It began over five decades ago, when John Cooper’s racing-class version of the Original Mini would go on to dominate the 1960’s race scene, including three historic wins at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Since then, MINI has always felt at home on the track, with countless first-place finishes at some of racing’s most prestigious competitions. Today, our passion for Motorsports thrives in many forms – whether it’s rewarding amateur racers on home turf, or developing vehicles and racing programs to lead the pack in some of the world’s most demanding competitions.
As part of our Contingency Awards Program to help promote Canadian Motorsports, MINI Canada provides cash incentives to amateur and professional drivers who race in the Targa Newfoundland and Canadian Rally Championship events. So, if you race a MINI, or you are planning on giving racing a go, you may have a chance to earn some extra rewards.
The Canadian Rally Championship is Canada’s only national rallying series and longest running motorsport series. With stage-format rallies running across the country, drivers take on gravel and iced roads to prove who can rally among the giants. MINI is proud to support the Canadian Rally Championship and its drivers through the MINI Canada Motorsports Sponsorship Program.
This 1,600 km rally takes place right on our home turf, with the stunning landscapes of eastern Canada serving as a backdrop. But don’t think this is just some leisurely cruise around the Newfoundland countryside. This multi-surface circuit transitions between treacherous off-road sections and paved high-speed stretches, keeping both competitors and spectators on their toes.
Make no mistake about it: The Dakar Rally is not for the faint of heart. This two-week, 9,000 km marathon spans across mountains, deserts, wetlands, and anything else that stands in the way of victory. It is, without a doubt, one of the most gruelling and endurance-testing rallies in the world. And yet, MINI is no stranger to the podium. At the helm of the Countryman-based rally cars, MINI Motorsports teams have reigned victorious in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. And more recently, Jakub Przygoński and his team took home fifth place in 2018!
The MINI Challenge is a touring car tournament that pits MINI against MINI in a series of demanding races. It includes three divisions: The Cooper Class, John Cooper Works Class, and the newly-minted F56 class, exclusive to the MINI 3 door. Since 2002, the MINI Challenge has become one of the U.K.’s hottest Motorsports attractions – growing in popularity and speed with each passing year. Congratulations to our 2018 champions: Ant Whorton-Eales (JCW), Alex Nevill (Cooper AM), Kyle Reid (Cooper PRO), and Will Fairclough (Open). Thanks to all participants for another great year of racing!
Right from the get-go, the Classic Mini was a racing dynamo. John Cooper’s Mini 997, which featured a racing-tuned engine, larger brakes, and a closer-ratio gearbox, would go on to place first in nearly every one of racing’s benchmark contests, including the esteemed Monte Carlo Rally in ‘64, ‘65, and ‘67. In fact, John Cooper’s legendary Mini was one of the first to feature a contrasting roof – an iconic design element that still helps our vehicles stand out on the track (and the street) today.
Our relentless pursuit of Motorsports excellence is perfectly embodied in today’s lineup of John Cooper Works vehicles. Combining high-performance engines, racing-class components, top-of-the-line hardware, and signature design elements, each and every John Cooper Works MINI exudes a distinctive track-ready character that would surely make its namesake proud.
If you’re up for a bit of out-of-the-ordinary weekend fun, there’s nothing more exhilarating than testing your MINI’s mettle on the track. We’ve searched far and wide to find the best public and private racetracks in the country. Have a look at our racetrack locator below, and you may soon find yourself pushing your MINI to the limits on a course near you.
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