| 2004 North American Mini Challenge |
|
|
 The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and North American Bavarian Racing (NABR) are pleased to announce the North American MINI Challenge beginning in 2004. This program has been in planning for a year and finally a set of components have been gathered and tested for the Cooper and Cooper S that meet the goals for the series. The goal was to create a specification for a Cooper that would have good on track performance characteristics while maintaining the ability to be used on the street for daily use and keeping the costs for the modifications contained to the $5,000 range. The Cooper S is allowed additional modifications that raise its total modification cost to the $8,000 range. All dollar estimates are exclusive of installation costs.
We have been able to define a package that meets all the goals. If one makes all the allowable modifications to a Cooper, the component cost is approximately $4,600 and the Cooper S is approximately $7,600, exclusive of wheels. A complete list of the authorized modifications, specified components as well as series regulations and a few photos can be found here.
Track performance for the Cooper was recently measured at the NASA 25 Hour Endurance Race held December 6-7, 2003 at Thunderhill Raceway Park, in Willows, California. A Cooper S prepared to Grand-Am ST specifications had its best lap time of 2:08.9; A showroom stock Cooper from SCCA SSC has its best lap time of 2:20.2; A Cooper prepared to the MINI Challenge specification turned in its best lap time at 2:16.4. The drivers reported the MINI Challenge cars were very easy to drive, well balanced and predictable. Unfortunately, we did not have a MINI Challenge prepared Cooper S at the event to properly gauge it's relative performance.
The MINI Challenge modifications do not diminish the cars ability to be used comfortably for daily use. In fact, it is enhanced by aftermarket upgrades that will be added by many enthusiasts. The decals and the roll cage may be the only difference from many well prepared, street driven MINI's.
The tentative schedule for the California MINI Challenge has been announced with 8 weekends spread over 9 months at 6 different tracks in both Northern and Southern California. Each weekend will feature two races for a 16 race series with season championships in both classes. A schedule for the Arizona MINI Challenge will also be published soon. The MINI Challenge is not restricted to California and Arizona, indeed a MINI Challenge championship will be conducted in every NASA region where there are competitors. Sponsor awards, if any, may be restricted based upon participation levels.
To facilitate communications a mail list specific to MINIChallenge for discussion has been established, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MINIChallenge/, you may sign up for the mail list directly from http://northamericanbavarianracing.com/MINIChallenge.htm. Registration does require approval. After receiving approval you can simply send mail to MINIChallenge@YahooGroups.com to communicate with other drivers and the organizers.
Specific H-Sport components are required for both the Cooper and Cooper S classes. H-Sport is offering a purchase discount program for registered MINI Challenge competitors. Your registration on the MINIChallenge mail list plus your commitment to participate in the MINI Challenge, will register you for the H-Sport discount program.
We expect to finalize tire and wheel discussions in the next few weeks, certainly well before the first 2004 event. Future announcements will be made on the MINIChallenge mail list and the NABR web site.
The MINI Challenge is sanctioned by the National Auto Sport Association and is a product of North American Bavarian Racing. NASA Club Codes and Regulations (CCR's) and NABR MINI Challenge regulations apply to the series. NASA competition licenses are required for participation as well as NASA logbooks.
|
|
|
|
