World Premier: MINI Cooper B-Spec Race Car
MINI USA is getting in the business of selling race cars. Today MINI took the wraps off of the new B-Spec Cooper that will be sanctioned to run in the SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and the World Challenge. Basically any weekend next spring, summer or fall you will likely be able to find some place to race the B-Spec Cooper.
So why B-spec? B-Spec vehicles are production-based cars that are equalized on power and weight to make the racing as competitive as possible and all four of the major racing sanctioning bodies (SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge).
“B-Spec racing is a great fit for MINI because the car is developed with racing heritage in mind and the races are run with vehicles very similar to those already sitting in the driveway,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “Getting involved with B-Spec racing offers a fun and competitive race environment without requiring MINI drivers to make a large financial investment to make their car a serious competitor.”
Helping to make this all possible is MINI of Charleston who is partnering with MINI USA on the effort.
MINI of Charleston, a Hendrick Automotive Group company, will build and sell turn-key MINI Hardtop racing vehicles by the start of the 2012 season. It will also offer class-legal conversion kits so the owner of any 2007 – 2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop can easily be ready to race in B-Spec. All safety equipment will meet or exceed requirements set forth by the sanctioning body.
During the LA Auto Show, the first MINI’s B-Spec prototype will be on display. This vehicle will be driven by Brad Davis, Executive General Manager of MINI of Charleston and team driver Robbie Davis.
MINI USA’s existing contingency program for all four racing series will be extended to sanctioned B-Spec race teams, with financial compensation for an eligible podium finish.
“MINI entering B-Spec racing is full of benefits,” said Vinnie Kung, MINI USA Product Manager. “Drivers can enter the racing arena for a fairly low investment in a car developed from the ground up with performance and handling at its core. In addition, MINI USA’s contingency program is to compelling, it could even pay off the car itself in about a year.”
Final contingency payout information, as well as detailed pricing for the MINI Hardtop adapted by MINI of Charleston and the conversion kits, will be announced as the start of the 2012 season draws closer.
Vehicle Specs: 2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop B-Spec Racer
– HP: 121 @ 6,000, factory rated
TQ: 114 @ 4,250, factory rated
– Steering: Electric power-assisted rack and pinion, 14.1:1 ratio
– Weight: 2,535 pounds, 60.4%/39.6% F/R, factory rated
– Length / Wheelbase / Height: 146.6”/ 97.1” / 55.4”
– Suspension: KW V1 Coilover Struts and Shocks/ Vorshlag front camber plates
– Brakes: Standard MINI Brake system with Carbotech Brake Pads and Way Motorworks Stainless Steel Braided hoses.
– Safety Equipment: Kirk Racing Roll Cage with Kirkey Intermediate Road Racing Seat and Schroth Hybrid III Harnesses, Cage Nets and Window Net.
– Wheel / Tire: 15 x 7 Kosei K1 aluminum alloy / Hoosier SM6 205-50-15
Performance-enhancing electronics standard on all MINIs
– Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
– Four-wheel disc Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
– Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
– Brake Force Distribution (BFD)
<p>cool</p>
<p>I kind of get it. But why a Justa? </p>
<p>Because it closet aligns with the power to weight ratio requirements of B-Spec</p>
<p>Ahh, so I wonder how much one of these cars costs compared to building one yourself. I would assume that the warranty would not be an issue since it seems MINI voids warranties for “racing” and you wouldn’t really get one if you bought it from a dealership in the first place. Sounds interesting.</p>
<p>Most likely it will be MUCH cheaper to buy a decent used car and build it up yourself. </p>
<p>Hmm, so 15″ racing wheels means its using the regular Cooper brakes. Why not upgrade to S brakes and 16″ wheels?</p>
<p>Class rules. The times must be no larger than 15×7 and no heavier than 13 pounds.</p>
<p>Tires. Not times.</p>
<p>Interesting, would have loved to see them use the R58 Cooper for this though.</p>
<p>that would have been a great way to pump the new model</p>
<p>With a Coupe you couldn’t do it for under $25k</p>
<p>Great news. Neat.</p>
<p>Will be really interested in the cost of the conversion kit. This could be really fun.</p>
<p>Will be really interested in the cost of the conversion kit. This could be really fun.</p>
<p>One thing I have to say is seeing the wide 15s on this car I don’t get it at all why people are obsessed with low profile sidewalls and large diameter wheels. Its not the sidewall, its the width.</p>
<p>would look much better if that MINIUSA decal was not slanted… and if they got rid of all the chrome accents and make them body colored</p>
<p>If you step up and buy one you can decorate it any way you want.</p>
<p>Cudo’s for Rick Hendrick!!!!</p>
<p>So far you’ve got the Cooper, the Honda Fit, Mazda 2, Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta and the Kia Rio. Could be a fun group. If I was going to invest in a car and program, seems like Spec Miata would be hard to resist, though.</p>
<p>Agreed. These should be good races to watch. The MINI has a more sophisticated rear suspension (i.e., not a variant of torsion beam) than a number of its competitors so that is a huge plus in its favour. </p>
<p>Perhaps the more credible B-stock competitors to the MINI, spec-wise at least, are the Mazda2 and the Fiat500, the former because it really does drive very well in corners and in some ways better than the MINI if you’ve had a chance to fling one about (largely because it is lighter than a MINI by several hundred lb) and the Fiat500 also because it is so light. </p>
<p>Yeah, I think I would put my money on the Mazda2.</p>
<p>DO they allow JCW Aerokit? It is a factory installed option now and due to that you would not be making the car become outside of showroom stock. It would look a hell of a lot better though.</p>
<p>Looks great and it’s function over form. Money spent for a real race car looks a bit different than money spent to LOOK like a race car. Really exciting that MINI will be mixing it up on the track with other brands.</p>
<p>Whats wrong with making a race car look more racy???</p>
<p>If a guy has the money to do both I fully support that. No argument with more go and more show.</p>
<p>Can I just say that I love the fact that my mechanic, Way Motor Works, is supplying the brake lines. He also helped spec some of the other components. This isn’t some mega-shop, just a guy with a small shop and a hard-working crew.</p>
<p>Heck yeah!!!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the write-up, Gabe. Well done as always.</p>
<p>Nice to see the factory sponsoring racing. I just hope that they continue to support RSR Motorsports in the Continental Tire Challenge ST class. RSR had a great year last year and were in contention for the overall season driver’s championship right up to the last race. They certainly have the MINI Cooper S tuned up and running strong.</p>
<p>R. 5. 3.</p>
<p>How much?</p>
<p>If you guys want to see what it could possibly look like racing these then check out YouTube and search for MINI Challenge UK</p>
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<p>Great idea for us MC owners that want a tighter handling package.</p>
<p>But not as a daily driver. This looks like a bonafide race spec, not something you’d buy to as a street legal performance oriented mini. it MAY be street legal, but with a full roll cage, it’s not practical, nor safe, as a daily driver.</p>
<p>Not sure if this is meant to be driven to the track or on a trailer. If it’s meant to be driven, then I hope the roll cage will allow four tires to be stored in the boot–I wouldn’t want to drive to the track on the Hoosier’s; I’d save those for the track.</p>
<p>Love the idea–hope the price is right!</p>