[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Step one: Apply for a Race License” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
If you don’t already hold a race license, then you’ll need to apply for a license from MSV.<\/p>\n
Start by applying for the ‘Motorsport UK Racing Starter Pack (ARDS)<\/a>‘ from Motorsport UK. Fill out the application and then book your test at your local track.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Step two: Buy\/Build a Race Car or Arrive and Drive with a Team” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n With three classes to choose from, you can start racing in the MINI CHALLENGE at a level and budget to suit you. For beginners, we have the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy running the Cooper Class<\/strong><\/a>. This has a normally aspirated 1.6l engine and is very popular so there’s lots of high action racing. The Championship is popular amongst young drivers and many former drivers have found their way into BTCC.<\/p>\n New for 2024 was the successful introduction of\u00a0JCW Sport<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0designed to bridge the gap between the\u00a0JCW<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Cooper<\/strong>\u00a0classes. Based on the existing F56 JCW, but with a few key changes to aid affordability and create its own performance window, the first season added another element of excitement to the series, with the championship battle going down to the very last race of the season before a winner was crowned.<\/p>\n With the added benefit of being able to convert the car into full JCW spec,\u00a0JCW Sport<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0provides a viable and tangible route onto the TOCA\u00a0 package, sharing the same calendar and grid as the JCW in supporting the BTCC at seven events.<\/p>\n For the more experienced drivers, the ultimate MINI CHALLENGE class is the JCW<\/strong><\/a>. Often compared to a touring car, these are based on the generation 3 model, but unlike the previous MINI CHALLENGE cars, these are built from the ground up to be a race car. The turbocharged engines are fitted with a sequential gearbox and each car is identical. This allows for very close racing.<\/p>\n There are a few ways you can find a car to start racing, depending your budget and whether you would like to own the car or not.<\/p>\n Option 1:<\/strong> Buy a used MINI and convert it into a race prepared car. You can do this for the Cooper. There are teams in the MINI CHALLENGE that can assist you with this process if required, or do it all for you if preferred. To find out more information about choosing the right car to come racing, get in touch <\/a>with us and we can help you with any questions and point you towards the right people to help.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Step three: Enter the MINI CHALLENGE” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Once you have decided which class and car you are going to use for the MINI CHALLENGE, you can apply to enter the series<\/a> and we can provide you with all of the information you’ll need in preparation for your next race.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n You don’t have to have a team to come racing. There are a few ways to run your car, depending on your budget.<\/p>\n You can run your car yourself or have a team look after it. Alternatively you can just Arrive and Drive with a car which is owned by a team.<\/p>\n Take a look at the options below:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Run the car yourself with friends” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You don’t need to be part of a team to race in the MINI CHALLENGE, you can run your car yourself with a little bit of help from family or friends. To make your weekends a little easier, we’ve put together some tips.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Have a team run your own car” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are a number of advantages to having a race team look after you and your car.<\/p>\n If you would prefer to have a team look after you and your car, we can help you find a suitable team<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Arrive and Drive with a Team” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The easiest way to start racing in the MINI CHALLENGE is to organise an Arrive and Drive package with one of the teams.<\/em><\/p>\n To find out more, we have collated a list of MINI CHALLENGE Approved Teams<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We want to ensure you enjoy racing in the MINI CHALLENGE and have teamed up with Driver61 to offer a wealth of free information to new drivers. Track days are great fun and a great way to begin you racing career. You’ll be excited to see what your car (and you) can do on the circuit. You will probably have some questions, perhaps want to know what to expect on your first track day, how to prepare your car and what the rules are for the event. Driver61 has put together a definitive guide<\/strong> for drivers who have limited or no experience and want to learn how to organise and plan a track day.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#c9c9c9″ disabled_on=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”2px” hide_on_mobile=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”] Driver61 have put together a series of video based guides to offer an in-depth look at racing lines, curbs and how to be fast at various tracks. Their professional driver, Scott Mansell, talks us through these points as he highlights points of interest over onboard footage. These guides can be a great resource to study the best lines and get the most of out of the circuits.<\/p>\n Professional driver, Scott Mansell takes us through a series of detailed tutorials so you can do your homework before heading out on track. Develop as a racing driver as efficiently as possible by learning fundamentals including Trail Braking, Managing Understeer, Using Oversteer and many more advanced lessons such as driving at the Limit.<\/p>\n
Option 2:\u00a0<\/strong>Buy a newly converted car that\u2019s been race prepared for the Cooper Class from the MINI CHALLENGE. Or purchase a new car for the JCW Class.
Option 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Arrange an Arrive & Drive Package whereby a team rents you the car, provides support and includes some or all consumables.<\/p>\nRunning your car in the MINI CHALLENGE<\/h1>\n
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FURTHER INFORMATION<\/h1>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”50px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nGUIDE TO TRACK DAYS<\/a><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.minichallenge.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/track-day-guide-3.jpg\")
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\n[\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”50px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nCIRCUIT GUIDES<\/a><\/h2>\n
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