Filed under: Motorsports
Honey, I shrunk the race car: MitJet Series races mini Vipers, Porsches, BMWs
Looking like Legends racers for the Euro set, Mitjet has been running a racing series in France and Spain that uses miniature replica bodies from famous sportscars sitting atop dedicated racing chassis. At first they really look like those photoshops of shrunken exotic cars that are so popular as avatars. But they are very real as the video will show. And fun too. Unlike the Legends cars that mimic the styling of classic American stock cars from the '30s, however, the Mitjet racers look like Touring Car Shrinky Dinks.
The current lineup includes your choice of the BMW M6, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper, Renault Megane or Seat Leon. Where the Legends series uses Yamaha 1200 cc motors putting out about 125 hp, the Mitjets run the newer 1300 XJR engine that produces 150 hp. The Mitjets weigh about the same (1,100 pounds) as the Legends. They should do the 0-100 km sprint in about 3.6 seconds and have a top speed of around 210 km/h (130 mph). The cars run about 25,000 Euro ($33,000) and you have to commit to at least two races to run the series, which adds another 2,300 Euro. The site seems to be down at the moment, but mitjet-series.com has all the details about pricing and the 6-race series. Watch a video after the jump.
[Sources: Mitjet, Motorpasion, Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christopher 8:04PM (12/27/2006)
We have these too in Australia, modelled on the Falcons and Commodores and some old car that I can't think of. They're pretty much as fast as V8 Supercars on most tracks because the V8's are so ridiculously ancient and heavy.
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Brett Ramsey 8:34PM (12/27/2006)
A similar series here in Australia has been stunningly successful over the past few years. The "Aussie Racing Cars" (catchy title) have saved many a V8 Supercar meeting from falling into total tedium. At Bathurst they're just plain scary, and they have just been announced as a support race on both the Australian Grand Prix card and the Champcars on the Gold Coast.
The website is at http://www.aussieracingcars.com.au
There is also video from one of the teams at YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNRhXbMO9ds
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Supercujo 9:17PM (12/27/2006)
Those Aussie Racing cars are amazing little beasts. So damn quick.
Four body shapes are used, Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Classic Holden (modified FJ) and Classic Ford (modified 32 I think).
Great racing and cheap to get into. $30K will buy you a used car.
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Andy 11:58PM (12/27/2006)
Dumb, but cute.
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Matt W 1:22AM (12/28/2006)
Wouldn't you rather just have a Radical with a great aero package and no commitment to race?
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GDUB 10:06AM (12/28/2006)
So sweet finally toy race cars that a normal human can drive. I will take a case please.
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Jesse 10:51PM (12/29/2006)
Awesome! Looks like tons of fun. Matt W, no...I wouldn't rather have a Radical. Grippy slicks and great aero might be the best setup for maximum laptimes, but if you watch the video, the less-aero Mit-Jet with hard tires looks like sooooo much fun to drive. The guy at the wheel makes it look easy and forgiving, which it may not neccessarily be, but it certainly would be a very involving experience, and quite possibly easier to drive fast than a Radical. Better styling than the Legends cars we have here in the States, too.
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