This news comes from our friends a the Phil Wicks Ultimate Mini Driving Academy:

The Phil Wicks Ultimate Mini Driving Academy announces the North American Mini Championship Race Series. Four events have already been scheduled with more to come. The events scheduled are:

  • March 25 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (part of Mini Las Vegas Vacation)
  • April 2 at Sebring (full track)
  • June 10 and 11 at Gateway International Raceway (St. Louis MO)
  • June 29 at Summit Point — Shenandoah track (Summit Point WV) (part of Mini Meet East 2006)

These races will be done in conjunction with the Phil Wicks Ultimate Mini Driving Academy on-track instructional events.

We are very excited about these developments and hope that you and your members can take advantage of an event near you!

In addition to plans for next year, Phil has also released information on a very special event at Laguna Seca this December:

We have a few events left for the remainder of 2005. On October 1 we will be at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon TN. It’s Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw SC on November 13. And the final event of the year — The Phil Wicks Golden Jubilee at Laguna Seca in Monterey CA on December 13 and 14.

Here are the highlights of the Laguna Seca event celebrating Phil Wicks’ 50 Years of Motorsports:

  • Sponsored by Bay Area MINI Dealers
  • Track side Show and Shine ($85 per entry)
  • Phil Wicks Driving Academy on-track Curriculum ($300 per person)
  • MINI and Mini Challenge Race ($300 per person)
  • Gala Award Banquet and Concert ($40 per person)

The host hotel for the event is Embassy Suites Hotel on Monterey Bay. Rooms have been blocked for the event at a special rate of $109 per night. Rooms include two room suite with fully cooked to order breakfast. Call 831-393-1115 before November 13 to make reservations.

Schedule:

December 13: Registration and Tech Inspection at Hotel from noon to 5:30 Welcoming reception at hotel from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

December 14: Track activities begin at 7:00 am Gala awards banquet and concert at 6:30 (additional fee of $40 per person)

Race eligibility:

The race is open to anyone with current competition license. Non-licensed racers must have previously completed a Phil Wicks Driving Academy instructional event or similarly recognized event (with documentary evidence). Instructional club events, i.e. PCA, BMW, Audi, etc., also eligible. Non-licensed entrants will be observed during practice and qualifying sessions to determine race eligibility. Race organizers will make the final decision based on track etiquette and obserbance of track rules. Cars must be prepared with a roll care or roll hoop.

Race classes:

Classic Mini or any derivative, i.e., Mini Marcos, Unipower, or Mini classic-based car as regulated by typical HSR/SCRA classifications.

MINI Cooper (roll cage or roll hoop, fire extinguisher, brake pad and fluid modifications, any street/track day tire and wheel size, no racing slicks, modified air box and exhaust system, any suspension modifications, four-five-or six point seatbelt harness, driver’s seat upgrade optional).

MINI Cooper S (roll cage or roll hoop, fire extinguisher, brake pad and fluid modifications, any street/track day tire and wheel size, no racing slicks, modified air box and exhaust system, four-five-or six point seatbelt harness, driver’s seat upgrade optional)

MINI Cooper S Modified (roll cage or roll hoop, fire extinguisher, any brake modifications, any street/track day tire and wheel size, no racing slicks, any engine modifications, four-five-or six point seatbelt harness, driver’s seat upgrade optional).

John Cooper Works Unlimited Modifications (roll cage or roll hoop, fire extinguisher, any street/track day tire and wheel size, no racing slicks, four-five-or six point seatbelt harness, driver’s seat upgrade optional)