Mini prepares "more extreme" racer

[Plex]

BMW is preparing a racing version of the Mk2 Mini for a one-make race series to start in 2008. Whilst the Mini Challenge events will continue to use the current model next year, an all-new racing Mini is being developed for sale worldwide for a variety of competitions.

Until now, competitive race series such as the John Cooper Challenge have been run on a country-by-country basis, but BMW is considering a series of linked international series, all to the same template. There are plans for Mini racing championships in Asia (a pan-Asian series with events in Japan, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong) and North America, and there is also interest in smaller-scale championships in countries including Italy, Belgium and Spain.

All the championships will use the 2008 Mini racer, which will be "more extreme" than the current motorsport-adapted Cooper S, according to a project insider, and "more professional, more like a proper racing car." It will be more like the car used in the German Mini Challenge than the British John Cooper Challenge car: it will not be road-legal, and it will have more sophisticated aerodynamic features, such as a diffuser-type rear spoiler. It will be completely stripped-out to just seats, basic instruments and a roll cage, and will feature necessary additions such as fire extinguishers and track-to-pit radios.

At the moment, track-ready Minis are being supplied to buyers in the US, who have been using them in a number of different race series and events, but there is no established network to sell these cars, necessary parts and provide technical support. BMW is looking into setting up a specific Mini motorsports division in the US, as well as the one-make championships, offering full support to privateer racers. This could be repeated in other markets if there is sufficient demand.

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=14968&ref=archive#article

[gunner]

a thorw back to the 60's when the john cooper works , speedwell , vitamin brt , and bm c speacila tunning had their days on the circuits of europe and the rest fo the world. glad to see the mini is growing up into more of an icon .
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[MG Man]

Marketing
As the novelty of the New Mini wears off, BMW needs new avenues to keep the brand topmind. The New Beetle sold well on nostalgia, but once that ran out, there was nothing else for VW to fall back on....at least BMW has performance
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I know it's so, for I told me so