45 replies to this topic

[rally1380]

mmmmmm...interesting.....you could fit a different engine then?? VTEC????

[Cooperman]

To make a Mini competitive in '81 to '86 class will be nigh on impossible, especially with only homologated parts allowed. Development of the Mini as a homologated rally car really stopped in about 1970 and a Group 2 1970 Cooper 'S' is going to really struggle against, say, a Toyota Celica, an Opel Ascona or even a Pug 205GTI.
The main reason I sold my Endurance Rally 1990 Cooper was because it was such a struggle to be competitive against the Pug 106 Rallye, Rover 214/25, Suzuli Swift, Corsa GSi, etc. I bought a prepared the Rover 214Si and was immediately on-the-pace without having to drive at 10/10ths+ everywhere.
The Mini is fine for Historic events, i.e. pre 1967 in the UK and pre-1966 on internationals, but beyond that it's not going to win really.

[bikerjohn]

Just a couple of queries from the above, I seem to remember a CCC magazine article where they entered 3 Group A 1275Gt's to do the Rally DAntibes International before the cars homologation ran out. I think the author went into some detail on what was allowed on the cars....

A Further thought could you not use all the Group A mini stuff as an evolution of the original homologation of the group2 cars??

Where their also not group 6 mini's built in the late 60's??

Edited by bikerjohn, 22 December 2012 - 10:34 PM.

[bikerjohn]

Done some Digging....

http://www.bonhams.c.../16245/lot/309/ This is the Car

You'll also need Mini World November 2005 and CCC Magazine January 1987

[Cooperman]

For International Historic rallies the cars in Historic and Post-Historic classes must comply with Group 1 or 2. For UK Historic club rallies they must have 'period mods only with these being established as period by documentary evidence. For all post-1975 classic cars on International and UK Club rallies they must comply with FIA Appendix 'K' regulations which require properly homologated parts. Later 'Evolution' parts were never homologated as full production options, so won't be allowed. Group 'A' homologation parts may be OK, but what was homologated as Gp. A on the Mini which at that time was only produced in 998 form?
Pre-1975, the Clubman 1275GT was homologated with twin SU's, or so I believe, so they will still be homologated Gp.2 until the end of GT production.

[bikerjohn]

Hi John, sorry for the delay, I've just come back from the uk and I've managed to find the magazine I was talking about.. I'll try and PM you the stuff.

[John Clayton]

 

Try CCC magazine December 1974

You are looking for a car (reg J 279) driven by Pat Ryan and prepped by Blazespeed

Article is called Von Ryans Express.

If you need a photocopy or scanned image let me know.

 

 

I've now got the CCC -Dec '74 magazine (via eBay) and your tip off was invaluable -many thanks!
 

 

There was no mention of it actually competing as it was a write up on the car itself.

The article mentions rallying and this Mini several times (and shows it in rally livery complete with door number), but it doesn't actually confirm that the car ever started a rally; can anyone confirm or deny whether it did, plse?

Edited by John Clayton, 08 September 2013 - 03:58 PM.

[bikerjohn]

Did you get my message re beam's

[bikerjohn]

Just found this and lots of interesting text to follow re works cars and rear beams..
http://forum.minicoo...01&d=1357329077

Quotes..
Tom,
Yes the Clubman is TJN 19N and we were second in Gp.1 in the 1977 British Open Championship. Beaten by Ivor Clark in a 1300 Avenger. We suffered badly on the gravel events.
The car was lent to Cyril by Abingdon in recognition of him finishing 2nd ov/all in the previous years MN championship. From what I can remember it was originally a Gp1 race car.
in 1978 we ran SJW 803S, again supplied by Abingdon. This was a Gp5 car that ran on a rear beam set up 12" wheels and coil over shocks. It handled badly. Both cars went back to Abingdon.
Ian.

Ian,
Thanks for that I always wondered what happened to SJW. The event that I remember was one in Wales and must have been one of the Castrol/Autosport rounds. I also remember myself and service crew laid on our backs looking at the rear beam set up. Interesting to know that it handled badly.
Tom
Tom,
I should qualify the point re-rear beam.
On SJW, the beam was an alloy beam, supplied by Abingdon, together with shocks and springs. I can't remember what the rear arms were.
On Cyril's MN car, NCK, had a similar set up, but the beam was simply the front half of a standard subframe, standard swinging arms and coil over shocks,12" front and 10" rear wheels as opposed to SJW's 12" all round. That could well have made the difference, as the MN car had perfect handling.
The event in Wales.....could it have been the Cheltenham Festival, Peter Russek etc.
As the car was Gp.5, the remit was to do the Castrol Autosport series that year
Ian.

Thanks Tom and Ian......this is some really good stuff about the last of the Abingdon Minis....first of all it was the Comps Dept, most people think that's where it all ended....oh so wrong, then there was the Special Tuning Dept....and then of course BL Motorsport Abingdon......lovely shot of SJW. If you have any more pics of TJB or SJW Ian I could do a bit in my 1275GT Register column.....great stuff, keep posting
Ade

[John Clayton]

I clicked on the thread above but I can't read it without registering -so I did.  However, I havn't received an 'activate your account' email yet (several hours later) so I may not be any further forward.

[John Clayton]

Done some Digging....

http://www.bonhams.c.../16245/lot/309/ This is the Car

You'll also need Mini World November 2005 and CCC Magazine January 1987

 

The above car doesn't appear to have a beam frame/axle for its rear suspension, so how does it relate to this particular thread?

[John Clayton]

The Good news is that I can provide you proof...... The bad is that I can't get it till January when I'm in the UK..

Back in 1982 there was a magazine called Auto Performance it may of even been the 1st edition, it had an article on the "Ultimate Rally Mini" which features a Blue Mini Clubman with a beam frame on the rear, you may also get some joy with looking For Mini's with Mini Marcos kit car rear beams which were about in the 70's

Hope this helps, John

 

This magazine might be the one?  It has a blue Mini on the cover with the caption "ROAD/RALLY MINI":

 

AUTO PERFORMANCE CAR MAGAZINE APRIL 1983 

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...ME:B:SS:GB:1120

[bikerjohn]

Hi John, Sorry for my absence but I'm glad to say I'm back  Did you manage to get the Magazine??

[John Clayton]

I cant remember if I bought it or not!  I'll see if it appears in my magazine pile in due course.

 

I also spotted this just now (but the contents page doesnt quite seem to cover what you referred to):

AUTO PERFORMANCE MAGAZINE DEC 1982 MINI STILL GOING STRONG SPECIAL SALOONS KIT C

http://www.ebay.co.u...-/231806202013?

[Spider]

Sorry, I'm probably cutting across a few lanes of traffic here.

 

Interesting thread.

 

Sorry, but there may have been some confusion throughout this thread, if this is in fact the set up that's been at the centre of the discussion;-

 

Think this might be what you are looking for......

 

Respectfully, that's not a Rear Beam set up, but a Subframe-less set up. This one still uses Swing Arms and is Independent, a Beam set up is not. The Beam set up has a solid Beam going from one wheel to the other, ie, not via swing arms. Someone in this thread did make mention of the Beam Set up in Vizzards early Book and that is a true Beam Suspension

 

 

 

 

We used to run one in the (Track) Race car and was brilliant there, as it held the wheel square to the road, however for Rally work, I agree with Cooperman that such a set up would be quite unsuitable and quite uncompetitive.

 

All academic now in any case as the OP's questions are years old!