Woodcliff Lake, NJ– November 16, 2011 — MINI USA has partnered with MINI of Charleston (South Carolina) to announce that the MINI Cooper Hardtop will begin racing in the B-Spec series for the 2012 race season. 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) will host B-Spec races in 2012. “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.†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. For more information about MINI USA’s contingency program, please visit MINIUSA.com “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: 146.6â€/ 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)
2012 Pirelli World Challenge Partial Schedule has been released as of 11/11/11. I've only included those with the B-Spec races included. -- April 27-29: Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah (coheadliner with NASCAR West series; GT GTS, Touring Car and Touring Car B-Spec) -- June 1-3: Belle Isle Raceway, Detroit (with IndyCar and Grand-Am weekend; GT, GTS, Touring Car and Touring Car B-Spec) -- June 22-24: Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada (headline race; GT, GTS, Touring Car and Touring Car B-Spec)
No they are not just plain KW V1's. We are using a set of custom valved V1's and custom spring rates on them. So they will be a spec set.
Belle Island would be awesome, drove that course in my Mini years ago. When it is not a race track it is a park so it is a public road 99% of the time fun little road to drive.
Any shots of the roll cage? And why aren't they spec'ing halo seats? And is the listed weight the spec weight or is there a minimum in there somewhere?
Very cool - I expect there will be some exciting, tight races. Maybe I'll head down to Mosport for the last one - I've never seen a road race in person.
That will sure cut travel expenses for the teams, but does not do much to get the series out in front of the car buying public.
Yes we are planning to offer them to the public, but in reality you would be better off getting our TSW V2's or V3's. as you will be able to adjust them. These V1's for the race car are not adjustable as the rules don't allow it. I've been working with them on picking the parts for the car and I have provided the brake lines, KW's and will be helping/doing the testing to select the valving and springs that will be the final spec. We also advised that they use the Vorshlag camber plates. This is a very exciting project for us to be involved with. From my understanding they are going to just start with offering a kit to build your car into a spec B car, not the entire car. Again you would be better off getting other mods as the parts on this car are specific and limited by the rules. Your track day car wouldn't have limits.