CCK Historic. - How to Prepare a Historic Racing Mini

HOW TO PREPARE A HISTORIC

RACING MINI

HOW TO PREPARE A HISTORIC

RACING MINI

CLASSIC CARS OF KENT LTD

WITH DANIEL H. LACKEY

WITH CONTRIBUTIONS BY JEREMY WALTON

THE CROWOOD PRESS

First published in 2018 by

The Crowood Press Ltd

Ramsbury, Marlborough

Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book first published in 2018

The Crowood Press Ltd 2018

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of thistext may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 78500 382 0

Classic Cars of Kent Ltd is grateful for the contributions to this book made by Jeremy Walton

Photography CCK Historic

contents

acknowledgements

From the very start of this project we all agreed on what we wanted to achieve. We wanted this book to target the grass roots competitor and unpack all of the regulations that define pre-1966 Mini racing and in particular those in the FIAs Appendix K. We wanted to show exactly what it takes to build and compete in a historic racing Mini so that we might inspire a new generation of historic Mini racers. We decided we would build and compete in our own car and use it to illustrate this book. We wanted to showcase the parts, manufacturers and suppliers we believe in and highlight some of the businesses and individuals who help to support a thriving Mini racing industry. We could not have done any of this if it was not for the huge amount of support we received.

First and foremost, a very special thanks to Chris Harper of Mini Sport. Chris has championed this project from the very start and provided the impetus to really get it going. His support is what made all of this possible. Hes one of the hardest-working individuals Ive had the pleasure of working with and his relentless commitment to the classic Mini industry is truly commendable.

A special thanks also needs to go to Jeremy Walton. His initial contributions helped to set the tone and the format of the book. His wealth of experience in both motor sport and journalism has given him a unique insight and his style and sense of humour are always appreciated.

Wed like to thank Nick Paddy and Bill Sollis for believing in the project and for supporting our endeavour to appeal to the grass roots Mini racers. Their help and support at the circuit was invaluable. Nicks done more for the international Mini community than anyone else and his support of this book has been most appreciated. Bills contributions in testing and setting up the handling of our car were tremendous. There are not many racers out there with Bills level of experience or success, so we really appreciate the time we spent with him.

We are truly grateful to photographer Gary Hawkins. A true gentleman and one of the best motor-sport photographers in the UK. Weve known Gary Hawkins for many years and worked with him many times. His professionalism and the quality of his work are second to none. All of the action photos taken at Brands Hatch during testing and racing were taken by Gary.

Id like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Mark Forster, particularly for his contributions to the Mk1 Mini community and the racing history of the Mini. He has kindly contributed to this book his knowledge, expertise and historical fact-checking. His passion and commitment are rare and cannot go without mention. Also to some individuals from the group of Mk1 Mini enthusiasts at www.mk1-forum.net. Ed Dickson, for making his 850cc Super Deluxe available for photographs and Pete Flanagan and Stuart Watson for kindly providing some additional historical photos and some current club racing photos. Id also like to give mention to Barry Hawkins, a pivotal member of Downton Engineering from 1962 and a pioneering Mini racer. Weve used some wonderful photographs of Barry racing his Mini back in the 1960s.

Every Mini racer in the world has a debt to pay to the legendary Smokin John Rhodes, the charming hooligan who took immense pleasure trashing the pants off of Mini Coopers throughout the 1960s. His devastation of Dunlop tyres inspired the thousands that came to the circuit to watch him and continues to inspire Mini racers and enthusiasts today. Thank you, John.

foreword

MINI MEMORIES THAT LIVE ON TODAY

Although I was an established single-seater driver before racing a Mini and went on to drive other saloon and sports cars at Le Mans, it is the Mini Cooper S era that sticks in the memories of motor-racing followers. I am grateful for the seasons of satisfying success with Cooper Car Company. The 1300cc class wins we recorded together in the British Saloon Car Championship from 1965 to 1968 live on in many memories, together with images of our Racing Green Cooper S types with their distinctive white bonnet stripes.

Millions watched my appearances in TV rallycross with Abingdon-prepared Minis, but it was very hard to tell which Mini was winning under thick layers of mud!

The Mini was a popular car all round the world, so that I also won a European Touring Car title with the Cooper S in 1968. I enjoyed our outings in Europe with the legendary Mini at circuits such as the equally legendary Nrburgring, for racing remained a pleasurable sport on and off track. It was a joy to drive for John Cooper; his success in Formula 1 ensured my car would be competitive.

I should explain my unique driving style, aiming to get the fastest cornering speed from tyres with little adhesion. The car was set up to induce oversteer on lifted throttle, so it would oversteer at the apex of a corner with reduced application of the accelerator. Quickly flooring the throttle to prevent a spin would pull the Mini around the corner in a drift with tyres ablaze, hence my nickname Smokin John Rhodes.

I called Ginger Devlin, my team manager, Ginge. He would say: Dont bother changing Rhodes brake pads he doesnt use them only the tyres. I thank Ginge for all the other efforts he made to get the success we achieved in the Mini Coopers.

All that was some fifty years ago, so it gives me equal pleasure to see that the Cooper Minis are still out there earning crowd applause in classic racing events. I think it still gives spectators huge pleasure to see a Mini jostling for track position against the bigger cars, embarrassing even the large American V8s when it is wet. David is still a winning spectacle against Goliath!

I think we owe a vote of thanks to outfits like CCK Historic in Sussex who keep the faith, preparing such excellent examples of the Mini that this book could be based on their knowledge and expertise. The recreation of my 1966 Mini, beautifully built by Shaun Rainford and his team at CCK, has incorporated many key period parts with generous help from my old team manager. Having driven many of Shauns cars at the Goodwood Revival, I know his future success is assured.

My best wishes to CCK and readers of this book, and long may the Mini continue to amaze us all with its exploits! I hope you all have as much fun and racing pleasure as I did with that very special little box of tricks