World's quickest MINI gets quicker
We reported on Fireball Tim Racing's MINI dragster before its debut at Pomona in October. Teething problems hobbled
the car in Pomona, but last weekend the FTR MINI really showed its stuff at the Import Drag Racing Circuit's
International Finals at Los Angeles County Raceway. The car posted an 11.26 second quarter with a top speed of 121.1
mph. (That's with no nitrous, folks!) FTR figures that at sea level the car should be capable of about 10.8 at 126
mph.
According to FTR's Herbie Fuh, "That we are putting this kind of performance to the ground with a bone-stock
drivetrain outside of performance pistons and the turbo shows that this is one mighty tough motor." No kidding!
If you're in the L.A. area, you'll get a chance to see the car at Hot Import Nights on December 3. Check out
Fireball Tim's blog for more info on his stable of hot MINIs.
[Source: BMW Motorsport, Fireball Tim]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Strom 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Sweet! That's pretty quick for a 1.6l with a stock block and FWD.
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ZoomZoomin' 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
That we are putting this kind of performance to the ground with a bone-stock drivetrain outside of performance pistons and the turbo shows that this is one mighty tough motor.
My MINI's motor proved to be pretty solid. Its Getrag transmission?...not so much.
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Max 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
That is one wicked MINI. My hat is off to those guy's. To get that kind of power to the ground it takes alot of work. Love that paint job.
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Adrian 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Why would anyone replace pistons and not the con-rods? Then things like ARP studs, etc .. it just wouldn't make sense to tear open an engine and not put in these parts.
Of course, you could run 10 sec ET's on a FWD Eclipse GST pretty easily .. just a big turbo, some slicks and some fuel management. Oh, and a clutch.
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TheChaz 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
I love how drag racers will describe an engine as "bone stock... except for performance pistons." As if that isn't a major freakin' alteration to the motor.
"Yeah, it's bone stock, except for the head, and the pistons, and the valvetrain, and the headers, and the turbo, and the nitrous, and the block. The head gasket is dead bone stock, though!"
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