North American Motoring is happy to announce the existence of the MINIUSA Drag Car. The car was modified by the Prototype Technology Group (PTG) under the direction of Tom Milner for MINIUSA. This was a one of a kind production for PTG, which normally supports BMWUSA's highly successful motorsports program.

 

I need to go change my pants!!!

 

That's beautiful! What time/mph did they clock? Thanks, Dave

 

From what I know of it, the project was put on the back burner before the MINI Drag Car was formally raced, so that PTG could focus on the BMW Motorsports program for the 2004 season.

 

Thanks, Dave!

 

Somehow that was my suspicion. Mostly because there are plenty on pics with people oogling it, but no action pics. Oh, and the stickers are still on the tires.

I can't wait 'til they get it rollin'.

 

What would be your guess on a 1/4 mile time?

 

Given that PTG is tied to the BMW motorsports program and has a lot of resources available, I'm sure it would be fast. How fast remains to be seen.

My hope is that MINIUSA sees some of the response to the drag car here on NAM and rekindles the effort to campaign the car.

 

Anyone notice it's really a cooper and not an S. even though it has a S "hood" everything else is cooper, bumpers and engine.

 

Which automatically qualifies it for the "Most Retro" award for any British sports car currently in production!

Hallelujah!

It sounds like this puppy never got raced. But for those interested, if you haven't seen it already, here's an interesting database of quarter-mile times, for everything from stock MCs to NOS set-ups:

The Unofficial MINI 1/4 Mile Time Database

 

Dunno the power-to-weight ratio, but high 12's? glad it's Chili Red :smile: J-bo

 

What no S/C or at least a Turbine???????

 

It'll be significantly faster than high 12's.

-mike

 

Mike did U check out the unofficial 1/4 mile time link above? although we dont know PTW perhaps a 12.8 is too conservative. Below 12? Jimbo

 

Very well could be, I dunno. But I think it's gotta be more than just a few tenths of a second faster than that MCS that got a 13.07@109. If you consider this drag car probably has more power (Jeff has 258whp, nothing to scoff at, but given that the drag engine looks very modified...), and is certainly a lot lighter, I think it's gonna be a fairly big difference from Jeff.

-mike

 

it is pretty cool to see that mini usa is actually having a car in this. hopefully they will have more car in various races/circuits/competitions. never really watch drag racing,but now i have a reason to,lol

 

If I remember correctly, the motor is essentially a Cooper S engine with only minor changes. It made about the same power as a standard Cooper without nitrous (~120 hp) and was using something like a 50 shot. Everything is conservative, mainly because it makes no sense to blow up multiple times.

It weighs in the neighborhood of 1300lbs. CF Hood, Doors, Rear hatch. Lexan windows except for the windshield. Uses Sachs shocks front and rear. Custom 3pc BBS wheels. On the car in those pictures are Yokohama Formula Atlantic slicks and as you can see in one picture uses MoTeC engine management.

Unfortunatly the car broke the on the two occasions it went to the track, both times the gearbox was the trouble. The gearbox can handle the power it seems, but doesn't like the wheel hop/spin associated. It got a few passes, but each pass had tons of wheel spin on the launch so the times, which I think were in the mid 13's, don't represent fully the capability of the car. It was getting wheelspin through first and second for sure.

If you have anymore questions, or would like clarification on the car and it's guts, I can help.

 

FYI, if you live in, or find yourself in the DC area and have the time... Make a swing over to MINI/BMW of Sterling. Tom's cars are occasionally on display in the showroom.

 

Wow! This is awsome! A mini that will finally go really fast in a straight line, and even better, murder all those tuner wacko honda civics at NOPI. I thought the day would never come-anyone have an earthly idea how much power or 1/4 mile?

 

It would be great to see this Mini or any Mini running the NDRA circuit. Will need a lot more WHP from reading this thread if were to be competitive but it would be great to see it happen.

Don't knock NOPI...they welcome all cars from all countries.

 

that is so not a cooper s engine. there might be some cooper s parts inside, but there is no superchager on it and that is totally a cooper intake system on that. see the alt. right in front too, right where the supercharger would be.:smile:

 

I have to ask...Why is there no rollbar/cage in that car?!? Please don't say weight. Safety is so much more important than that.

 

its a drag car that will reach speeds of a little over a hundy. There is no turns involved, nothing. Rolling it would be hard. If safety is a concern the CF doors are a no-no and so are the lexan (plastic) windows. Wt is one of the most important factors in drag racing along with power (hence the PTW ratio) and wheel spin. Since the cars are not going to reach speeds of 300+ I don't think they need a roll cage nor a parachute. :smile:

B

 

Even at speeds a little over a hundy, any abrupt stops will hurt with that harness bolted to the floor. With stickers still on the tires... it makes one wonder

 

actually draging racing has lots of flips, even at speeds of like 50 MPH!. you get some oil on the track and it hits the wall and you can flip. seen it many times. they do not have a roll cage or parachute because i am sure the class they are running doesn't need one. once you reach 11's you have to have a 6 point cage and shoot i believe. the doors do save lots of weight and it very normal to have lexan windows in any and all drag cars. many of then replace all there windows with them. but i think you have to have a window net to keep you in the car if you do, but again not totally sure. from what it says it is not done and was put on the back burner, so they may have not gotten that far, but they should have started there. but it would be nice to see the car out on the track a few times, just the promotion alone would be worth it