The Onasled Racing Mid-Engined MINI (Video)
Modifying cars ca be a slippery slope. This is the biggest slope we’ve ever heard of. (Via Axis of Oversteer).
>First it was just to be the caging, full containment seat, and removing of some metal in select areas. But this soon now included a race clutch/flywheel and a Quaife LSD, as the 2003 R-53 Mini Cooper only came with an open Differential. Nothing overly drastic as far as I was concerned, especially since I really never drove the car other than to the track and back, but when Greg said he thought he could build me a custom front sub frame that sounded pretty interesting as I was looking for better handling anyway. The Mini had just been eating up the Hoosiers, never lasting more than a couple days or so.
>…Sensing that I was pretty open minded, and shared the excitement of where Greg wanted to take the car, Greg approached me with an idea that really turned things toward a new beginning, yes, just the beginning I was soon to discover. If a new front sub frame was going to be built than why not do something really different? A few days later Greg sent me a picture of my motor and drivetrain now sitting BEHIND the driver seat.
<p>Great to see this on Motoringfile! I met Bob last fall when I needed parts for my MINI and I met Greg about a month ago on a MINI ice cream run. Can’t wait to see what the finished car looks like!</p>
<p>Interesting. What’s the timeline on this project? How far is it from being finished? When will it see the track?
I’m not sure that’s really mid-engined, it looks more like rear engine. Which will still give you an advantage in performance, but I suspect instead of shredding your Hoosiers on the fronts, you’ll be shredding them on the rears, so it may be a wash there.</p>
<p>It is technically a “mid-engine” car. The motor is not inline with the axels and even still, the motor was moved a bit forward relative to the stock position. Longer axels will be needed. Completion time is hopefully the spring of ’14.</p>
<p>Will this car actuality run better than the other “Coffee Table” Mini?
Remember one qualifying time trial does not make it a race car, it actually has to be in a race and finish.</p>