Richmond Hill, ON – Continuing its long-running heritage in motorsports, MINI Canada is once again supporting the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) with the Contingency Award Program. The incentive program offers Canadians who race a MINI in the CTCC series an opportunity to be rewarded for their commitment to domestic motorsports. MINI Canada will pay contingency awards for first, second and third place finishes in the Touring and Super Touring class races, while also rewarding championship titles.

From 2009 to 2017, a MINI driver has celebrated a first or second place finish in the CTCC Touring class. The 2017 season saw Canadian Michel Sallenbach secure his third Touring class championship title in the past four years. Sallenbach, an experienced CTCC competitor, has achieved a podium finish every year since 2011, further cementing his status as an elite talent in the CTCC.

“MINI is one of the most successful brands in CTCC,” stated John Bondar, President of CTCC. “We are looking forward to seeing MINI and its drivers battling for supremacy during our twelfth season, and are grateful for the support that MINI Canada has provided our drivers over the years.”

For the five-day, 1,500+ kilometre Targa Newfoundland race, MINI Canada will have a contingency payout structure designed to reward first place finishes in the Open, Targa, and Grand Touring classes. MINI is hoping for a championship for the fourth year in a row in the Grand Touring class. In 2017, MINI GP drivers John Hume and Christina Kroner captured first place, while teammates Craig MacMullen and David Jenkins took home second in their MINI Countryman.

Motorsports and MINI have a longstanding relationship dating back to a time when people thought a small car couldn’t possibly compete with, let alone beat, much larger competitors. Corner-hugging abilities combined with spirited performance have made MINI a pinnacle of racing excellence. Achieved in large part due to John Cooper’s contributions to the brand, MINI has seen continued success at races like the Monte Carlo Rallye throughout the 1960s and around the globe today in places like Dakar.

“MINI is excited about our commitment to domestic motorsports in Canada,” said Andrew Scott, director, MINI Canada. “With four MINI models available as a John Cooper Works including the iconic 3 door and all-wheel drive Countryman and Clubman, MINI racetrack ready performance has never been more available to Canadians who love fast cars; on the track or off of it.”