will again take on Chris Alajajian, his longtime rival. Dean Canto, a former V8 Supercar racer will join the MINI series as well. Stunt Rider Robbie Maddison has been secured to take on the celebrity role at the Clipsal 500. Maddison will drive the John Cooper Works MINI as part of the UBER Star driver program, which has been a part of the series since its inception three years ago.

Dunlop and Castrol will support the series for 2010, along with new additions Pizza Capers and Hertz. Super Charge Batteries will also be helping to sponsor the event along with Florida Constructions. The series kicks-off in Adelaide this weekend with the Clipsal 500.