Clutch has a setup that is pretty close to a TCR race car setup. They run a tire slightly larger then 245 on 10x18 wheels. The MINI Clubman would be eligible for that series (has to be a 4 or 5 door car), but BMW has not backed it (won’t back it?) for that series.

 

Got the information, that my "end of April" turns into the end of July, which could also mean the beginning of September. FU
The reason, they produce only GP`s with AC touring package, the last run are those which then get stripped production goes into September FU
On the other hand, I will have one of the few, which will be more unique, my testing May however lost FU
There is for me one interesting point on the stripped models. The AC considers evaporator and condenser, both part of modules, do you think they take them out and strip them by hand?

 

I wonder if this impacts the U.S. market? I have not received any information from mini or my dealer regarding my order. Mini seems to have a bizarre marketing strategy that really antagonizes and infuriates their customer base. I have considered skipping the mini several times and ordering a 2 series BMW customized to my preferences. More money, but also a better automobile. I will wait until the end of March and if I don't have any information with a confirmed date I will most likely cancel my order, and go with the BMW.

 

Opinions are great .... it's what we all are on here expressing in this thread.... as I've yet to see a consumer with a GP3 under-foot...soon to change I know.
Exactly like your opinions posted here also.

MINI will not be getting any money from me on the GP3... I had the opportunity to get a 'GP3 slot' at our local dealer though work contacts.... I passed on it... For ME the GP3 aesthetically, and because of lack of manual-transmission does not pique my interest.... A 2021 JCW 6-speed-manual is what I'm hoping for....It will have all the looks and hopefully all the performance that I need. Mid season 6-speeds will be cool... let see if Getrag/etc can make one to handle, reliably, the 301hp and torque curve of this potent little mill and they put it in the 3-door hardtop

I would be interested in a back to back comparison... same car, same wheels, same brand/model/spec and profile-series track comparison between 225's and 245's on the same day.... That would be a fair comparison to see if pushing the tire contact patch will, or will not, improve overall performance on this platform. There does exist a 'tipping point' where adding more tread-width to a given car will diminish road/track holding abilities. I've yet to see anyone do this very test on any MINI R or F series (specifically).. but I admit I could have missed it and would enjoy a link to that info...

Of course, race-only then we get into day-specific and/or condition-specific tire & wheel choices for pure-racing... where compound, tread or slick, wheel and/or tire diameter ...and multitude of other variable (like tread-width)... where there are a variety of tire setups and other variables available throughout a race-day.



To all that have their GP's on order... Please keep us in the loop when it arrives, brag a bit with photos!!.... and keep the the great ideas and speculation flowing... great thread !


For me and my tastes..that rear 'wing' would be the first to go on this car if someone gave it to me.











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This is the direction that I wish that MINI ..... STRESS MINI here.... would go.

The GP3 car is, certainly, much better performing than the GP1... but it is much larger... and approaching the BMW 1 series.

Give us a MINI GP-A ALL4 or something like that....
250-300 HP, turbo, AWD with LSD, 6 speed etc.... a MINI.... Not a "MAXI"

I agree with many above.... If I wanted something about this size .... I'd rather go with a BMW 2 series comp coupe or Audi TTS than the GP3....Wheelbase 99 compared to 105 inches for the Bmmr..... and about the same on the TTS.... I wonder how much to invest in the GP3 to get it to track as well as these cars?


BUT.... I'd rather have a TRUE MINI-sized car... Like this YARIS-GR4... which shows that a smaller, stellar-performance car is possible. Cant wait till our European friends can match stock for stock GP3's against this GR4. Reminds me of the spirit of the R5 Renault Turbo .

Irony abounds as Toyota and BMW often see each other in the morning for Coffee these days .

C'mon MINI...

Give us a MINI again !!!

Just my rambling as I wait for my plane.












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- With the Perfomance pack.

 

Thanks for the information on the Yaris, I have only had one Toyota and it was a good vehicle, but did not light my fire. The Yaris shows some promise, but I will wait and see how it does.

 

Interesting info on the Yaris GR-4. Very interesting. And if we're facing a delay in MINI GP3 delivery, depending on how long, I might be tempted to test drive a GR-4 when they become available. I did a quick search though and was surprised to find that the GR-4 is a longer car than the GP3 (despite weighing a hell of lot less)! 157.3" vs 152.7". At the end of the day I'm going to drive something small, nimble, and fast, but since I live in a city, it's *really* nice being able to find downtown parking spots that no one else can fit into, and the four and half inch difference would affect that.

But I agree 100% with other posters... give us a smaller MINI again!

 

Wow
I didn't realize the GR-4 was that much bigger than the standard Yaris

Still want a MINI mini tho...

Yaris GR4

Wheelbase: 101 inches

Track width: 60 inches

Overall length: 157 inches

Weight: 2822 lbs

Mini GP3

Wheelbase: 98 inches

Track width: 63 inches

Overall Length: 153 inches

Weight: 3300 lbs


This is the kicker for the yaris tho....

 

The Yaris GR won't be coming to the US

 

You are correct sir !



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The GP 3 should weigh no more the the current JCW, which is just over 2800 lbs. that would put it at the same weight as the Yaris. But that is all academic give the Yaris isn’t coming to the states.

 

MINI website has the 2020 JCW hardtop curbweight at 3,770lbs (the GP would be a little less)

https://www.miniusa.com/model/john-c...top/specs.html



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Mini website needs to be fixed. They listed the gross weight as curb weight .. can’t imagine a Mini Cooper hatchback being 3700 pounds

 

The Yaris GR4 is 2800 curb weight.... but they also have things like a CF roof etc...

Our European brothers and sisters on this thread will be able to get a good compare of these two cars... and the price tag should be similar for either.
Too bad the GR4 has the AWD advantage.

I think the BMW/Toyota ties (hence MINI) may be interesting in the future.

If the JCW clubman can get the ALL4... no reason the Hardtop hatch shouldn't get it too !

That BMW/Toyota AWD/LSD 6-speed-manual trans would go nicely in a JCW 2 door hatch !!

All of this makes me want to keep my mint-condition built R56 with all the JCW/GP bits on it and enjoy it even more.... a new high output 1.8 fully forged engine with useable street-tune is less than the drive-off depreciation on these cars alone.... Sheesh !


Exciting times !!



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The measured weight of a F56 JCW
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4497031

The MINI web site (now gone) for my 2019 JCW listed its weight as 2845#.

I really hope MINI hasn’t porked out the car by almost a 1000 lbs over the past year.

 

Sincere question:

What is MINIS definition of "curb" weight and how does it relate to actual weight of the car ready to drive on the street?



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Isn't that car in the link an auto X car with LW battery at 2740 LBS ?

The car is even more stripped out than a GP3?














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4WD F56
Horse here you can see a 4WD F56

Note the profiled control arms, lower drag you know.

 

My 2019 Mini JCW Manual 6-Speed with a... 21# Braile Battery...Lighter NM ENG Exhaust...NM Eng Wheels weights in at 2740#s (1780 Front, 960 Rear) and with MarioKart Tune and 17% E85 Fuel on top of 93 Octane is running at least 270-275hp. It BURIES the sport mode HP/Torque Display at 240hp and 320 Torque. It is running 21-22 psi of boost at full throttle.

Basically a 9.95-10.0 Power to Weight Ratio.

 

Thats an awesome pic ! (hope the driver was ok though).

I'm noticing the custom hood/roof mods in progress too .

Now... lets get MINI-factory to make and AWD 2 door hatch hardtop for the consumers... with 6-sp. and we'll have a WINNER imo.


Who's car was that? .... any AWD stuff is obscured in the photo ... but would love to get some details on the car.



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XITE Racing, driving Oliver Bennett. Amazing car, something like 450 hp if I recall. The AWD launches are fantastic to see. I believe it's a fully scratch-built race car, possibly using a F56 shell. Not much in common with our cars!

https://www.facebook.com/XiteRacing/

 

Cool!

 

All. you need is a horse and 4 shoes