Aussie MINI Challenge Race Car Testing
Looks like the teams are getting ready for this weekend’s season kick-off. We’ll bring you news of the race as soon as we get it.
Big thanks to Chris for the link.
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Looks like the teams are getting ready for this weekend’s season kick-off. We’ll bring you news of the race as soon as we get it.
Big thanks to Chris for the link.
Nice road holding ability and acceleration. Will be interesting to see how they perform on race day – only a couple of days away!
Now, that’s HOT! This is what the MINI was built for! and the JCW Challenge race car is the totally maxed out MINI! Even more to the max than the GP, or the new JCW road car. Can’t wait to see them in the USA. Next, we have to get a US MINI Challenge race series going!
But the JCW GP is a street car. The new JCW R56 Challenge car is only track venue legal.
>But the JCW GP is a street car. The new JCW R56 Challenge car is only track venue legal.
Sort of off topic but one thing to remember about the new JCW MINI is that it was made possible by the Challenge Race car. Because the JCW MINI’s engine and drivetrain is entirely based off of the challenge car, it was relatively easy for MINI to develop it with minimal costs.
So in a sense, when you see these challenge cars at the track, you’re basically seeing a new JCW MINI…albeit with less weight and a better suspension.
Nice video, thanks Chris for sharing the link
Gabe – I almost snorted coffee all over my keyboard when I read “you’re basically seeing a new JCW MINI” when you see a MINI Challenge car on the track.
The JCW MINI is in no way a JCW MINI Challenge car.
It could be ordered somewhat close to one, but would have a full interior and no cage, no air jacks, no straight through exhaust, no special race equipment, no crew and driver to go along with it, different brakes, wheels and tires for track use only.
Yes, the 2 cars are closely related, but a world of difference. Fast street car vs. full blown race car.
Similar, yes, but basically the same. Well, in body only.
So sorry, must limit my cafeine intake. [/rant]
sorry – I thought it was obvious I was just talking about the streetable aspects of the car… ie the engine and the drivetrain.
It’s even better in person, I was at Eastern Creek on Tuesday for an open track day and there was a MINI Challenge car out there testing, I had a good look at it in the pits, there is so much detail to look at, like the rear diffuser and the full roll cage and those Borbets are HOT. If the JCW road car sounds like the challenge car, I’m sold 🙂
The marshal let us stand on the pit wall at the end of the main straight so we could see it come down at full speed and brake for turn 1, it’s really cool.
Interesting article from Wheels magazine as well…
<a href="http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/News/Mini+Challenge+fires+up.html?open&fullarticle=yes" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/News/Mini+Challenge+fires+up.html?open&fullarticle=yes</a>
i hope you like the Video
Regards,Justin Ruggier(Iam the driver of the car)
At tonight’s launch of the Clubman in Australia, Brisbane MINI confirmed that the third MINI Challenge race will be televised, commencing at 3:15pm this Sunday on Channel 7 (QLD Australia time). Brisbane MINI has two cars that will be racing in the Challenge series.
Justin, the video was great, can we get your thoughts on the car?
Aussom, a full listing of the currently accurate TV schedule for the Australian MINI Challenge series can be seen [HERE](<a href="http://www.ausringers.com/2008/02/14/mini-challenge-secures-great-tv-package.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.ausringers.com/2008/02/14/mini-challenge-secures-great-tv-package.html</a>)
Hi Darren
in regards to your message, i have driven quite a number of cars and the mini is awesome to drive as for a front wheel drive car it handles really well and the Brake package is awesome as well as the car stops so well.
In regards to power it goes quite well, in that test i done i only used 3rd and 4th gear but it was faster using the torque of the engine.
Hopefully i will be driving the race car at Wakefield park and i promise i will put a camera in the car if i get the drive and i will post it on this site for you guys to have a look at.
Regards,Justin Ruggier
More and more great videos of the Ruggier Brothers racing.. check out my youtube channel..
All videos can be re used on any website!
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/rotorg33k" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/rotorg33k</a>
Kind Regards
Jamie Ruggier