I'm thinking of getting a 2002-3 MINI beater (cheap, high mileage and cosmetic issues) and entering it in rallycross. The only problem is the bumpy courses around here would require getting some more suspension travel. Other people are racing sedans like the Acura Integra or Subaru Legacy, and do very well, so I figured the MINI couldn't be that far off from being competitive. The main problem is the MINI seems to have less suspension travel than other cars, and the suspension is too stiff for the bumps.

Looking around, though, all of the suspension mods for the MINI are to lower it, not raise it, so I can't just go to MINI Mania and buy the kit :-(

Any suggestions?

 

No, not a kit thing as you can see, but certainly can be done. Might be a bit pricey to do right as you would need custom shocks, like JRZ. I believe you need soft springs rates for this kind of racing, so you would need longer shocks. The rear may be do-able with factory length shocks, but the front not.

Most likely would also need a redesign in the front lower control arm.

 

Thanks for the analysis. I hadn't considered the front lower control arm, but what you say makes sense.

Cool looking racing MINI! I was at VIR earlier this month and saw a couple of MINIs ripping up the track.

 

FYI...a group from South Africa drove MINIs with modded higher suspensions from South Africa to England several years ago. MINI Odyssey website,
http://www.nomadtours.co.za/article_2006-4-11_12.html