mk1-forum.net

"Three New Zealanders have converted a 1964 Mini Cooper S into a racing missile and are now out to set a new speed record in the USA. Their goal: 250 km/h.

Garry Orton, Guy Griffith and Garry Grand have named their unbelievable sounding mission “Project 64″, as they look to demonstrate to the world just how much power their modified Mini Cooper S possesses. The trio hopes to push the boundaries of speed with the classic Mini at the “Bonneville Speedweek”, which takes place from 8th to 20th August in the US state of Utah. They have set their sights on a speed of 150 miles per hour – that is just over 240 km/h. However, they believe the Mini might be capable of even more.

It goes without saying that numerous modifications had to be made in order to take the Mini to a fifth of the speed of sound. “We had a guy in England tell us we’d need 250-horsepower to make a body shape like the Mini’s go at the speed we wanted,” said a grinning Garry Orton. “We have more horsepower than that.” In order to achieve this performance, the engine was modified, the aerodynamics of the chassis were optimised, special tyres were fitted, the undercarriage was tinkered with, and so on and so on. Despite all the technical modifications, the 1964 Mini has retained its classic appearance – a feat the team is very proud of."
More here:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/08/07/ ... alt-racer/

Not sure which guy in england told them they need 250bhp, my calculations would suggest that they need a bit more.

BHP____Speed
29.69___70
44.32___80
63.1____90
86.56___100
115.21__110
131.64__115
149.57__120
190.17__130
237.51__140
292.13__150
354.54__160
425.26__170
504.8___180
593.7___190
692.46__200

Maybe their aero tweeks will help.

Good luck to them though, it's a really interesting attempt.

Suprised it is not deseamed

we made a polycarbonate windscreen for something similar a good few years back - only it sat on the
roof gutter and wraped onto the roof, the sides wrapped round to the seems so it made the whole front screen area more aerodynamic -

GOOD LUCK. to the effort

Pad

I agree on the deseaming,

give me 10 mins with a roll of duct tape and I bet I can find them another 5 mph! lol

I think it's a turbo'd 999 (970S)

KJW wrote:Suprised it is not deseamed

Surprised its not Sprinted

Perhaps there were rules around that kind of carry on.

Should be interesting to follow.

First item would be to get rid of the wide tires.

Can't see this doing it Mini's not areodynamic enough sadly to say

Plus hope the cooling systems up to scratch its very hot on the salt flats.

RidingLow wrote:Can't see this doing it Mini's not areodynamic enough sadly to say

Plus hope the cooling systems up to scratch its very hot on the salt flats.

It is true that a minis coefficient of drag is poor compared to a modern car, but it's frontal area is tiny. And actual drag is a combination of the two. so a mini is not so bad. Hense the figures above. Which actually equate nicely with a modern car. AND they have made some decent attempts to reduce the drag, lots not visible on that photo.

I don't think they have enough power for 150, but they'll break the record.

Bonneville is a total trip if you love hot rods. These NZ guys will have the best time ever. Look out, Wendover. If you ever get the chance...

Their blurb says its an under-1000cc class car. Looked like the sticker said I/BGCC and I don't know that one, I will need to check the SCTA regs. The last time I ran at Daytona I had a worn/tired engine and I could draft with the 5-speed ITCs and ITDs, they were pulling 110 to 120 by the time we came off the banking. So I am sure a big-power Mini (turbo?) can get over 140 on the salt flats if its got aero aids.

I/BGCC

I = 760CC to 1.0L Blown Gas Competition Coupe

Our US friends way of describing ther class! Gas is petrol (only) as opposed to Alchohol or Nitrous or Nitromethane.

Competition Coupe allows more body mods than production class.

I think they have a second motor for other class attempts. See their Facebook page (Project 64)

I believe Mini Mania had a car on the salt a while ago and went 128 or so (Guessing from memory).

Aero is everything at Bonneville and the altitude makes getting the power harder, lower air density.

They have some great people on their team with good knowledge and skills, so who knows?

Good luck to the Kiwis though!!

graham in aus wrote:I/BGCC

I = 760CC to 1.0L Blown Gas Competition Coupe

Our US friends way of describing ther class! Gas is petrol (only) as opposed to Alchohol or Nitrous or Nitromethane.

Competition Coupe allows more body mods than production class.

I think they have a second motor for other class attempts. See their Facebook page (Project 64)

I believe Mini Mania had a car on the salt a while ago and went 128 or so (Guessing from memory).

Aero is everything at Bonneville and the altitude makes getting the power harder, lower air density.

They have some great people on their team with good knowledge and skills, so who knows?

Good luck to the Kiwis though!!

....YES !!good luck to the kiwis.. the kudos of approaching 150 in a mini..!! u have to smile..glad there arent any obstacles in front of u at that speed !!!... a 30-40 mph frontal smack up in a mini can do more than enough damage.. but with all the tech stuff in that car they should be ok !!!... hope they achieve it !! foxy52

actually the mention of altitude is interesting.....

aparently cycling speed records are easier at altitude, as the wind resistance decreases faster than the bodys ability to breath as altitude rises, I would guess the same may be true with an engine, especially if its turbo/supercharged.

Update from the boys on the salt:

113mph.

Nelson backed off and kept it under 7000rpm. The GPS speedo read 140 at one point but we've no idea how accurate it is yet. Lining up at course 3.

And another update:

So the Cooper was still accelerating when it was timed at 126mph (average for that mile) on run 2.
Sadly something went wrong in the gearbox so out she comes...

And another:

Well, I got that wrong/spoke out too early! Not the gearbox, but a mixed bag of other gremlins - hopefully back out racing Sunday afternoon.

64 mini.

And my tabby cat is an alsatian.

I guess it's a 1964 shell...