Rant away! There are many decisions that BMW has made (eg: no more LSD, no gauges, Suspension options aimed at the highways) that frustrate the enthusiast. It seems that a lot or most of their decisions have to do with profit margins. Maybe it is a simple numbers thing in a ledger. It costs more to field 2 teams than one.

I looked up PWC and it wasn’t clear that these JCW MINIs could run in that class. But I will admit to not having dug to deep into the requirements. It would be great if they did run in PWC as they race at LRP which ic close to me. I would definitely go see them if they did.

I’ve been looking for the official final standings and have not been able to find them. I stickered up Cheddar and want to place the results on the rear quarter glass.

The final standings are listed here:
https://michelinpilotchallenge.imsa.com/standings

MINI took first in the Manufactures standing’s. Mat Pombo and Mike Lamarra took Second in the Driver’s standings. #73 took second in the Team standings.

Love the car, by the way.

I will miss seeing the MINIs race as well! I’m sure Matt Pombo will catch a fast ride somewhere else!....he sure could get every ounce of speed out of that #73 JCW. Long live the JCW!!!!👍

This will be on my quarter glass left and right! By the way the Pirrelli stickers are gone.

2018 IMSA Coninental Tire Sportscar
Callenge Street Turner Class
Manufacturers’s Campionship

1. MINI

2. BMW
3. Porsche
4. Mazda

Gonna really miss the JCWs racing this year (2019)...I watched the Atlanta race again yesterday when they clinched the Manu Championship....sweet! and well deserved! Only stick shift cars in the field too! Long live the manual!!!!!👍. Heel & Toe baby! 🙃

Even though the ST class is gone, IMSA racing will be kicking off this season with the Roar Before the 24

Just got my copy of the BMWCCA magazine, the “Roundel”. They have a great article about the Petit Le Mans, the MINI win there and a good summary of how well the MINIs did during this past season. It seems that they lament the passing of the MINI from racing, too. Don’t know if it is on line, but worth a read if anyone can find it.

I saw that also! The pics of the #73 racing made me smile! So sad to not be seeing any MINIs racing this year! I’m a 30 year member of the BMW CCA btw. The Riundel usbstill a top magazine!

2 great MINI pictures in that article!

How about the other picture with the 3 MINIs in a row (yes, the yellow one is in the back mostly hidden, but it is there)? Great shot.

When I opened this thread to make this post, it opened on the first page, first post, which showed the MINIs in the LAP garage, and it it reminded me of the pride to see that the MINIs would be racing. I’ll remember this and I do plan to look elsewhere for MINIs racing.

Well said Eddie! Maybe somebody will race a MINI in the US....let’s all keep an eye out!

Not sure who or what you are referring to.

Right now I’m not aware that anyone is fielding a MINI team. It seems that BMW has pretty well shut MINI out of racing. The Pirrilli World Challenge has a class that MINIs would fit into, but I think an earlier post said that it appears that no one has gone down that route. I’ve even watched some of the SCCA racing and have seen no private MINIs running.

Love to hear if someone knows something different.

The question is - why won’t MINI sponsor racing like this in the USA; they do in the UK:

Ya, there is a lot of talk in this video, but it does show the enthusiasm for MINI racing there. We could have that here if there was a bit of effort put into it.

Here is a video of the same guy when he was just introduced to the MINI.


Nice discussion about the car and an interesting ending to the introduction

If “petrol” was $5 or $6 a gal here, there would be a lot of 3 door hatches sold here too. But we are stuck with a SUV market mentality. And, headed towards driverless cars, much less “stick-less” cars. Hmmmmm, would it be boring to watch “driverless race cars”? The bumping and grinding would be an interesting algorithm .... Boring, I don’t need... My MINI is going to be around a long time.

TCR also has a bit of the bumping and grinding, but when they start to do it to take people/cars out, like in NASCAR, it will kill it for me. One of the reasons I like watching IMSA races is they are very quick to ensure that isn’t happening. Pure racing.

That will be interesting if that does happen. Unfortunately for me, the closest they will get to me is WGI, which is almost 4 hrs away.

Well, it isn’t the MINIs, but I had fun watching the first of the Michelin Pilot Cup BMW Endurance Challenge races at Daytona. Four hours of GT and TRC cars racing. It was nice to see LA Honda, using the old MINI numbers, take first and second (with Mat Pombo) in the TCR class. I could get into rooting for the Alfas as an underdog but I can also enjoy rooting for Mat and co-drivers.


A bit of bump and grind in this racing and some clearly inexperienced driving in this in both the GT and TRC classes. But strong competition and competitive racing. Will be interesting to follow.

I was surprised to see the Hyundai Veloster racing in TRC as it is only a 3 door or are they counting the hatch as the 4th door?

Also, should I start a new thread to follow the old MINI team or leave it here?