The new 275bhp machine will form the top class of the MINI Challenge from next year and is expected to take the championship to a new level of speed and professionalism.
Built with technical assistance from the MINI factory in Oxford, the F56 is a far more race-bred machine than the current R56 JCW. It runs a new two-litre turbocharged engine, a six-speed stick shift sequential gearbox and a full motorsport ECU and Cosworth dash system. The new engine peaks at 275bhp and generates 430Nm of torque – more than an S2000 spec touring car.
The first batch of 35 machines are about to start the build process, supported by Power Maxed MINI Challenge sponsors – Corbeau, Alcon, Powerflex, DNA Tuning, Forge, Mintex and Luke. The cars will be built from a new 6,000sq-ft facility in Norfolk, reflecting the large investment by series organisers dedicated to making the MINI Challenge the benchmark single-make saloon series in the country.
MINI Challenge promoter Antony Williams said: “The F56 will be a big step forward for the championship, both in terms of speed and skill. The new engine is remarkable and is easily capable of producing well over 300bhp when pushed. We won’t run to that level to ensure reliability, but it shows that this new MINI is a very capable machine.
“It’s a much more race-bred car than the R56, which runs a road ECU. This car has only a third of the electronic sensors the R56 has. It’s a pure racing car. The torque levels are also huge, and actually far more than an S2000 touring car. We’ve yet to decide the final specification, but the car has run perfectly on the rolling road testing at the stated power and torque levels. We should see the series’ lap times lowered by at least two-seconds and possibly a lot more.”
The F56 is 100mm longer and 100mm wider in race trim than the older R56, with an increase in tyre size of 20mm to 245mm. The car will cost around £30,000+ VAT in ready-to-race form and budgets will be controlled via the use of control parts and strict tyre limits.
The new F56 cars will form the top class of the MINI Challenge, with the R56 cars being retained in a sub-division above the current Cooper Class, giving up-and-coming drivers a three-rung ladder to progress up the MINI Challenge ranks.
The new car will make its public debut before the end of the season and will begin an intensive testing programme in the Autumn. For more information and to register interest please contact [email protected].
