05/04/02

AUSSIE SHOWSTOPPER

Mintex Backs MINI Race Stunner To The Max

Following one of the most eagerly anticipated new car arrivals this century, MINI Cooper made its return to racing at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and Mintex, the world's biggest name in braking, was at the heart of the action by providing the stopping power for the MINI Celebrity Challenge.

The unique, one-off race promoted by BMW Australia, attracted a star-studded line-up of celebrities, models and TV personalities who helped bring a new dimension to motor sport in 2002.

The stars of the Australian sports, show biz and media world, including former Rugby Union speedster David Campese, were amongst the first worldwide to put the mighty MINI through its racing paces.

The specification of the 25 identical MINI Coopers was created and developed by Sussex-based John Cooper Works in England - the manufacturer of the original MINI Cooper in1961. Like the original, the MINI Cooper race car is bursting with excitement, featuring an uprated 1.6 litre multi-valve four-cylinder engine with 125bhp underfoot, sports suspension and Mintex F-Series racing brake pads.

The celebrity showpiece bristled with exhilaration and eventually saw Tom Bowell, a Qantas Airlines competition winner produce a gripping display to upstage his more illustrious opponents.

He led from pole to beat Russell Mark, an Olympic gold and silver medal winner, with Great Britain's Mike Cooper, the son of JCW founder John
Cooper finishing third.

For Mike Cooper the podium finish was a fitting bonus to a weekend that saw MINI make it's return to competitive motor sport, and he declared the Celebrity race to be the happiest day of his life.

With a long and illustrious history of involvement in motor sport, from club racing to F1, Mintex support of the 2002 MINI Celebrity Challenge demonstrates their increasing profile in world motor sport.

Further press information and photographs from Michael Hodges,
Mintex Press Office

Tel: 01491 411777
Fax: 01491 412777
E-mail: michael.hodges@mph.co.uk

Issued on behalf of TMD Friction UK by MPH Communications.
54a Queen Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, RG9 1AP

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