Media release: 16th April 2008
NZ Mini Challenge
Hamilton 400 (non-championship round)
18-20th April
Wellington Driver Says Minis Are The Way To Go
Amidst strong media attention over the Australian V8 Supercars coming
to New Zealand this weekend, one driver has stood up to be counted with
praises of the NZ Mini Challenge.
Wellington's Marty Hunt has been so taken by his first season in the
Mini Challenge this year that he believes the class, although very
competitive, is the ideal place for anybody to achieve the full racing
experience even when they are just starting out.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, even when I haven't been
racing and have been there in support of the other drivers. It really
is a class that anybody can step into the car and actually do it." he
says.
Martin Hunt and Brent Melhop
purchased the 2007 championship winning Mini to contest the six round
series this year and offered a couple of extra Wellington drivers, Karl
Wilson and Grant Ryan the opportunity to race.
Marty Hunt previously raced the Moneyworks Typeface Mini Cooper S at
Manfeild Autocourse last February at his rookie outing where he "threw
himself in the deep end" after only previously having a go at a track
day hosted by NZ Mini Challenge founder Martin Collins.
But with that first round under his belt and the nerves a little more
settled, he heads for this weekend's Hamilton 400 with more confidence
and feels much more relaxed about the ensuing on-track battles than he
did back in February.
"I know just what to expect this
time around and feel as though I will
be able to just soak up the moment rather than just jumping into the
great unknown like at my first drive at Manfeild earlier this year. I'm
looking forward to a more relaxed time where I can just experience all
the sights and sounds." he said.
Marty Hunt will have the support of
his six year old daughter Rianna
and wife Catriona who will be coming along to the event. He says his
wife has been incredibly supportive of his entry into motorsport by
"giving him enough rope with which to hang himself with!"
"She has offered great
encouragement for me to race more events.... no need to be told
twice when it comes to racing! It makes all the difference when
you have such a supportive environment from which to do these things."
he says.
Hunt has flown to Hamilton to have a look at the circuit for himself
just recently and gives it the thumbs up as do most any drivers that
have done the same.
Holden V8 Supercar driver Russell Ingall was recently quoted as saying
the weekend will be a crash-fest and to expect plenty of carnage, a
comment which has been dismissed by many after it was disclosed Ingall
had not yet been to see the circuit for himself.
The New Zealand Mini Challenge
championship was won by Brent Collins who claimed
victory at the final Tier One round at Teretonga Park last month. The
opportunity to race in this bonus round at the new Hamilton street
circuit was snapped up by the majority of the Mini drivers and teams
who look forward to what promises to be an action packed weekend.
As well as the Mini Challenge and the V8 Supercars, spectators will
also be able to catch the action of the NZV8s which have become a crowd
favourite throughout the country.
ends
|
|
