Details on MINI’s R56 JCW Challenge Racer

Sections: JCW | Motorsports | R56 (Coupe) Jun 27th, 2007

MF Exclusive: MotoringFile has learned that MINI plans to debut the 2008 MINI Challenge race car later this fall as a factory spec racer. That means the Challenge car won’t just be available to select racing teams as previously but sold to anyone with a thick checkbook in hand. This is great news to would-be MINI racers from around the world looking for the ultimate turn-key MINI. It’s also great news for those looking at hints for the next JCW MINI. But more on that later.

This news had been rumored since the fall of 2006 when none other than Phil Wicks dropped on the bomb on a Whiteroodradio episode. However before this past weekend there was no officially confirmation on the plan. And we still won’t have many details until the fall of this year. However the one thing we do know is that this new turn-key racer won’t be cheap. For instance, if the car is sold in the US we’d expect pricing in the ballpark of $45,000. And due to the nature of the car, it may be forced to compete against some pretty stiff competition in unlimited categories on many race tracks. Thus the idea of a MINI Challenge series in each country where the car is sold would seemingly be one of the keys to it’s success.

The new Challenge car will look the business too. Expect the car to feature a revised R56 JCW aero-kit (with working brake-ducts rather than foglights) and a GP-like rear wing. Inside the car will feature a full-rollcage and all the usual weight saving deletions found in the current MINI Challenge car.

But it gets better. MotoringFile has also learned that this new Challenge MINI race car will give a sneak peak at the upcoming JCW factory car due out most likely as a 2009 model. During our recent interview with Dr. Kay Segler, he dropped a sizable hint that the heart of the new racer car will also be the heart of a future JCW product. Specifically we can expect engine modifications to mirror what will be available from the factory JCW car aka the “Stage II” that has been rumored on MotoringFile since 2006.

Also in the interview Dr. Segler mentioned that the JCW GP will be the highest horsepower road legal MINI (not necessarily the fastest) for some time to come.

From these two statements we can infer a couple things. First off, yes MINI is indeed working on a “stage II” JCW vehicle for launch later in the R56 product cycle. Something faster than the current dealer installed kit and something with more power than the JCW GP. Secondly we can estimate that the car will feature a version of the same power-plant found in the new Challenge car.

Look for the MINI Challenge race car to debut this fall along with a host of technical details and hints as to what is to come for the road. And be sure to check out our this recent interview with Dr. Kay Segler to hear some of this news first hand.

Written By: Gabe

24 Comments

TSizemore3 Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Lets see… 2009 is when I’ll start shopping for a new MINI, JCW stage II cars should be coming out around then… Things are starting to look interesting… gotta start saving up now!

eager2own Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Put that JCW stage II in the new 09 cabrio, and I’m game

Jon Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Very interesting interview with Dr. Kay, can’t wait to see the specs on the spec racer motor to get a view of the future factory JCW. Really looking forward to seeing what information get released this year. A exciting time all in all for the Mini brand.

GZ Jun 27th, 2007 Link

While the stage 2 JCW is exciting, the “racer” holds no interest to me. Sounds like it will be kinda gaudy looking vs. a more subtle menace of a JCW badge or two on an MCS. I’m even “iffy” on ordering the current JCW aero kit.

zack Jun 27th, 2007 Link

thanks gabe.

i’ll second (or third or fourth) waiting for ‘09 per previous comments:

-to get my hands on the high HP version

-and hopefully better looks than the current r56 jcw aero package (front bumper is cool, back bumper is hideous)

Nigel Jun 27th, 2007 Link

50th anniversary factory JCW MCS. That is the one to go after in ‘09….

robble Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Nice, my 07 is on a 2 year lease.

gokartride Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Very cool for folks longing to participate in the MINI Challenge, and very cool for those who want to drive a full-race MINI!!!! I suggest those involved in designing MINI graphics brace themselves!!!

pbraun Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Oh, hmmmm, so does that mean the MINI Challenge might be a possibility in the USA and CANADA?

Chester Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Here is a question…

Do the MINI Challenge cars have airbags and such? You say that this will be the most horse power in a street legal MINI but if it does not have all the safety bells and whistles how can it be sold in the USA as a street legal car?

Gabe Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Do the MINI Challenge cars have airbags and such? You say that this will be the most horse power in a street legal MINI but if it does not have all the safety bells and whistles how can it be sold in the USA as a street legal car?

It does not have any airbags and thus has no chance of ever being street legal in the US. However that doesn’t mean it still can’t be sold.

chris Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Yup, the Australian 2008 MINI Challenge has just been announced. Can’t wait.

Ken Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Gabe: As a 2009 JCW MINI are you saying that in the US it would be available to order in the Sept.- Nov. timeframe?

Ken Jun 27th, 2007 Link

To clariy my question above I meant Sept - Nov 2008.

Gabe Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Gabe: As a 2009 JCW MINI are you saying that in the US it would be available to order in the Sept.- Nov. timeframe?

Unfortunately I’m not able to say anything else that isn’t in the article above. Will the race car be sold in the US? I don’t know. When will the street car (based on the race car) be available? I don’t know. Sorry.

Greg W Jun 27th, 2007 Link

At US$45000 this is cheap. The New Zealand MINI Challenge cars cost around US$52500 for the 2006/07 season.
They can’t have air bags in these race cars as there is a JCW racing seat and racing steering wheel.
They are basically S models with JCW kits on them. No further mods are allowed.
This makes the cars only competitive against themselves. As a comparison, at the Pukekohe Race Circuit, these cars were lapping slower than the fastest old Classic Mini 1380cc racing car.
If MINI wants to be competitive against other Japanese and European cars, they will have to come up with something really competitive for open and mixed class racing. I can’t see another Monte Carlo Rally win on the horizon.

saakey Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Grrrrrr… All i can say is I’ll thoroughly disappointed if they do not bring it to the US… I know I’d buy one!

Ken Jun 27th, 2007 Link

Thanks Gabe. I wonder if they might be named the JCW Challenge Series MINIs if/when they are released in the US.

MINI Challenge 2008 - Page 2 - MINI2 Jun 27th, 2007 Link

[...] MotoringFile » Archive » Details on MINI’s R56 JCW Challange Racer Could be the cars mentioned in this link. [...]

robble Jun 27th, 2007 Link

I canâ€™t see another Monte Carlo Rally win on the horizon.

I’m pretty sure that has been uttered 3 times before…

Roccorocket Jun 27th, 2007 Link

While the stage 2 JCW is exciting, the “racer” holds no interest to me. Sounds like it will be kinda gaudy looking vs. a more subtle menace of a JCW badge or two on an MCS. Iâ€™m even “iffy” on ordering the current JCW aero kit

The “Racer” is intended for racing not car shows or street.

Eelke Jun 28th, 2007 Link

Also in the interview Dr. Segler mentioned that the JCW GP will be the highest horsepower road legal MINI (not necessarily the fastest) for some time to come.

If this is true, the following doesn’t make much sense to me:

From these two statements we can infer a couple things. First off, yes MINI is indeed working on a “stage II” JCW vehicle for launch later in the R56 product cycle. Something faster than the current dealer installed kit and something with more power than the JCW GP.

Now, the “some time to come” mentioned by Dr. Siegler could of course end as soon as the stage 2 car is released, but I fail to see how his statement supports the latter assessment. I’d say it harms it, if anything…

Gabe Jun 28th, 2007 Link

Now, the “some time to come” mentioned by Dr. Siegler could of course end as soon as the stage 2 car is released, but I fail to see how his statement supports the latter assessment. Iâ€™d say it harms it, if anythingâ€¦

He’s basically saying that the BHP figure won’t be eclipsed until this new car comes out.

MotoringFile » Archive » MINI’s New JCW Challenge Race Car Aug 14th, 2007 Link

[...] [ Details on MINI’s 2008 JCW Challenge Race Car ] [...]

The Fine Print

MotoringFile reserves the right to edit or delete any post for any reason. Derogatory comments of any kind will not be tolerated.

HTML Formatting Tips

To make something bold: <strong>Text to bold</strong>

To make something italic: <em>Text to italicize</em>

To make a hyperlink: <a href="URL">Text to link</a>

To quote something previously said, you can use <blockquote>text</blockquote>

Markdown Formatting Tips (advanced)

MotoringFile also allows use of Markdown formatting in the comment section. This accomplishes the same formatting as HTML but is typically easy to use.

_your text_ → your text

your text → your text

`my code` → `my code`

* Bulleted list
* Second item → • Bulleted list
• Second item

1. Numbered list
1. Second item → 1. Numbered list
2. Second item

[link name](URL) → link name

*** → Horizontal ruler

<http://url>
<email@add.com> → Auto-linked

![Alt text](URL) → Image

← MINI United Interview: Dr. Kay Segler MU Interview: MINI Challenge Points Leader →