Subaru BRZ RA Racing announced in Japan

Subaru has unveil the BRZ RA Racing for the Japanese market. The BRZ RA Racing is caged, has a race harness for the driver, and features dedicated brake ducts, an oil cooler, tow hooks, and simple 16-inch steelies.

Power is provided by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine which likely produces 200 HP (147 kW) and 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.

Inside the car is a newly added six-point roll cage with custom floor mats and a FIA-spec four-point racing harness. Air conditioning is standard but the radio has been removed to cut some weight.

Pricing has been announced at 2,868,000 yen in Japan, which translates to about $31,500. There is no word yet on whether a tuned up version of the BRZ will make it to North America.




Press Release

Can compete in ~ "GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race" announced the SUBARU BRZ "RA Racing" vehicles compete one-make race

Participation as a vehicle for one-make race 86/SUBARU BRZ TOYOTA, FHI, today announced the "RA Racing" was a charity race bodywork for SUBARU BRZ.

Based on the "RA" is the best grade to improve brake performance in the customization, Torsen LSD "RA Racing" is * 1 , equipped and air-cooled engine oil cooler. In addition, also decorated with safety equipment, such as 6-point roll cage and 4 point seat belt, was Mel specifications and enjoy with confidence the traveling circuit that assumes the race.

This vehicle, one make race "GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race" that is scheduled to take place from the summer of 2013: Toyota Techno Craft (supervision Toyota Cars Race association) * 2 will be released from the "86 Racing It is possible with the war. "

Under the brand statement "Confidence in Motion" Subaru, while through the "car making sure" to deliver "enjoyment and peace of mind", FHI, we aim to expand the Subaru fan. It is part of that commitment to one make race "GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race" at this time.

Major equipment - SUBARU BRZ "RA Racing"]
Front / rear ventilated disc brakes
brake ducts, dedicated & dedicated brake back plate (with vehicles left and right front)
, Torsen LSD [limited-slip differential]
engine oil cooler, air-cooled
4-point seat belt certified (FIA ,) Exclusively designed for competition vehicles equipped * 3 & ??Anchor bolt mounting
point roll cage, 6) (with sidebar
Manual air conditioning) with (clean filter
, dedicated floor mat) vehicles equipped with seat driver / passenger (
front transport Hook & rear transport hook (with vehicle-Exclusively designed for competition)

For vehicle bodywork, this vehicle will be allowed registration.
Is different from the general vehicle vehicle warranty. At the time of participation, such as motor sports racing, both car and parts-based bodywork
warranty becomes invalid.
Note) *: the price increases by 31,500 yen including tax ()

2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS Race Car

Chevrolet unveiled their new race car for the 2013 NASCAR season: The Chevy SS. The new NASCAR race car closely resembles the all-new rear wheel drive V-8 Chevrolet SS performance sedan that will debut early next year.

The production version of the SS will be a rear-wheel drive mid-size sports sedan derived from the yet to be launched Holden VF Commodore and equipped with a V8 engine. In fact, we wouldn't be surprised if the two models are the same in every aspect except the badges.

The stock car SS reveals what we expect to be a very close copy of the production model’s front-end and taillights. A limited production version of the Chevy SS will arrive in showrooms late next year as a 2014 model. The SS marks the first time that Chevy has offered a rear-wheel drive sedan in the United States.



Press Release

2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS Unveiled

Will Debut at the 2013 Daytona SpeedWeeks in February

LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet today opened a new chapter in its storied racing history, unveiling its eagerly anticipated 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS race car. Powered by the legendary small block V-8 engine, the rear-wheel drive performance sedan will be Chevrolet’s newest entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, beginning with the 2013 SpeedWeeks in Daytona, Fla.

The new NASCAR race car closely resembles the all-new rear wheel drive V-8 Chevrolet SS performance sedan that will debut early next year.

“As a passionate race fan, the debut of the SS NASCAR race car is a genuinely exciting moment for me,” said GM North America President Mark Reuss. “With the SS, Chevrolet is delivering a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR race car that is very closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale, ensuring that our most loyal enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the same thrill every day on the open road that our race car drivers enjoy on the track on race day.

“The Chevrolet SS also demonstrates how we are able to leverage our global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience,” Reuss said. “The specialized development and testing work done for the race car will certainly benefit the entire Chevrolet product lineup.”

The Chevrolet SS is the next in a long line of famed nameplates that Chevrolet has campaigned in NASCAR. It replaces Impala, which scored 151 wins from 1959-64 and 2007-12.

“We are looking forward to another exciting year of NASCAR competition and expect that the new SS race car, with some of the most skilled drivers on the circuit behind the wheel, will distinguish itself on the track,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.

The Chevrolet SS will be a derivative of the award-winning global rear-wheel-drive architecture that spawns performance vehicles like Chevrolet Camaro and Holden’s upcoming VF Commodore. The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS will be a 2014 model and will arrive in dealer showrooms in late 2013. It is the first time in 17 years that Chevrolet will offer a rear-wheel-drive sedan for sale in the United States.

Chevrolet has long used the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates. The SS designation first appeared in 1957 on a Corvette prototype race car built under the guidance of Zora Arkus-Duntov with the plan to enter it in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

The first production vehicle to be offered with an SS optional package was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades, which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires. The SS designation returned to the Chevrolet lineup in 2010 with the debut of the fifth-generation Camaro.

Chevrolet has 702 victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, more than any other manufacturer. Fonty Flock earned the manufacturer’s first win on March 26, 1955, at Columbia, S.C. Five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson achieved Chevrolet’s 700th victory earlier this month at Texas Motor Speedway.

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States. The addition of the SS to the lineup is expected to further strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand.

Lexus IS F CCS-R Race Car

Lexus has reveals the IS F CCS-R race car, ahead of its debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 8, 2012

The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is an annual automobile and motorcycle hillclimb to the top of the Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado. The track measures 12.42 miles with over 156 turns and climbs 4,720 feet.

The car overall weight is 693 lbs. lighter than the stock model thanks to lightweight doors, exterior and interior carbon fiber parts, lightweight bucket seats and other .

the Pikes Peak version is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine developing 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight-speed transmission and a limited-slip diff at the back. That combined with the lightweight body should make it a helluva lot faster than the base car.

Inside, the car is also stripped down to cut weight. The dashboard is replaced with carbon fiber, and there are lightweight seats. In total, it weighs in at 3,087 lbs, which is 693 fewer than the production version.





Press Release

Lexus IS F CCS-R Race Car

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 107.5 in.
Overall Length 187.4 in.
Overall Width 71.5 in.
Overall Height 54.5 in.

WEIGHT
Curb Weight 3,087 lbs. or less (693 lbs. less than stock)

ENGINE
Designation 2UR-GSE
Displacement 5.0L
Horsepower 416 @ 6,600 rpm
Torque 371 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm
Fuel system SFI D-4 direct-to-cylinder injection with secondary port injectors

DRIVETRAIN
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive system
Transmission 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shift and manual mode

EXTERIOR
Orange mica exterior paint
Reinforced monocoque (with roll cage)
Carbon fiber hood, door handles, front fender, front spoiler, front canard, rear spoiler, ventilator
Polycarbonate windows
Lightweight door

WHEELS/TIRES

SSR
18x8.5J, off-set 30 front
18x9.5J, off-set 40 rear
Yokohama /ADVAN NEOVA A050 tires
245/40 R18 front
255/40 R18 rear

BRAKES
Brake cooling system
Racing brake kit
Stainless steel mesh brake hose

SUSPENSION
Adjustable camber front upper arm
Modified race suspension
Reinforced bushings and mounts

EXHAUST
Racing exhaust system
OTHER MECHANICAL
Engine oil cooler
Transmission oil cooler
Differential oil cooler
Mechanical LSD

RACING EQUIPMENT
120L fuel cell
Air jack system
Fire extinguishing system
Data logger
Kill switch
Tow strap

INTERIOR
Carbon fiber dashboard, center console, door and interior trim
HANS compatible full bucket driver's seat
Lightened interior (delete power windows, door locks, rear seats, roof lining, etc.)
Six-point seat belt
Small-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifters

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution

Mitsubishi released details for the i-MiEV Evolution, ahead of its racing debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

First, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution utilizes the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i. Moreover, it was developed in order to showcase Mitsubishi’s advanced EV control and EV component technologies.

The i-MiEV Evolution is a purpose-built closed-cockpit all-wheel-drive single-seater built on a tube-frame chassis with a carbon-fiber cowl. Mitsubishi said the prototype racer will use many of the same EV drive components as the production i-MiEV, which is sold in the U.S. as the Mitsubishi i.

The i-MiEV evolution uses three electric motors: one for the front two wheels, and two for each rear wheel. Pair this all-wheel drive with the car’s light-weight aerodynamic body and you can see how serious Mitsubishi is taking this event.

The three motors produce 240 kW (322 horsepower) directly to the 245/40R18 tires. The standard i-MiEV rides on super skinny 145/65R15 tires up front and 175/60R15 out back and only produces 49 kW (66 hp).



Press Release


MITSUBISHI MOTORS' 2012 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB TEAM & ALL-NEW ALL-ELECTRIC RACECAR ANNOUNCE i-MiEV EVOLUTION TO TACKLE PIKE SPEAK


Tokyo, May 18, 2012 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb1. MMC will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the i all-electric vehicle2. MMC is also entering a regular production i in the event.


Enter the i-MiEV Evolution The i-MiEV Evolution uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i and has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation. The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed to showcase MMC's advanced EV control and EV component technologies. MMC will use the technical knowhow garnered through the i-MiEVEvolution's development and usage for the development of future EV models with superior durability and reliability.


All-pro Team Driving the i-MiEV Evolution in the Pikes Peak event and also serving as team manager will be Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka - the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the Dakar Rally. The Mitsubishi i will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.


1. Mitsubishi Motors 2012 Pikes Peak Challenge Team


Team Manager Hiroshi Masuoka Drivers Hiroshi Masuoka Beccy Gordon Competition Cars i-MiEV Evolution Mitsubishi i (i-MiEV in other countries) Racing class Electric Class


2. Outline Description of Cars Entered for Pikes Peak


(1) i-MiEV Evolution Developed for the Pikes Peak event, the i-MiEV Evolution basically uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV fitted to a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl among other features designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic performance. Comprising a single motor driving the front and two motors driving the rear wheels, the car's four-wheel-drive system provides superior motive performance and handling.


L x W x H (mm) 4341 x 1900 x 1339 Occupants 1 Drivetrain 4-wheel drive Motors Number 3 (1 front, 2 rear) Max. output (kW) 240 (80 kW x 3) Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 35 Chassis Specially-designed tube frame Cowl Carbon fibre Tyres 245/40R18 (2) Mitsubishi i


For the Pikes Peak event the production Mitsubishi i has been modified using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.


The Mitsubishi i went on sale on the west coast of the United States (in the states of California, Washington and Oregon) and in Hawaii in November 2011 with plans to expand sales to the whole of the country by June 2012. The i also went on sale in Canada as the i-MiEV in December 2011, marking its full-scale launch targeting corporate and individual customers in the North American market.


L x W x H (mm) 3675 (+280) x 1585 (+110) x 1615 (+5) Occupants 4 Drivetrain Rear wheel drive Motors Number 1 Max. output (kW/rpm) 49 (+2) / 3,000 - 6,000 Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 16 Tyres F: 145/65/R15 R: 175/60 (+5)/R15 3. Driver Profiles


(1) Hiroshi Masuoka (Product Strategy Office, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation)


Hiroshi Masuoka began his Dakar Rally campaign in 1987 and became the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the event when he won in 2002 and 2003. Currently Masuoka works at Mitsubishi Motors where his many duties include vehicle development, the training of company test drivers and the running of test drive sessions and other events both in Japan and overseas. Masuoka had the following to say before the event: "Given the tough driving conditions that Pikes Peak is known for, I'm really keen to show people the world over those electric vehicles are capable of gutsy motive performance and excellent handling in addition to their superior environmental performance."


(2) Beccy Gordon


Beccy Gordon is an American off-road racer. She grew up in a family in which her father, brother and sister have all been successful racing drivers, as is her husband today. Gordon herself is an experienced driver having raced in a wide spectrum of motor sports and she is also a motorsport spokesperson. Gordon commented before the event: "I'm really happy to be able to drive the Mitsubishi i in the Pikes Peak race and am looking forward to giving it my best in an electric car, the type of vehicle that is set to become a major player in motor sports in future."


4. Partner Companies (20 in all, listed in alphabetical order)


Advics Co., Ltd. Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd. Endless Advance Co., Ltd. Enkei Corporation GKN Driveline Japan Ltd. GS Yuasa Corporation Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. HKS Co., Ltd. Meidensha Corporation Mikuni Corp. Mitsubishi Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mitsubishi Motor Dealers Association NHK Spring Co., Ltd. NipponYusen Kabushiki Kaisha NTN Corporation Showa Corporation Toray Industries, Inc. Tsuchiya Co., Ltd.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro Hybrid Le Mans Prototype

Audi has unveiled the new R18 e-tron quattro racer. which will make its debut on May 5th in the 6-hour World Endurance Championship (WEC) race at Spa-Francorchamps and onward to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 16/17.

The R18 e-tron quattro will unite two major technologies in order to create a new type of drive by combining their highly-efficient TDI engine with a hybrid system.

The diesel engine in this car is tiny compared to the previous car’s engine. It’s a V6 TDI power plant producing 375 kW (510 hp) which powers the rear wheels. Kinetic energy is then recovered on the front axle during the braking phase. It is fed as electric into a flywheel accumulator before being retrieved under acceleration again above a speed of 120 km/h. During this procedure only the front axle is integrated.

Audi Sport developed the Audi R18 ultra in parallel to the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the 2012 model year Audi R18 is built with and without hybrid drive. The trick: the base of both cars is completely identical, which is why the additional logistical effort is kept limited for Audi Sport and the race team.

The R18 e-tron, which will also race in the new FIA World Endurance Championship, becomes a four-wheel-drive car within certain limits laid down in the Le Mans rulebook. The regulations allow 500kJ (approximately 70bhp) of stored energy to be transfered to the wheels between two braking 'events' at speeds above 120km/h (75mph).




Press Release

Audi brings the quattro back to the race track

• World premiere in Munich: the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro

• Four-wheel driven diesel hybrid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

• Audi ultra lightweight as base for the application of hybrid technology

Motor sport is used yet again by AUDI AG to pioneer new technology: the brand with the four ring's new Le Mans race car is the world's first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI with a hybrid system. quattro drive also celebrates its comeback to the race track with the prototype - in a entirely new form.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the name of the new Le Mans prototype that makes its race debut on May 5 in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and fights for overall victory at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) on June 16/17. Audi unites two technologies in a fascinating way to create a new type of drive, which is also already being tested for future use in production cars: e-tron quattro.

Hiding behind this description is the next generation four-wheel drive with which Audi combines the advantages of the proven quattro drive with the potential of electromobility. To this end one vehicle axle is powered conventionally, the second by electric motors.

"Audi has always consciously selected championships and categories in racing that have a close relationship to production and therefore have technical relevance for the Audi customers," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who personally drove the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro onto the stage on Wednesday evening during its world premiere in the Audi Training Center at Munich airport - electrically and almost silent. "quattro, TFSI and TDI are three excellent examples of how motorsport has stimulated production development. A similar tendency is apparent with the e-tron quattro: we test a completely new technology on the race track before it's introduced to the Audi production line."

On the Audi R18 e-tron quattro kinetic energy is recovered on the front axle during the braking phase. It is fed as electric into a flywheel accumulator before being retrieved under acceleration again above a speed of 120 km/h. During this procedure only the front axle is integrated. The V6 TDI power plant producing 375 kW (510 hp) continues to transmit its power to the rear wheels. Both systems complement each other to create the new drive principle e-tron quattro.

Project began in February 2010

The project e-tron quattro for motorsport started in February 2010. Only 18 months passed from the initial conceptual ideas to the first test. "This is a relatively short cycle for a technology that has never been tested in motorsport and which still doesn't even exist in production," stresses Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. "The challenge is correspondingly big."

Audi Sport developed the Audi R18 ultra in parallel to the Audi R18 e-tron quattro - because Audi takes a two-pronged approach this year in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) - the 2012 model year Audi R18 is built with and without hybrid drive. The trick: the base of both cars is completely identical, which is why the additional logistical effort is kept limited for Audi Sport and the race team.

"The TDI engine invented by Audi is still the most efficient drive in the world," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "We are convinced that the TDI has even more potential. This is why Audi not only supports the hybrid in motorsport as it does in production, but in parallel also the further development of the conventional drive."

Innovation in transmission area

The R18 e-tron quattro's twin brother more than lives up to its model name ‘R18 ultra': it is the lightest Le Mans prototype that Audi Sport has ever built. To compensate for the additional weight of the hybrid system the subject of lightweight design and construction was the focus throughout development of the 2011 Le Mans race winning R18 TDI. In addition to the many detail optimizations there is also a genuine innovation in the transmission area: a new gearbox with a carbon-fiber composite housing was developed for the R18 - a premiere for endurance racing.

"The new R18 ultra is a distinct evolution of last year's Le Mans race winning car," summarizes Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "Our drivers' impressions were very positive from the first moment. Without the weight optimized R18 ultra we would have not been capable of realizing the R18 e-tron quattro which is absolutely identical with the exception of the hybrid system."

Le Mans 2012: two R18 e-tron quattro and two R18 ultra

Audi Sport Team Joest will field two R18 e-tron quattro and two R18 ultra prototypes in the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 16/17. The two hybrid cars are driven by last year's winning trio Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) as well as Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB) who boast a total of 13 Le Mans wins between them. New signing Loïc Duval (F) starts together with Timo Bernhard (D) and Romain Dumas (F) in an R18 ultra as do Marco Bonanomi (I), Oliver Jarvis (GB) and Mike Rockenfeller (D).

Audi Sport Team Joest also contests the World Championship round at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 5 in the same formation. At the same time the race doubles as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only Mike Rockenfeller will miss this race due to a clashing date with the DTM.

After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi plans to enter an R18 e-tron quattro and an R18 ultra in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). André Lotterer and Allan McNish have been nominated as the drivers so far.

At the World Championship opener at Sebring (USA) on March 17, Audi Sport Team Joest relies on the proven R18 TDI from last year, which are driven by Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer, Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish as well as Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Loïc Duval.

Citroen DS4 Racing Concept

Citroen has releases photos and details for the DS4 Racing Concept ,which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in next month.

The concept car is based on the current DS4 five-door with a long list of modifications that showcases the brand’s success and expertise as a World Rally Championship competitor.

Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. In the regular DS4 this engine is tuned to develop as much as 200 horsepower but in DS4 Racing guise it now spits out a total 256 horsepower.

The engine was developed jointly by PSA Peugeot-Citroen and BMW, and it is widely used in each brand’s lineup. It powers the MINI Cooper, the Peugeot RCZ, and even the Citroen DS3 Racing, just to name a few.

The suspension has been substantially uprated to deal with the power hike - a 35mm drop all-round - and a wider front and rear track. These changes complement the 19-inch wheels that are fitted to the concept, housing the huge 380mm brake discs and four-pot callipers.

The DS4 may seem to be an unlikely basis for a hot hatch, being simply a more luxurious take on the rather bland C4 compact. It’s a five-door which tries to look like a three-door crossover, with hidden rear door handles and fixed rear side windows. It also is jacked up to sit higher than the C4.




Press Release

Citroën has sold more than 180,000 DS line models worldwide since launch. The adventure continues at the Geneva Motor Show with the reveal of the DS4 Racing Concept. As with the DS3 Racing, the engineers at Citroën Racing and the styling team have firmly stamped the DS4 with the image of the Brand's racing department.

Making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the DS4 Racing Concept features "100% Racing" attributes. The chassis is 35 mm lower than the regular model and track is 55 mm wider at the front and 75 mm wider at the back. The concept car also sports an air diffuser, a front bumper panel, a lower-body belt line and wing extensions. Citroën Racing has tweaked the 1.6-litre turbo engine to develop 256 bhp, or 160 bhp per litre - a record for a series-production car. This spectacular performance comes hand in hand with controlled CO2 emissions of 155 g/km.

Citroën Racing engineers have also redeveloped the running gear with the utmost precision. The concept car is equipped with four-pot, fixed calliper brakes at the front, with special discs widened to 380 mm in diameter, and shod with larger, 19-inch wheels (235/40).

Another stand-out feature of the Citroën DS4 Racing Concept is its matte grey, textured-effect paint - a first in the automotive sector. The grain of the paint catches the light differently and further enhances the body styling, while the colour is sober, modern and robust and ideally suited to a sports car. To refine the exterior aesthetic, the concept car gets a two-tone roof and specially-designed, two-tone wheel rims.

2012 MINI Cooper B-Spec race car

MINI USA has releases the 2012 Cooper B-Spec race car. The 2012 Cooper B-Spec race car delivers 121 horsepower with total weight at 2,535 lbs.

Powered by a 121 hp unit and weighing in at 2,535 lbs, the MINIs are fitted with Carbotech brake pads and stainless steel hoses, a KW V1 coilover suspension kit and Vorshlag front camber plates, while the wheels used are 7×15-inch 15 x 7 Kosei K1 items wrapped in Hoosier SM6 205/50 rubber.

MINI isn’t quoting prices for the conversion package or for completed cars just yet, and it doesn’t say exactly when the cars will be available. It has announced a contingency program for all four sanctioning series, so the automaker will actually pay drivers who earn a podium finish.

MINI of Charlestone offers either a complete turn-key car or can upgrade your 2007-2012 MINI Coopers. We have to tell you that next year the SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge bodies will all host B-Spec events.




Press Release


MINI COOPER HARDTOP TO ENTER B-SPEC RACE SERIES FOR 2012

MINI USA and MINI of Charleston to build and sell turn-key MINI race cars

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 http://www.miniusa.com/#/miniRacing

"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)