Originally from EVO:

The John Cooper Challenge, which provides racing, sprints and hillclimbs featuring the new Mini, will continue virtually unchanged in 2003. And for those who who want even more competition, there's also a new series that concentrates solely on circuit racing.

The John Cooper Trophy will be contested over eight rounds at major UK race circuits. The Trophy car will differ from the 120bhp Challenge cars by having cut slicks, a plumbed-in extinguisher, braided brake hoses, a strut brace and uprated brake callipers and pads plus cooling ducts.

The full package of road-legal Mini racer and entrance fees for all eight races is £24,995. More than 90 per cent of Cooper Challenge veterans are expected to upgrade to the Trophy series, so with a total of 28 places available only seven new Trophy cars will need to be built; the rest will be simply upgraded from Challenge spec.

In 2004 the Cooper S will form the basis of a new flagship John Cooper race series.