Mini USA has teamed with Mini of Charleston dealership to create a B-Spec racing edition based on the MINI Cooper. The new MINI Cooper B-Spec racer will be available at the start of the 2012 season
The car made its official debut last week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
MINI of Charleston plans to begin building and selling turnkey B-Spec racecars early next year and will also offer conversion kits to owners of older cars.
All four of the major racing sanctioning bodies — SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge — will host B-Spec races in 2012. The MINI racecar will be joining cars such as the Ford Fiesta, the Honda Fit, the Mazda2, the Toyota Yaris and the Kia Rio. MINI will expand its contingency program to include payouts next year to sanctioned B-Spec race teams with podium finishes.
Only MINI Cooper hardtops are eligible for B-Spec competition, so Convertible, Cooper S or John Cooper Works models need not apply.
All MINI Cooper B-Spec models use the 1.6 liter four-cylinder stock engine which makes 121 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The cars are equipped with a KW coilover suspension, stock brakes with Carbotech pads and braided stainless lines, 15-inch Kosei wheels shod with series-specified Hoosier tires, a complete roll cage, Kirkey road racing seat and Schroth Hybrid III harnesses, a cage net and a window net.
MINI has yet to release the pricing details and availability date.
