MINI Challenge News - 27 October, 2006.

I have supplied all of the NZ log books this week and many where hand delivered where possible or mailed or couriered, could everyone please let me know that you have received them by return email please.

Decals. I have supplied you all with white front and rear windscreen banners and I will have the logo to go on them at Pukekohe. We will also have a logo to go on the number plates at Pukekohe. You will have also received the Coke Zero banner for the roof, driver side.

Position at Pukekohe for Round One. We will be in a position along the horse rail/fence to the right of the track crossing and behind the first of the pit lane garages. The car marquees will back onto the fence and will be in one long line each 4m wide and 6m deep. The hospitality will be on the grass area to the right of the track crossing also along the horse fence. Support vehicles will be on the grass area in and around our area. Space will be a problem for support vehicles so no private cars will be able to cross the track to stay parked they will only be able to drop off and leave. Please be understanding and supportive of this.

Each car marquee will be marked for your car with a sign board on the back wall that will have  your name, your car number and a small MINI logo on it.

I hope you have been over your check lists and have everything ready to go, entries placed, tyre ordering done(or contact established), parts ordering credit card number placed etc etc

We will have a 20 ft container at the track filled with all the parts we can to support the series but it is obviously very "crystal ball" without having the benefit of a season here to work from. Please ensure you prepare well and don't leave it to us if you can carry it yourself, obviously any panel part we supply will be unpainted.

Please start thinking of driving behaviour and standards for the series and while we want a very competitive series we want you to put on great entertainment for the public, sponsors and all supporters. With this in mind I would like everyone involved to buy into the MINI way with being open and friendly with the public and in particular the kids, lets show the people that motorsport can be fun and competitive and make everything accessible with safety in mind at all times.

Press releases have been sent out over the last few weeks and this will continue from now all through the series. The releases will focus on the cars, drivers, team members and in particular sponsors. We know sponsorship is important to you all and we will ensure we focus on this at every opportunity. We want to be a little different in our approach to marketing the series and as I say we will focus on the people who make it happen and the personalities involved. Please take every opportunity to present us with ideas for stories, you can email robertbarry@xtra.co.nz who is looking after our media for the series with ideas or requests. http://www.car.co.nz/race.asp?articleid=12693

Just a note on the position of the control beacon at the race meetings, we will place the control beacon at a measured distance from the start finish line at each meeting as we are not allowed to have them on the start/finish line this year. We will advise you all of its position by Friday morning.

We will have the support of Udo Mark from MINI Challenge Germany and Patrick Ell for the 2D data systems for the first round so this should be of enormous benefit. Please feel free to make the most of having these guys with us and ask all the question you want.

There has been a delay in getting the franchise fee invoices out but accounts tell me you should get them Monday or Tuesday.