Doulman To Make Tracks For First Mini Challenge Title

After winning the Australian 2L Touring Car Championship in 1993 driving a BMW M3, Peter Doulman knows precisely what a BMW backed car – and series – is capable of.

And that’s why he jumped at the chance to sign up for MINI Challenge Australia in the series’ inaugural 2008 season.

“It’s probably one of the best racing categories, in terms of the way it’s set up, that I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“With aspects like the weighted system, reverse grids and controlled changes the series is one of the best factory-backed categories out there and I’m amazed more people haven’t jumped at the chance to sign up.”

But that wasn’t all which attracted Doulman to the category and the fact BMW Australia (MINI) has committed to backing the series for at least five years was a major plus.

“I’ve had experience working with BMW in the past so I know the quality of their product and the MINI Challenge so far seems to be an extension of that,” he said.

“They not only know how to build race cars, but with the success of MINI Challenge overseas they know how to run a professional and thriving category and we wanted to be a part of that.”

After enormous success in Germany, Great Britain and New Zealand, MINI Challenge Australia will hit Australian tracks at Eastern Creek in March.

As a support category to the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the MINI Challenge will feature at some of the biggest motor racing events in Australia in 2008, including the Phillip Island 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Even though the category is yet to turn a wheel, huge excitement already surrounds the series, which will feature as part of Channel 7’s motorsport coverage throughout the year.

Doulman – under the guise of M3 Motorsport – will run at least one car in the series, with the possibility of adding a second to the squad.

“At this stage we are confirmed for one car but we are in discussions for a second, and we would love to run more than one car,” he said.

And while a driver has signed to pilot Doulman’s MINI Cooper Works R56, his lips are sealed as to who it is - for the moment.

“We’ve contracted a driver to drive for us but as part of the deal it has to remain a secret for now – although it will be a little special I think,” he said.

“We’re hell bent on winning the series and we believe we have a driver who is capable of delivering that for us.”

While that remains to be seen, what’s not in question is the action the MINI Challenge will provide all around the country in the coming months.

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