The team behind Team MINI

The drivers get the glory (supposedly!) and the co-drivers reckon the drivers couldn't tie their shoes let alone drive without directions. Friendly rivalry and good-natured ribbing prevails at the pointy end of Team MINI -- at least until the lights go green.

In truth it's not the guys in the cars who make things happen but the machine behind the Team MINI Coopers. Team MINI's Targa Tasmania 2007 effort is headed by team Manager Rob Palermo and his merry band of techs -- all volunteers, most from MINI dealerships around the country.

BMW Australia's Dave Ortolan, MINI-owner and part-time racer himself, Peter Kaiser, have been with Team MINI since day one. Joining the squad for Targa 2007 are Derek Kosmalski and Daniel Ness from Victoria, and Ben Turner and Timothy Howard from NSW.

If we do well this year, it's all the work of these guys. If we don't -- they're bloody hopeless! Only joking!

Rob Palermo comes to Team MINI following substantial motorsport experience including time at Jordan F1 and most recently in the V8 Supercar paddock. After those pesky GP cars and limp-wristed V8s, the supercharged performance of the Coopers are a challenge, but we reckon Rob will cope okay...

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Event updates at targatasmania.com.au

Follow the link to Team MINI's news and results from the 2006 Targa Tasmania event here

Image: (L-R) Derek Kosmalski, Daniel Ness, Timothy Howard, team manager Rob Palermo, Dave Ortolan, Peter Kaiser and Ben Turner