WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- MINI USA congratulates the RSR Motorsports racing team on their podium finish during the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race held at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. The factory-backed racing team entered three Street Tuner (ST) class MINIs in the race, and the car No. 198, a 2005 MINI Cooper S driven by Craig Conway and B.J. Zacharias, won third place. "We are very excited for the RSR Racing team, and congratulate them on their accomplishments during the Homestead race," said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. "It's great to see MINI vehicles performing so well in a racing environment, which is a big part of the brand's heritage." In addition to the team making the podium for the first time, the RSR Motorsports team earned another honor as Sarah Cattaneo, driver of the No. 197, became the first female driver to ever win the pole in the ST class. Her pole also marked the sixth time the team has won the pole during its two years of racing the MINI vehicles. "These races are like a 2½-hour sprint, and the competition is as tough as the Olympics," said Randy Smalley, RSR Motorsports owner and driver. "I am really proud of the whole team's performance. This is the type of finish we have been working toward for the past two years, and I look forward to the rest of this racing season."
It's about time MINI USA came out of the woodwork. Maybe they'll start paying more attention to motorsports and start something close to what Mazda does as far as support goes.
I think it's all about poles and podiums. I don't expect to see them intentionally broadcasting their association with less success than that, but score P1 in quali or a podium finish and it'll happen again. Never mind that though, well done RSR! Here's hoping Homestead gave us a sign of things to come. Good luck at Barber! :yesnod: