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.

I got to the point where I needed to bleed the system and recruited my 15 yr old daughter to help with this, she did a great job in-between iPhone multitasking, texting, music and games. Although I had solid brake fluid coming out of all four corners, the pedal didn’t feel right but drove fine. I guess I wasn’t able to remove all the air in the lines and this required a quick first pump to get full brakes, then it felt right. One quick pump and the brakes are amazing! I chalked it up to using the old method of “down, up, down, up… and multi-tasking. They needed a proper pressure bleeding so, off to the dealer. Safety first!

I dropped it off to the pros and let James Fennessey at MINI of Burlington dial it in. The brakes ended up requiring a full electronic bleed of the ABS system and pressure bleeding of all four corners and then manual bleeding again. That’s a lot of fluid!

Thanks go to the NEW MINI of Burlington dealership in Shelburne, Vermont, Robert McKinney, my new service advisor—providing hourly live updates, and all the staff for their expert service! A++.

Parts
1 – 34110432802 MINI 2009 > JCW Brembo Sports Brake Kit.
2 – 34306788442 MINI R56 front brake hoses.
2 – Hard rear brake line adaptors.
2 – ATE Super Blue Racing Brake Fluid.
1 – Würth CU 1000 high-temperature copper paste.

Service
Installed MINI JCW Brembo Sports Brake Kit. New front R56 MINI lines, rear brake line adaptors. Modified rear trailing arm to accommodate emergency brake cables. Removed front brake backing shields to fit new calipers (note: front backing shields *could* have been used but, needed modifying to fit). Mostly a bolt on procedure as long as you have proper clearance for your rims. Professional installation recommend with H&R DR 10-15mm wheel adaptors for clearance.

Suggested Tools for Installation
1 – #50 Torx 3/8″ socket bit for brake rotors
1 – #25 Torx 3/8″ socket bit for front brake backing plate removal
1 – 16mm deep 6-point socket for front caliper to strut (80 ft lbs)
1 – Each of; 17mm, 14mm, 13mm, 10mm open and closed end and brake flare wrenches
1 – 1/2″ Drive breaker bar
1 – WD40, penetrating fluid or similar
1 – Dremel tool for removing steel material from trailing arm and emergency brake cable
1 – Flat file for filing emergency brake cable ends flat
1 – Possible pressure bleeding of system
1 – Safety eyeglasses!

John Cooper Works Sports Brake Kit PDF

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.

Schmarls challengers.
Experience beat fempower, only on Saturday afternoon: Jürgen Schmarl earned 30 points for victory, but that was literally easier said than done. Ralf Martin fought him all the way to the line, missing out by three-tenths of a second – just eleven metres, 47 centimetres. Two veterans versus youth: Podium place three on Saturday went to Stephanie Halm. Come Sunday? Fempower to the fore, shading experience. Same trio, only closer. Stephanie Halm took the flag ten metres, 70 centimetres ahead of Jürgen Schmarl, Martin in tow. Thus maiden winner Jürgen Schmarl has the pack hunting him as he heads for the MINI highlight event in Le Castellet: MINI United features the Trophy alongside juicy music from Iggy and the Stooges, Martin Solveig and The Rifles, with 30 000 fans expected to party all weekend long. Schmarl’s immediate challenger is Stephanie Halm: six points in arrears.

Racing Extra: Cora Schumacher and that certain Something.
A true credit to MINI Trophy: In Oschersleben Cora Schumacher, wife of former Formula 1 and current DTM driver Ralf Schumacher – with whose support she entered the Trophy – injected an extra shot of glamour into this pure racing series. With sporting success, too: In the first race Cora Schumacher placed tenth; ninth in the second.

Selected circuits for extra action.
Only the best of the best will do for the MINI John Cooper Works Challenge. Drivers and Trophy fans can look forward to a host of evocative circuits. The MINI Trophy is a partner of the ADAC Masters Weekend, and thus visits circuits in Germany and neighbouring countries. Whether Hockenheim, the Sachsen- or Nürburgring – these provide the perfect environment for MINI.

2012 Schedule.
31 March–01 April, Oschersleben
12–13 May, Le Castellet/MINI United
09–10 June, Sachsenring
11–12 August, Spielberg
25–26 August, Lausitzring
15–16 September,  Nürburgring
29–30 September, Hockenheim
Source: MINImotorsport.com, MINItrophy.de

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.

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.

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.

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.

THE FACTS.
HIGHLIGHTS.
As the youngest in the family of sports cars Countryman John Cooper Works is the first ALL4 model with four-wheel drive. The extra-sporty suspension tuning and a lowering of 10 mm ensure excellent road holding in all terrain. With the sport brake system you can master any driving situation, the red brake calipers provide an extra safety. This intelligent braking system is not a party pooper, but at least as important as the excellent acceleration.

With the powerhouse under the hood, you always remain in pole position. The dual exhaust system is not only an eye-catching but also provides rich sound. The impressive traction and excellent cornering stability through DTC with electronic differential lock, are the icing on the cake of this famous all-wheel drive vehicle.

TECHNICAL DATA.
EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE.
Whether you consider to be driving on country roads through their paces or leisurely drive through the city – the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman consumes only as much fuel as just necessary.

In every speed range convinced the Countryman by his enormous muscle power and enables effortless driving style. Because every now and then it’s also just fun to ride in a MINI John Cooper Works Countryman after winning a rally for quite cozy home.

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.

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.

2012 MINI Trophy calendar
The 2012 FIA GT Championship race calendar has been updated, so change the MINI TROPHY race dates for 2012.

The MINI TROPHY will participate in the following FIA GT Championship dates. In addition, the MINI TROPHY will be a real race event at the MINI UNITED 2012 in Le Castellet (Paul Ricard) to start in May. * Therefore, seems to participate in the ADAC GT Masters at Zandvoort on the weekend before new date difficult but not impossible.

31.03. – 01.04.2012 FIA GT Championship at Oschersleben (D)
05.05. – 06.05.2012 ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort (NL) *
11.05. – 05/13/2012 UNITED MINI Castellet, Circuit Paul Ricard
09.06. – 06.10.2012 ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring (D)
11.08. – 08.12.2012 ADAC GT Masters Red Bull ring (A)
25.08. – 08.26.2012 ADAC GT Masters Lausitzring (D)
15.09. – 16.09.2012 ADAC GT Masters Nurburgring (D)
29.09. – 30.09.2012 ADAC GT Masters Hockenheim (D)

http://www.mini-racing-team.de/
http://www.mini-trophy.de/

“To score a podium place on the Rally Monte Carlo is always something special,” said Dani at the finish. “We had to push hard towards the end, but the result proved well worth the effort.” After places three and two on last season’s Rallys Germany and France respectively, this result marks Dani’s third podium for the MINI WRC Team, bringing his career total to 32 in 92 starts. He has scored 19 second places, and 13 third overalls.

Team principal Dave Wilcock, too, was delighted by the performance delivered by the team on the opening round of the new WRC season. “We are very pleased with this result, and it is pretty special to come second in the Rally Monte Carlo with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC, particularly given the brand’s very successful history here,” said Wilcock. In the 60s the “Three Musketeers”, namely Paddy Hopkirk, Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen, claimed three Rally Monte Carlo Rally victories with the classic Mini Cooper S to create a sensation in international rallying.

“Well done to Dani and Carlos. they did a great job,” added Wilcock. “Pierre and Sabrina delivered a good, solid job too. The team has worked hard. This means that their success is well deserved.” Pierre and his co-driver Sabrina de Castelli made their debut for the MINI WRC Team with the number 52 MINI WRC after Pierre made his WRC debut on the Rally France, placing a classified ninth overall on home soil in a privately-entered MINI.

Two privateer MINI WRC crews also celebrated positive results on the Rally Monte Carlo. Portugal’s Armindo Araujo finished tenth for his own WRC team to score a point in the opening round of the championship. Brazilian Paulo Nobre placed a classified 20th for Team Palmeirinha Rally in his MINI WRC.

http://www.MINImotorpsort.com/