Video: Running the 'Ring in reverse in a VTEC'd Mini
Click above to watch the video after the jump
The Nurburgring is the gold standard for any track not comprised of a banked oval, and it's a blast to watch dashboard-mounted video of various vehicles taking on the best the Nordschleife has to offer. We typically share with you videos of ZR-1s and GT-Rs, but this time we have something a bit different. Achim Korden and co-pilot Guido Heindl of ringmini.de fame run the 'Ring in reverse in an old school Mini (1971 Clubman Estate) equipped with a 1.6-liter Honda drivetrain, and they mean business.
Hit the jump to watch the little Mini battle a rain-soaked Nordschleife while starting at the end and making their way to the beginning. It's an odd experience and further proof that you don't need to have big power to have big fun.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Raaj 4:39PM (3/09/2010)
WTH? Link bait?
It is a Mini going on the 'Ring in the reverse direction. Not a Mini driving on the 'Ring in reverse!
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Rich 5:00PM (3/09/2010)
I read it the same way.
The 'Ring, reversed; not the 'Ring *in* reverse. Jeesh, learn English, Shunk!
Rich 5:02PM (3/09/2010)
I read it the same way.
"The Ring, reversed"; not "The Ring *in* reverse"!
(Given that my first attempt at posting was rejected, it seems the author's name is counted as a swear, now.)
zamafir 5:04PM (3/09/2010)
Really guys? Really?
The only link bait going on here is a panel mini with vtec swap, to a mini nut, it couldn't be any nuttier.
RowFive 7:33AM (3/10/2010)
Honda engine swaps into old Minis aren't all that uncommon, though this is the first transplant I've seen with a panel van. I'm sure the power is nice, but I hate what it does to the look-- the track up front is way too wide. I'll bet it's a kick in the pants to drive, though.
leftlaneabuse 4:46PM (3/09/2010)
Yes, it's much more rewarding and fun to push a small HP car to its limit than a large HP car to your limit.
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Geekengineer 7:48PM (3/09/2010)
Well said, leftlaneabuse, well said.
james 5:54AM (3/10/2010)
That is the most perfect sentence in automotive history. Read EVO magazine, you'll like it.
jkendall 4:48PM (3/09/2010)
Interesting to see a lap of the 'Ring in that direction. My first thought was there's one hell of a lot of stub ended Armco barrier facing the driver that would not be nice to come in contact with.
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Bloke 4:51PM (3/09/2010)
That isn't a Mini Clubman estate - it's a Mini 1000 van, derived from the old Traveller before the days of the original Clubman.
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MGS4TW 4:55PM (3/09/2010)
Note:
A "ZR-1" is the name for the top of the line C4 Corvette, the new one in the video is a "ZR1", the moniker given to the C6 version.
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MikeW 5:06PM (3/09/2010)
Anti-clockwise for the loss.
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ytilanigiroon 5:48PM (3/09/2010)
Over 10 minutes in a heavily modified car, and Sabine Schmitz did it quicker in a stripped down Transit... I'm not impressed by this, but it was fun forgetting the turns with the course being driven the wrong way.
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Dr.Pro 7:19PM (3/09/2010)
...
I suppose the fact that it was raining during the mini's run, might have had something to do with that...
storm8ring3r 5:58PM (3/09/2010)
It really has taken you this long to find out about the Ring-Mini? B16A2, same as my car
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havoc 7:14PM (3/09/2010)
one of my desires ss for a b18c5 mini... then toss on an m62 and a hondata 2b.
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FitFan 11:45PM (3/09/2010)
If you need to use wipers you're not driving fast enough! :)
Cool video; I want that car.
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ImSteevin 11:57PM (3/09/2010)
Honda powered Mini, Represent!
K20A here, in back.
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nrb 11:54AM (3/10/2010)
So anytime anyone videos a 'ring run, AB is going to post it?
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