Any reasonable person would have seen this coming: Honda and Mazda created the B-spec race class when they built racecars based on the Fit and 2, respectively, while Ford and Kia showed B-spec versions of the Fiesta and Rio at SEMA earlier this month. Now Mini has announced it will enter B-spec competition in 2012.
Per class rules, the starting point is a base Mini Cooper hardtop -- no turbo -- making the factory-tuned 121 horsepower. This particular B-spec Mini will be part of a "factory team" and driven by Brad and Robbie Davis.
You can buy a conversion kit with the requisite coil-overs, cage, braided steel brake lines and 15-inch Kosei K1 wheels and lack of seating/carpeting for any 2007-'12 Mini Cooper hatch. Or, you can pay quite a bit more and Mini will build a whole racecar for you. And if you're any good, a contingency program might help you recoup some of the initial cost.
Inside Line: Testing the 2011 Mazda 2 and 2010 Honda Fit B-Spec Racecars
caheew says:
05:45 AM, 11/18/11
I wish I had money so I could do this :'( this looks like so much fun.
stovt001 says:
08:08 AM, 11/18/11
GM just has to do a B-spec Sonic. All the cool kids are doing it.
duck87 says:
09:01 AM, 11/18/11
How much for the conversion kit? This could be interesting if a used/salvage Mini was picked up for cheap.
I wonder if the costs for running B-spec can possibly be even lower than Spec Miata... that would be entirely amazing considering the variety of competition.
And depending on final vehicle class weights and restrictions, the Mini could be the one to watch out for, since it's essentially the only B-spec entry with a proper multilink rear suspension.