ts’ racing sport report

After 50,000 miles my original brakes were ready to be replaced. This was also the sixth birthday for my MINI too. The rotors were corroded the most but, surprisingly the pads all around were still pretty good—I could have driven more miles on them. One of the rear pads (inside passenger side) was the most worn and the front pads were still ok with about 1/8″ left of material. The sensors were untouched.

I researched all the brake upgrades, big brake kits and decided on upgrading to factory MINI parts with fitting of the 2009 up John Cooper Works Brembo Sports Brake Kit. This kit is normally fitted to 2009 on R56 models with specific 17″ rim fitments to fit over the front calipers. Check, I run 17″ rims (MINI R90s and R85s) and bought H&R 15mm DR spacers and longer 40mm lug bolts. I learned that this kit fits on the R53 as is! I wanted to order the full kit from our new MINI dealer in Shelburne, VT (MINI of Burlington) unfortunately, they were not ready yet for ordering. So, I found outmotoring had this available. After ordering the huge kit from Grayson BMW / MINI of Knoxville (via outmotoring = free shipping!) it arrived on a neat little German built wood pallet.

I finally had some time and got to work removing the old system components and installing the new. Notes: the front brake backing shields needed to be removed, front 2007 on R56 brake lines installed and some rear line to caliper adapters fitted. Also needed to remove some material from the rear trailing arms and modify the round emergency brake cables to fit into square holes. See photos after the jump.
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A newcomer to Germany’s motorsport landscape: The MINI Trophy. Last weekend Oschersleben hosted the opening round of this one-make championship.

Into the 2012 season; into a new era. With 211 bhp. From zero to one hundred in 6,1 seconds. Propelled by 5,09 horsepower per kilogram of vehicle mass. Could a season start any better? Last weekend the reconstituted MINI Trophy kicked-off its first season in Germany. Oschersleben the scene: Thanks to the uniform specification of the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge, two thrilling heats were the order of the weekend. Only those at the sharp end at the start of the season have a chance of lifting the championship come the end after seven rounds.
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The Galway is the traditional Irish Tarmac Rally Championship season opener. On board cameras with Eugene Donnelly and Paddy Toner (Mini JCW WRC), captured a podium finish – second place overall. The above video shows just how well the new MINI WRC Countryman works on tarmac, flat out!

http://www.galwayinternationalrally.com/

Results
http://results.shannonsportsit.ie/results.php?rally=GY12

More videos and full coverage from MotorsTV after the jump.
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This comes to us from a local Vermonter and friend
2006 MINI JCW GP #0280 is for sale. This is a fine example of the last 2006 R53 model MINI Cooper JCW GP edition with the supercharger. Only 2000 of these limited edition GP models were produced and the small number of 415 shipped to the US. With only 35K miles, four new Hankook Ventus EVO’s, and Borla Race exhaust, it is a great deal at only $21.5. Contact Colby Morris at the Automaster in Shelburne, VT for details (802) 985-8411.
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Parts
4 – 3024562 H&R DR Trak spacers, made in Germany.
16 – 12mm x 1.5 x 40mm lug bolts, 10.9 grade.
1 – SMS Red urethane mud flap 12″ x 18″, cut into two pieces.

Service
Install MINI R90 wheels, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires and H&R 15mm DR spacers. Mounted new red urethane mud flaps to front to cover additional 15mm H&R wheel spacers width.

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http://www.mini.de/mini_countryman/john_cooper_works_countryman/index.html

Looks like a new rim is going to be offered in addition to the R129, very nice!

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN.
EXTRA SPORTS SUSPENSION TUNING.
With the Countryman, the first MINI John Cooper Works ALL4 model with four-wheel drive, you can make the world your own race track. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman is also the largest and most powerful model in the MINI family. Thanks to its impressive traction and its extra-sporty suspension tuning, you are on the road, off the road and everything in between safely.

The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman comes up with an output of 160 kW (218 hp) at 6,100 rpm / min. The integrated sport button and the overboost function make for an even more dynamic drive. The torque is increased by the Overboost function by 20 Nm to 300 Nm in total. By depressing the button to talk sports steering and gas pedal at a more direct, and the exhaust system with two exhaust pipes has an even sportier sound.
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Parts
1 – John Cooper Works exhaust off of 2006 MINI GP #0280.
1 – 18111170941, Exhaust gasket.
2 – Bolts, Nuts, washers and lock washers.
2 – 18101174146, Center muffler hanger S MODEL.
2 – 18207535665, Mount strap hanger S MODEL Right.
2 – 18207521427, Mount strap hanger S MODEL Left.

Service
Remove old exhaust system, replace with JCW exhaust, new gasket and all new hangers.
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The BMW/MINI Challenge Series was cancelled and rebranded for 2012 as the MINI TROPHY. Using similar regulations, the MINI TROPHY will be running under the framework of the ADAC GT Masters. This makes for an attractive venue for privateer race teams.
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Watch all the videos in HD

The MINI WRC Team continued seamlessly into 2012 after scoring two promising podium places during its 2011 learning and preparation year by impressively announcing its presence in the 2012 World Rally Championship. Dani Sordo in the number 37 MINI John Cooper Works WRC emphatically proved the performance of the car in the classic Rally Monte Carlo with a fine second place, simultaneously underscoring the winning spirit which reigns within the entire MINI WRC Team.
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Check out all the videos at MINImotorsport.com