MINI’s New JCW Challenge Race Car

Sections: JCW | Motorsports | Official News Aug 14th, 2007 90 Comments

Official MINI Press Release: MINI performance is to be taken to new levels with the new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE, a MINI Cooper S built specifically for track use and ready to race. Set for its first public appearance at the forthcoming IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, deliveries of the new car will take place from spring 2008. Key characteristics of the new car include a higher top speed, increased torque, faster acceleration and optimised traction.

Power enhancements are at the core of the striking CHALLENGE car’s modifications. As well as a re-developed twin-scroll turbocharger, the standard MINI Cooper S engine receives modified pistons, air filter, air intake passage, catalytic converter, exhaust components, electronic sensors and engine management system.

Numerous chassis and suspension tweaks add to what is a finely-tuned racing package. The new suspension system features adjustable damper units from KW Automotive, designed specifically for motorsport. A six-speed manual gearbox transmits power to 17″ front wheels made by Borbet and shod with exclusive new racing tyres manufactured by Dunlop.

Body revisions based on the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit, currently available from all MINI dealers, are key features of the CHALLENGE car’s set-up. To generate increased downforce at higher speeds, CHALLENGE car owners can expect a new adjustable rear spoiler, rear diffuser and performance front spoiler. The new braking system performs exceptionally. Large four-piston calipers mean the car can go from 62 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 0mph in just 3.1 seconds. A race-specific ABS configuration and an air-pressure elevating system complete the product modifications, which together equate to a vehicle 30kg lighter than the previous CHALLENGE car.

Safety measures perfect the array of MINI CHALLENGE car features. A roll cage welded firmly to the body of the car houses RECARO bucket seats combined with a six-point safety belt, along with the HANS (Head And Neck Support) system used in Formula 1 cars.

Although the car is designed for race participation, private owners may find owning a MINI CHALLENGE car a compelling prospect. However, the car will not be licensed for public roads and as such is expected to maintain its appeal among racing enthusiasts.

The MINI Challenge race series is fast gaining presence and popularity around the world. Since 2004, Challenge races have been staged in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and New Zealand. In 2008, MINI Australia will also hold a Challenge competition.

Race teams will receive the first MINI CHALLENGE cars from March 2008. Private customers not competing in the MINI Challenge series can expect deliveries of cars from June 2008. An order form for the car can be downloaded from 11 September 2007 at www.MINI.com/challenge-car and the expected price is Ã¢â€šÂ¬49,900 inc. VAT.

MINI John Cooper Works Challenge performance data:

Model	Power Hp	Torque Nm	0 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 62mph Seconds 0 – 62	Top Speed Mph
MINI Cooper S	175	240*	7.1	140
MINI CHALLENGE	210	260**	6.1	149

* 260Nm with Overboost ** 280Nm with Overboost

MotoringFile Analysis: As promised MINI will be debuting the new JCW Challenge car at Frankfurt with hopes of selling quite a few for the 2008 racing season. But what does this mean for those waiting for a JCW factory car? Quite a bit as it turns out. We have it on good authority (Dr. Kay Segler himself) that the new Challenge race car will form the basis of the new JCW factory car. So we’re effectively getting a sneak peak at the specification of the 2009 factory JCW today.

The look of the car will also likely preview the factory JCW with the current JCW aerokit forming the basis of all the visual modifications. The key difference with the race car are the brake ducts where the fog-lights and driving-lights are currently located on the road car, the huge GP-esque wing and rear defuser.

Look for the factory JCW road car to debut next year.

Extra Large Image Downloads

You can see some extra large versions of the JCW Challenge car images below. Right click on each link to download to save to your computer:

Front View / Side View / Rear View

Written By: Gabe

http://miniposeur.blogspot.com eto

Is there any way we can get some high-res versions of these pics?
Chris

eto…high-res versions of the images are located at the very bottom of the article. They look like this:

Front View / Side View / Rear View

The high-res images make great desktop wallpaper.

BTW, the R56 is awesome, and this makes me want one even more. Now if I only knew what color to get!
Jon

Eto did you see the extra large links at the bottom of the article? There is one of the front, side, and rear.
Darren

Wow! Thats one seriously cool Mini.

I hope that some of the features will be taken over to the factory Works car or at the very least available as options. And yes, bring back Jet black!!!
http://miniposeur.blogspot.com eto

Thanks for pointing out my oversight, Chris and Jon! :)
dark06mcs

well, if you believe those german “specs” it still says 1598 cc, guess they didnt bore it out like some people thought
lavardera

The side vents are unique as well – chrome, no S
Charlie

Gabe, Any indication of the “US version” being priced differently than the UK/Europe one at 49,900 Euros? That amount translates to $67,000 right now. You have to wonder where the extra $30k is coming from….other than being profit.
Philip

Ha, it’s so nice to be a Frankfurter (not a Wiener!).

Can wait to see the car here at the Motor Show in September.
Mark (Ohio)

I really like the graphics they used on this car. I’ve never seen a side number kit like this, very cool! I just like how it all ties together, the viper stripes even the stickers. Kudos to the design team!
Jon

Race suspension would be my bet for a large bit of the cost, would guess there isn’t a large bit of profit on these cars. Interior race components would add up, anyways I doubt that Mini is doing anything with its pricing outside of selling it for the cost of the components and any additional time and effort to support the cars when their out.
BG

Do you know what the wheel and tire sizes are?
http://www.dcmini.blogspot.com/ DanC

Will those wheels made by Borbet fit the R53? Will they be available as an accessory?
Siddhartha

Here’s the spec MINI we’ve been waiing for.

MINI USA, where’s OUR series?? Doesn’t the fact that the Challenge is so popular in the rest of the world arouse any interest in you guys?

I personally know 10 guys in California who have cobbled together Mini race cars/track cars out of aftermarket parts and taught themselves how to drive them fast. Wouldn’t you like to see them duke it out at Sears Point or Laguna Seca? I know I would . . . heck, I’d be in one!
http://forums.kcminiclub.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=710 Cory

Maybe MINI can be convinced to make this car road-legal. On the right track?
Jon

Don’t get me wrong I love this car, but next question just how many people here are willing to spend over 60k on a road legal Mini. I for one would not. I have little problem with a 35-40k decked out Mini but 20k extra, nope. If there was a established race here in the states like the Challenge I would seriously think about this car for the track but if I am spending 60k on a street car it wouldn’t be a Mini
Siddhartha

It’s just a matter of personal choice, Jon.

Personally, I have invested over $60K in my JCW MCS track car.

So to answer your question: at least one.
Siddhartha

Cory:

Why make it road legal?? It’s a dedicated track car not unlike the Lotus Sport Exige Cup Car. It is what it is. Trailer it to the track and flog it. Yippeee!
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

Thanks for the high res pics for my desktop! Looks awesome!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

That amount translates to $67,000 right now. You have to wonder where the extra $30k is coming fromÃ¢â‚¬Â¦.other than being profit.

While I’m sure MINI isn’t losing money on this car, they aren’t making it hand over fist. The price difference is due to reverse economies of scale combined with pricey components and the fact that these cars are produced mostly be hand.

Any indication of the “US version” being priced differently than the UK/Europe one at 49,900 Euros?

This was answered in an article about the car earlier this summer.

MINI USA, whereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s OUR series?? DoesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t the fact that the Challenge is so popular in the rest of the world arouse any interest in you guys?

There are several reasons that it just doesn’t work in this country. For one, the people willing to spend $70k on a track car typically don’t want a MINI. Secondly there just isn’t a huge interest in one-make racing series in this country. It’s a sad fact but the NASCAR-ization of US racing has drained much of the money and interest out of these type of series.
Jon

Siddhartha would love to see the stats on your track car and some photo’s. Sounds like you have a barn stormer.
http://miniposeur.blogspot.com eto

There are several reasons that it just doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t work in this country. For one, the people willing to spend $70k on a track car typically donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t want a MINI. Secondly there just isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t a huge interest in one-make racing series in this country. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a sad fact but the NASCAR-ization of US racing has drained much of the money and interest out of these type of series.

Mazda has done well with the Miata/MX-5 cup series. I think the price of admission is a good bit less than 60k, though. The series was televised on Speed Channel. From what I’ve seen of interviews with MINIUSA execs, they won’t be supporting major race series, which would be necessary for a MINI cup series to succeed.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Mazda has done well with the Miata/MX-5 cup series. I think the price of admission is a good bit less than 60k, though.

You’re absolutely right. However (as you point out) the price of entry is substantially lower and thus the opportunity to get large (regionally based) fields in much higher.
coobah

I love it!! I agree, it finally makes me want an R56, or whatever they will call it. That rear wing is SICK! It is a twin-tier jobby, not attached at the sides like the GP, but at the top. If the diffuser is available for the 09 JCW, I am getting one, no questions.

I totally agree about the color selection from Mini though, we need more choices. Bring back silk green, and EB.
coobah

I meant to add, I would like to see a photochop look of this car with some black R105s!!! Anyone help with that request?
micah

Mazda has done well with the Miata/MX-5 cup series. I think the price of admission is a good bit less than 60k, though.

The price for building a MX-5 cup car is darn close to what MINI will be charging, and personally I’d much rather race the MINI. You can build a spec Miata for significantly less, but even the top guys in that class are paying upwards of $50K for “cheater” spec cars with engines made from matched components (B&B is not allowed, but people will always stretch the rules to the nth degreee).

Compared to the entry price of $250K or more for a competitive Speed World Challenge car, and the MINI actually starts to sound like a bargain. Don’t get me worng, I can’t afford the spec MINI, but given its components and the labor that goes into building a dialed, reliable, safe race car, the price is not obscene.

If you wanna go race regionally for the least amount of money, a series like spec e30, spec 944, spec Miata, Honda Challenge is probably the way to go…
micah

ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a sad fact but the NASCAR-ization of US racing has drained much of the money and interest out of these type of series.

Sad indeed, the amount of $ for grassroots racing in the States relative to the strength of our car culture is pathetic. In contrast, look at many European countries and others like Australia/NZ — they have numerous top level motorsports series like F1, MotoGP, WRC, DTM, Aussie touring car, etc. in addition to more grassroots, smaller, well-supported, sponsored series like MINI Challenge.
lavardera

Nascar… have you ever seen one of their runs on a road course? Lumbering those big american “sedans” around real curves…
GregW

Now here’s a dream…. The Indy 500 is being revamped and all cars will be MINI Coopers. Hmmm… didn’t John Cooper bring his F1 rear drive car to race at Indy and cause a stir and revolution?
Siddhartha

Jon Aug 15th, 2007 Link

Siddhartha would love to see the stats on your track car and some photoÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s. Sounds like you have a barn stormer.

The only stat that matters is a 2:06 time around Thunderhill, which set the Time Trials Class D record in May 2007.

Check out the process here:

http://www.motoringunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5177
tsukiji

The new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE car may never come to the US because, unfortunately, MINIUSA doesn’t have enough money to support it. MINIUSA barely has enough money to send a sandwich-board guy to Hot Import Nights, much less to support competitive motorsports.
Jon

Looks good Siddhartha!

Think you pointed out my one problem with this race car. No car I have ever driven is perfect, modify..modify..modify is my history. Starting with a 65k base Mini to modify isn’t likely, sure do look forward to my future factory JCW.
engine 58

they should come to sebring and homestead. i would go to both. also the car is awesome i just hope we can get some of that cool stuff !
Nigel

The new MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE car may never come to the US because, unfortunately, MINIUSA doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have enough money to support it. MINIUSA barely has enough money to send a sandwich-board guy to Hot Import Nights, much less to support competitive motorsports

Really?

MINIUSA seems to have enough cash to send people on free trips to Europe (from the US), to cover their top tier events, like MINI UNITED.

MINIUSA is most certainly not a cash strapped operation.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

MINIUSA seems to have enough cash to send people on free trips to Europe (from the US), to cover their top tier events, like MINI UNITED.

Wow you’re right Frank. Flying a couple journalists to Europe on $800 plane tickets is surely about equal to a multi-million dollar national race series. Yeah, what’s stopping them!!!!

MINIUSA is most certainly not a cash strapped operation.

Man you really ended the argument there. “Most certainly” is obviously better than “most” and “certainly” on their own. Nothing else needs to be said does it?
Jon

The fact is from any business’s view it all falls down to cost analysis.

I am sure MiniUSA has looked at this many times and asked the same question. Would a Mini race series in the United States costs offset an improvement of the brand image or sales. Although I would love a Mini spec race, but I happen to agree with their decision to date.
Charlie

Let’s differentiate between a MINI Challenge Series coming to the USA vs the MINI Challenge car being sold in the USA. I vote to bring the car over here for sale to individuals to race in whatever series it will qualify for!
Siddhartha

I’m with Charlie. And then we’ll take it to Newfie and do the Rally!
Jon

I agree that they should bring the car to the States, still a tad expensive when its going to be in a tough division that I am not sure how competitive it would be. Still a very exciting car and one that would be a blast to take around the track.
CandaceMichelle

hey guys i love my mini its great ppl should really take them for a spin i got mine when i turned 16 and im currently 17 and still lovin it mine is turbo charged so i really get to have some fun in it!! it was fixed up with the british flags and stuff when i got it and im about to start makin my engine parts chrome i cant wait to get thru with it its gonna be nice!! any suggestions let me know!!

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