ALL OUT ISLAND ASSAULT FOR ROCK BOYS TO SECURE MINI PODIUM

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009: The Bargwanna Motorsport ROCK Energy Drinks team are keen to go all out to chase down second spot on the MINI Challenge scoreboard this weekend at Phillip Island in support of the L&H 500 V8 Supercar endurance race.

Currently sitting third in the Title chase, Scott Bargwanna has eyes on mowing down Grant Denyer and runaway Series leader, Paul Stokell.

The Como (NSW) based cousin of Team Principal and Sprint Gas Racing V8 Supercar driver, Jason, had his preparation interrupted for Phillip Island, when his daughter was admitted to hospital with a kidney problem.

“That is a real wake up call and really puts into perspective that racing cars isn’t that important in the overall scheme of things,” Scott said. “Thankfully she’s on the mend now, but it has affected my preparation a little, I can assure you.”

The ROCK Energy Drinks supported team – who were still bolting bits onto the car at Sandown after Scott’s massive turn one shunt at Townsville – have had more time to go through the car and get it ready for the fast flowing Island circuit.

“We found some things, mainly in the suspension that we had to work on, so we’ve done that and we’ll be good to go. The team went well there last year – Jason did the clean sweep and I was leading the second race until I put a wheel off at Southern Loop. We’d like it to be more of the same and bring home that win, which seems to be eluding us at the moment.”

Team-mate, Brendon ‘BJ’ Cook continues his MINI Challenge ‘master class’ at Phillip Island – yet another circuit he’s yet to visit. Nevertheless, BJ is taking his usual charismatic approach.

“When I came into MINI Challenge, I knew it was going to be a tough ask to be competitive straight away. My aim was to bring the car home in one piece each race and consistently finish in the top 10 – so far, so good.

“I want to keep that run going and if I can be knocking on the door of the top half dozen and maintain my spot in the Championship around sixth or seventh, then I’ll be happy.”

ROCK Brand Ambassador and Team Principal, Jason Bargwanna, goes into the year’s first V8 Supercar endurance race brimful of confidence. Experienced campaigner, Mark Noske will line up alongside him, whilst the other Sprint Gas car will see five times Bathurst Champion, Mark Skaife saddle up alongside four times Bathurst Champ, Greg Murphy. Add Bargwanna’s one Bathurst win to those and you have the winningest garage (in terms of Bathurst wins) anywhere on pitlane.

“Testing was good for us at Winton just before the last round at Queensland Raceway, so we’re pretty fired up for the endurance races,” he said. “I’m hopeful at Phillip Island we can bring it home in the top 10.

“We have put ourselves under pressure and we want nothing less than a top six result in the next two races.”

“As for the ROCK Energy Drinks MINI Challenge team, the guys have both been very consistent throughout the year. If you look at Scott’s two DNFs to date and factor that into the overall Series pointscore, it’s an awesome effort to still be third.

“Denyer’s close enough for Scott to have a sniff – so we’re chasing him down at the moment. As for Stokell, there are still a few races left to go!”

The ROCK Energy Drinks MINI Challenge team will compete in three x 20 minute races across the Sandown weekend. One of those races will be telecast LIVE around Australia on the Seven Network, with a 30 minutes highlights package to air the week following.