The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is considered the ultimate test of endurance for people and machines. The 50th edition of this high-speed showdown will take place this year from 26 to 29 May on the 25.378 km long circuit comprising the Grand Prix circuit and the legendary Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, with the participation of a MINI John Cooper Works.
Last September, the project was launched at Bulldog Racing in the Eifel region, just a few metres from the Nordschleife. The basic car is a MINI John Cooper Works with a 4-cylinder turbo engine, known from the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, with a power output of 225 kW/306 hp and a maximum torque of 450 Nm. The 8-speed Steptronic transmission, which comes from large-scale production models and includes an integrated, mechanical limited slip differential with an engagement rate of up to 70%, ensures that torque is converted into thrilling performance without loss of power.
Racing conversions
With racing requirements in mind, the following modifications have been made to the standard MINI John Cooper Works, which go beyond the SP3T class regulations:
A racing cage specially developed for this model was installed.
The fuel tank capacity has been increased to 100 litres.
Extensive aerodynamic interventions were made, including an adjustable rear wing, a fully covered lower body, a rear diffuser and front splitter.
The weight has been significantly reduced, e.g. by using Makrolon® glass.
A model-specific racing suspension with adjustable rebound and compression damping was fitted.
All moving parts of the chassis and suspension were replaced with reinforced Uniball bearings.
A lifting unit was installed.
The sports exhaust system was adapted with a racing catalytic converter.
Genuine BMW M Performance series brake components were fitted.
MINI in motorsport
Pat Moss made motorsport history in 1962, scoring the first international rally victory for MINI in the Tulip Rally. Her victory marked the beginning of the Classic Mini's unique success story in rallying, with three overall wins in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 (Paddy Hopkirk), 1965 (Timo Mäkinen) and 1967 (Rauno Aaltonen).
This string of successes included three overall Dakar Rally wins in 2012 (Leonid Novitskiy), 2013 (Stéphane Peterhansel), 2014 (Nani Roma), 2015 (Nasser Al-Attiyah), 2020 (Carlos Sainz Sr.) and 2021 (Stéphane Peterhansel).
The MINI John Cooper Works "Made in Nürburg" racing car pays homage to the MINI racing tradition in the classic red/white colour scheme of the 1960s racing cars.
High-speed program
Only seven months elapsed between the launch of the project and the presentation at the end of March 2022. In the coming weeks and until the start of the 24-hour race, further tests are planned at the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring and at the BMW Group's test centre in Miramas, in the South of France. Located between Marseille and Avignon, the former race track is the ideal venue for extensive testing and optimisation in a wide range of conditions. The MINI John Cooper Works racing chassis undergoes an extensive and varied test programme there. Friedhelm Thelen, Nürburgring expert and head of the Bulldog Racing team, knows how important comprehensive testing before a race is: "In the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring all vehicle components are subjected to high stress. That's why we are happy to be able to use the BMW Group Test Centre to test the John Cooper Works to its limits there."
The BMW Group has been testing new models and innovative chassis technologies on the Miramas test track since 1986.
The driver line-up and the race programme for the 2022 season will be announced at a later date.
