Catch up with the latest happenings with the team's Minis in Mini Magazine each month

MkI look-alike

Jon Betts - Minimag Technical Writer

Minis: MkI look-alike, Mini Mayfair, Autograsser Class 1

Jon currently has three Minis in his stable: a MkI look-alike, a Mayfair and a Class 1 Autograss racer. The MkI look-alike is currently off the road for a complete remake which will see the standard 1275 auto engine get slung in the skip and replaced by a mildly tuned 1275 manual engine, but to make things a little more exciting this will be mounted where the old rear seat used to be. This will make the car rear wheel drive rather than the conventional front wheel drive, and no doubt very tail happy! The car will also get a full respray but will retain the old black and orange paint scheme but expect to see plenty of fibreglass and carbon fibre in an effort to make the car as light as possible. A more aggressive race car look is planned but the car will still remain road legal.

Jon's Autograsser

Over the close season the Class 1 Autograsser will be rebuilt as there doesn’t seem to be a straight panel on the car after both Jon and his daughter Robyn competed in the Nottingham Autograss winter series. An engine and gearbox rebuild will also be carried out ready for the start of the season in March 2008. The car was originally built a few years ago by Jon to the NASA regulations and features a full rollcage and a virtually stock 1000cc engine, making it a cheap car to build and run.

Jon's Mini Mayfair

The Mayfair looks like being moved on fairly quickly, Jon has only recently bought this car off eBay but lack of space means it might have to go. There are a few jobs outstanding including sorting the interior out and a few rattles on the front end, but he has added a nice set of Revolution alloys wheels.

Contact Jon minimag@futurenet.co.uk