The field assembles prior to Race One of the 2009 MINI Challenge Series, presented by The Boat That Rocked, at Melbourne's Alber Park

Donut King main man Tony Alford at negotiates the chicane.

Chris Alajajian leads a screaming pack of John Cooper Works MINIS at the ING Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

MINI Challenge newcomer Brendon "BJ" Cook is a man on a mission as the chasing pack hunt him down around Albert Park.

Scott Bargwanna works the ROCK Energy Drinks JCW MINI hard.

BMW Formula 1 supremo Dr. Mario addresses the MINI Challenge competitors in the Driver's Lounge on the final day of competition. Dr. Mario told the teams he was more than impressed with the way that MINI Challenge had been conducted over the weekend and that he was keeping a close eye on the racing.

MINI Australia's Justin Hocevar introduces Dr. Mario to the MINI Challenge teams.

TV Presenter and high profile MINI Challenge competitor Grant Denyer welcomes Dr. Mario to the MINI Challenge pit area.

Dr. Mario, Grant Denyer and Justin Hocevar discuss the MINI Challenge's role within the Formula 1 weekend at Albert Park.

Two giants of the Formula 1 world - past and present - Toleman Motorsport MD Ted Toleman and Dr. Mario overlook the Uber Star MINI driven by AFL personality Sam Newman.

Exciting West Australian MINI Challenge newcomer Nathan Callaghan has the race face on prior to qualifying.

Callaghan runs the Calmack Smash Repairs MINI through the chicane.

Callaghan is a busy man as he strives to keep Damien Flack (91) and Barrie Nesbitt (5) at bay. The competitive nature of MINI Challenge competition means you have to fight tooth and nail to keep your position, let alone improve it!

Livewire Perth racer Nathan Caratti has the steely gaze of a gunfighter as he prepares for Race One.

Nathan Caratti enjoys the wonderful handling of the JCW MINI as he hammers through the chicane on two wheels!

The Glory Construction #10 of Nathan Caratti sure does stand out in the Melbourne Formula 1 sunshine!

Busy? Who says MINI Challenge is busy? It's anybody's race heading into turn one!

Sydney's Brendon "BJ" Cook enjoys the comforts of his ROCK entry before Race One.

Brendon Cook gets down to business.

From every angle, the JCW MINI Challenge weapon is a sensational looking vehicle.

The unluckiest man in the field was Queenslander Brendon Cook, who crashed out of the weekend in practice. This photo was taken as Brendon left the pits to head out for that ill-fated session.

The Giant Video Screen captures all the action. And we mean ALL the action. Unfortunately for Nathan Geier, this meant his unceremonious crash into the concrete wall was also documented larger than life.

Talented Victorian racer and BMW Engineer Nathan Geier enjoys a chat with TV personality and DecoRug Racing star Grant Denyer before Race Two.

Grant Denyer gives the Bill Gremos owned DecoRug Racing JCW what for around the Albert Park layout.

Grant Doulman's Dad Peter is a legend of Australian Motorsport and Grant is also understandably keen to make his own impact in the Industrie Clothing JCW MINI.

The M3 Motorsport Grant Doulman car is striking in it's appearance and sports the #1 on it's doors thanks to 2008 MINI Challenge Series winner Neil McFadyen driving for the team last year.

On top of the 8 ball, rather than behind it. Grant Doulman, from a bird's eye point of view.

The Class of 2009! Entrants in the opening round of the 2009 MINI Challenge gather with Toleman Motorsport Directors Ted Toleman (left) and Raf Toda (right)

Marketable Sydney lady racer Helen Lindner takes a moment before qualifying.

Helen Lindner's not out there to be the token lady racer, she's a driver who wants to perform and perform well!

The 2009 MINI Challenge field...

Some of the cast from "The Boat That Rocked" enjoyed the MINI Challenge corporate box hospitality, and actor Rhys Ifans saddled up in Sam Newman's Uber Star MINI for a closer look in the pits after Race Three.

You have to love that colour scheme baby!!

Doesn't Rhys look comfy behind the wheel!

Glory Construction Team Racing owners Lance and Gianna are all smiles after Round One. What a lovely couple these guys are and they really put their heart and soul into the MINI Challenge.

Third place in Round One overall was Queenslander Beric Lynton, who was presented with his trophy by Toleman Motorsport MD Ted Toleman after the final race.

Damian Flack receives some last minute advice from the Motorline crew before Race One!

MINIS everywhere! A huge field greeted fans for Round One of the 2009 MINI Challenge. Now that looks like FUN!

Canberra based builder Peter Leemhuis has joined the MINI Challenge as part of the three-car Monaro Performance team under the Donut King banner.

Queensland BMW Dealer Principal Beric Lynton gears up for a big Australian Formula 1 weekend in his Crimsafe JCW MINI.