Just recieved this little nugget from our good friend Phil Wicks that might make more than a few US MINI race fans smile:

>Phil Wicks Racing and its marketing agency, Mackey Marketing Group are pleased to announce that negotiations have been completed for the 2005 and 2006 MINI Challenge Series from the U.K. to be televised in the USA.

>The U.K.-based MINI Challenge Series is the basis for the North American MINI Cooper Championship that commenced racing in 2006. Under the guidance of long time MINI racing professional Phil Wicks, the North American MINI Cooper Championship will stage six events in 2006 with an expanded schedule in 2007.

>“Televising the U.K. Series here in the USA is the first step toward developing the U.S. series to be of similar stature and success,” said Phil
Wicks. “I think that many MINI fans will discover the tremendous excitement
and competitive nature of the MINI Challenge in the U.K. and will want to
join in our racing series being developed for the American market. We’re
very excited that we have made these arrangements to televise the U.K. MINI
Challenge Series.”

>The racing will debut on the newly launched MavTV. MavTV is a new network
that carries a variety of programming themes targeting men 18-54, including
sports, sports analysis, gaming, comedy, women and relationships, health and
fitness, finance, gadgets, and movies. MavTV is a 24/7 destination channel
dedicated to reaching men in an irreverent, humorous, opinionated fashion.
Now MINI racing joins the mix of programming that is carried by the network.

>Times and broadcast schedules will be announced soon. MINI enthusiasts
that don’t receive MavTV on their cable system are encouraged to call their
local cable provider and ask for it. For additional information on MavTV
visit their website at www.mavtv.com.

>“The quality of the racing TV coverage is superb,” added Mackey Marketing
president, Brian Mackey. “This series makes great television viewing and I
think the American audiences will love the action and the competitive nature
of this series. I want to thank MavTV for believing in our product and
providing this opportunity. We look forward to a great relationship with
MavTV.”

>Phil Wicks owns and operates the Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy as well as
administering the North American MINI Cooper Championship racing series.
Phil Wicks has been involved with the Mini Cooper since its inception in the
1960s and has been a significant presence in the MINI enthusiast community
for fifty years.