JOINS BRITISH GT AND F3 FOR 2005 - Twelve races over six weekends - Works MINI Cooper S race car upgraded to 210bhp 60% of places already filled
Following its elevation to 'promoted series' by the MSA, the John Cooper Challenge - the highly successful one-make MINI racing formula – has been confirmed as the primary support race series for the British GT and British F3 programme in 2005.
Next season, the Challenge’s fourth, will comprise six double-header race weekends selected from the GT/F3 calendar, across the UK, from April to October. The provisional calendar is as follows:
2 & 3 April Donington
8 May Croft
11 & 12 June Thruxton
25 & 26 June Castle Combe
24 & 25 September Mondello Park, NI
8 & 9 October Silverstone
As well as the elevation in its billing status, the Challenge will also undergo a hike in power too, with its Works MINI Cooper S racers benefiting from a boost in power to 210bhp, in line with the road car’s upgrade. As in 2004, the championship grid will comprise both the ‘S’ and the 133bhp Works MINI Cooper categories.
There will be a total of thirty starting spots available: the split anticipated to be twelve Works MINI Cooper S and eighteen Works MINI Coopers. Having only recently informed this year’s competitors of the changes, eighteen places have already been filled by racers returning to the series for 2005.
On the administrative front, in order to bring the John Cooper Challenge closer to John Cooper Works’ automotive operation, the Challenge Office will be managed for 2005 by Alan Maynard (Championship Coordinator) and Paul Harvey (Technical Coordinator).
Harvey has an in-depth understanding of the Cooper business, having previously worked as a test driver and on engine and chassis research and development for the company, as well as driving the factory-backed Cooper S at the Nurburgring 24hr race for the last two years. Both have many years’ motorsport experience behind them including running race series, race teams, corporate track days and racing themselves.
John Cooper Works Managing Director, Mike Cooper, who created the Challenge in 2002 as a tribute to his late father’s longstanding association with Mini and motorsport, is thrilled with the changes for 2005:
‘It was a revelation at the end of this season to see how many motorsport organisers were keen to run the Challenge as a support race. We have always prided ourselves on the professional management and presentation of our series and it has obviously not gone unnoticed. I am personally looking forward to 2005.'
Stephane Ratel, Managing Director of SRO, is excited to have secured the John Cooper Challenge as a popular support series for British GT and F3:
‘The John Cooper Challenge has packed out its grids with MINIs since its inception in 2002. It produces consistently close and exciting racing, which works well for competitors, spectators and TV. It’s great that they’re on board.’
Gary Robertshaw, the 2004 John Cooper Challenge Club Class Champion, is determined to join those already signed up for the 2005 start grid, following the announcement of the changes:
‘I was already looking for the backing to step up to ‘S’ Class for 2005. The fact that we’ll now be running alongside the GT and F3 programme should make a big difference for prospective sponsors, with a great day’s racing and hospitality assured at every round.'
