MINI JCW Team...
#451
There's no place in IMSA for the MINIs in 2019, which is what prompted Luis and Company to switch to Honda in the TCR class. MINI won't build a TCR car, whether their decision or BMWs will remain a mystery, so they had to look elsewhere to continue to race in IMSA. There's the possibility that the MINIs they ran this year could race in the TC class in Pirelli World Challenge in 2019 in there current state, but nothing has been confirmed.
#452
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Yes, but aren't they starting over with Honda. Again, this has to do with factory support. MINI has had no support whatsoever. It's a shame. It seems that BMW has decided that for MINI to move forward, they have to get out of the sports, enthusiast mode and more towards the SUV, electronic gadget mode. I am buying my fourth MINI, but I see a decline of enthusiasts in the clubs and more of ," let's go for an ice cream or wine tasting trip". Ten years ago (N. CA), the club runs were really fun driving events (maybe borderline fast). Now I see eyelashes on the headlights.These people could care less about car racing. Sorry for the rant.
There's no place in IMSA for the MINIs in 2019, which is what prompted Luis and Company to switch to Honda in the TCR class. MINI won't build a TCR car, whether their decision or BMWs will remain a mystery, so they had to look elsewhere to continue to race in IMSA. There's the possibility that the MINIs they ran this year could race in the TC class in Pirelli World Challenge in 2019 in there current state, but nothing has been confirmed.
#453
#454
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The final standings are listed here:
https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/standings
MINI took first in the Manufactures standing’s. Mat Pombo and Mike Lamarra took Second in the Driver’s standings. #73 took second in the Team standings.
Love the car, by the way.
https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/standings
MINI took first in the Manufactures standing’s. Mat Pombo and Mike Lamarra took Second in the Driver’s standings. #73 took second in the Team standings.
Love the car, by the way.
#456
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Coopersrule (12-29-2018)
#457
The final standings are listed here:
https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/standings
MINI took first in the Manufactures standing’s. Mat Pombo and Mike Lamarra took Second in the Driver’s standings. #73 took second in the Team standings.
Love the car, by the way.
https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/standings
MINI took first in the Manufactures standing’s. Mat Pombo and Mike Lamarra took Second in the Driver’s standings. #73 took second in the Team standings.
Love the car, by the way.
2018 IMSA Coninental Tire Sportscar
Callenge Street Turner Class
Manufacturers’s Campionship
1. MINI
2. BMW
3. Porsche
4. Mazda
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Coopersrule (12-29-2018)
#459
#460
#462
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Just got my copy of the BMWCCA magazine, the “Roundel”. They have a great article about the Petit Le Mans, the MINI win there and a good summary of how well the MINIs did during this past season. It seems that they lament the passing of the MINI from racing, too. Don’t know if it is on line, but worth a read if anyone can find it.
#463
#464
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iTrader: (1)
2 great MINI pictures in that article!
How about the other picture with the 3 MINIs in a row (yes, the yellow one is in the back mostly hidden, but it is there)? Great shot.
When I opened this thread to make this post, it opened on the first page, first post, which showed the MINIs in the LAP garage, and it it reminded me of the pride to see that the MINIs would be racing. I’ll remember this and I do plan to look elsewhere for MINIs racing.
How about the other picture with the 3 MINIs in a row (yes, the yellow one is in the back mostly hidden, but it is there)? Great shot.
When I opened this thread to make this post, it opened on the first page, first post, which showed the MINIs in the LAP garage, and it it reminded me of the pride to see that the MINIs would be racing. I’ll remember this and I do plan to look elsewhere for MINIs racing.
#466
So, I have not seen much on MINI for them, are they still pursuing for 2020?
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#467
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Right now I’m not aware that anyone is fielding a MINI team. It seems that BMW has pretty well shut MINI out of racing. The Pirrilli World Challenge has a class that MINIs would fit into, but I think an earlier post said that it appears that no one has gone down that route. I’ve even watched some of the SCCA racing and have seen no private MINIs running.
Love to hear if someone knows something different.
#468
Yep, thats what I was asking about.
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#469
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The question is - why won’t MINI sponsor racing like this in the USA; they do in the UK:
Ya, there is a lot of talk in this video, but it does show the enthusiasm for MINI racing there. We could have that here if there was a bit of effort put into it.
Here is a video of the same guy when he was just introduced to the MINI.
Nice discussion about the car and an interesting ending to the introduction
Ya, there is a lot of talk in this video, but it does show the enthusiasm for MINI racing there. We could have that here if there was a bit of effort put into it.
Here is a video of the same guy when he was just introduced to the MINI.
Nice discussion about the car and an interesting ending to the introduction
Last edited by Eddie07S; 01-11-2019 at 10:16 AM. Reason: typo
#470
SUVs sell in the US. The 3 door hatch is a hot seller in the UK. Bottom line. If MINI didn't have the Countryman for sale in the US, MINI might have left our market.
I really enjoy watching the MINI Challenge on youtube. It's like watching Nascar on road courses. Lots of bumping and grinding. I just think the lack of support from BMW for racing MINIs in the US is the only reason we aren't seeing MINIs race here.
I really enjoy watching the MINI Challenge on youtube. It's like watching Nascar on road courses. Lots of bumping and grinding. I just think the lack of support from BMW for racing MINIs in the US is the only reason we aren't seeing MINIs race here.
#471
Yep the UK group is doing fantastic. Lots of our suppliers/brands we have at ECS support that UK group.
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#472
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If “petrol” was $5 or $6 a gal here, there would be a lot of 3 door hatches sold here too. But we are stuck with a SUV market mentality. And, headed towards driverless cars, much less “stick-less” cars. Hmmmmm, would it be boring to watch “driverless race cars”? The bumping and grinding would be an interesting algorithm .... Boring, I don’t need... My MINI is going to be around a long time.
TCR also has a bit of the bumping and grinding, but when they start to do it to take people/cars out, like in NASCAR, it will kill it for me. One of the reasons I like watching IMSA races is they are very quick to ensure that isn’t happening. Pure racing.
TCR also has a bit of the bumping and grinding, but when they start to do it to take people/cars out, like in NASCAR, it will kill it for me. One of the reasons I like watching IMSA races is they are very quick to ensure that isn’t happening. Pure racing.
#473
The ex-IMSA MINIs should be being run in the Blancpain GT America (formerly Pirelli World Challenge) this year, but I haven't seen anything formal come out. Tickets just went on sale for the round here in Austin at COTA for the first weekend in March, so I'm guessing it won't be long before something official comes out.
#475
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Well, it isn’t the MINIs, but I had fun watching the first of the Michelin Pilot Cup BMW Endurance Challenge races at Daytona. Four hours of GT and TRC cars racing. It was nice to see LA Honda, using the old MINI numbers, take first and second (with Mat Pombo) in the TCR class. I could get into rooting for the Alfas as an underdog but I can also enjoy rooting for Mat and co-drivers.
A bit of bump and grind in this racing and some clearly inexperienced driving in this in both the GT and TRC classes. But strong competition and competitive racing. Will be interesting to follow.
I was surprised to see the Hyundai Veloster racing in TRC as it is only a 3 door or are they counting the hatch as the 4th door?
Also, should I start a new thread to follow the old MINI team or leave it here?
A bit of bump and grind in this racing and some clearly inexperienced driving in this in both the GT and TRC classes. But strong competition and competitive racing. Will be interesting to follow.
I was surprised to see the Hyundai Veloster racing in TRC as it is only a 3 door or are they counting the hatch as the 4th door?
Also, should I start a new thread to follow the old MINI team or leave it here?