Circuit racing: Passionate motorsport around the world “made by MINI” // The championships have been decided.

Press Release.

31 October 2014.

Circuit racing: Passionate motorsport around the world “made by MINI” // The championships have been decided.

Munich (DE). The 2014 season is over. The championships have been decided. The MINI brand was represented in many different race series around the world once again this year. The races had plenty of action and passionate wheel-to-wheel battles – very MINI. The venues also suited the classic brand: The races were held on numerous race tracks steeped in tradition and attracted large numbers of fans. We look back at a spectacular race season.

Hockenheim, Nürburgring, Zandvoort – the current and former Formula 1 tracks were just some of the stops on the ADAC Procar Series tour. The MINI John Cooper Works (211 hp, from 0 to 100 in just 6.1 seconds) are in their own class in the touring car series, Division 3. The championship was held on eight race tracks. The two trips abroad – to the Netherlands and to the Red Bull Ring in Austria – were just as much of a highlight as the two races on the weekend of the 24 hour race on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife.

With ten victories, Germany's Steve Kirsch was the dominant driver in the field. With 136 points he was the clear winner of the championship. Kai Jordan (106) had to make do with second place overall, in third place was the champion of the 2013 MINI TROPHY, Thomas Tekaat, who still led the overall standings halfway through the season.

Very British: There was plenty of acceleration once again in the MINI motherland, and battles for every metre. Donington, Brands Hatch and Silverstone – the race calendar of the MINI Challenge UK also visited some illustrious race tracks.

The MINI started in two classes in Great Britain: In the JCW and the Cooper class. After seven race weekends, with 319 points Chris Knox prevailed in the JCW class, the class for the more powerful MINI. Neil Newstead finished second overall, he was leading the championship halfway through the season. The title was defended in the Cooper class: Shane Stoney was crowned champion for the second time in a row, Josh Gollin was in second place, Ricky Page in third.

The MINI trip continues to Southern Europe. The MINI Challenge Italy was held over six race weekends in 2014. Gianluca Calcagni set the tone this year, was a superior champion with 208 points, ahead of Nicola Crocioni (163) and Alessandro Sebasti Scalera (109). There were also spectacular races in this series, on famous race tracks such as the Formula 1 high-speed circuit Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, or the demanding Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Whether high-speed track or meandering roller-coaster: The MINI JCWs were always a pleasure to drive and enthralled the fans.

Action was also guaranteed overseas. In the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC), Team Octane raced a total of eight MINI JCW. Successfully: Michel Sallenbach secured overall victory in the Touring Cars class, Paul Gravel cam fourth overall for Octane. The competitive touring car championship is held in high regard in North America and held a total of seven race weekends in Canada.

MINI will be represented in numerous race series throughout the world once again next year. Action, close battles, and plenty of driving fun will be guaranteed once more. Exactly what you would expect from MINI.

Media Contact.

BMW Sports Communications
Danilo Coglianese
Phone: +49-176-601-72405
E-Mail: danilo.coglianese@bmwgroup.com
Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup-sport.com

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