News - Page 3 of 185 - CCK Historic

June 30, 2020September 30, 2020

1994 Mini Cooper Group A Rally Car

Lockdown at CCK was largely spent building this Group A Mini Cooper historic rally car. The owner of the car came to us with a vision. He wanted a fully legal Group A rally car, just like the ones Rover used with Paddy Hopkirk when they returned to Monte Carlo in 1994.

The body shell was fully restored and prepped here at CCK. We also built the engine and wired up the single point fuel injection with a new ECU. The car was a delight to build and has already proved to perform well after extensive road tests and a trip to Brands Hatch. As the engine has been run-in we’ve had the car on the rolling road twice for mapping. It’s making a very healthy 114bhp. All that’s left to do now is to get this Group A Mini Cooper rally car dirty.

May 15, 2020May 15, 2020

NEW: WOSPerformance Competition Starter Motors and Alternators for Classic Mini

Introducing a new range of high performance starter motors and alternators from WOSPerformance for your classic Mini competition and road cars.

The all new compact, high torque starter motor is based on OE Denso internals. It features anti-vibration washers and a re-wound uprated solenoid. Additionally, it has a supported motor assembly to combat any vibration issues and is built to withstand the rigours of motorsport. Two models are available (difference in pinion gear) to suit inertia and pre-engage type flywheels. From Mk1 all the way through to A+ injection engines.

The new range of alternators feature CNC machined billet aluminium housings. The OE Denso internals have been uprated and anchored in place to withstand harmonic vibrations. The RACE and FIA versions are a lightweight compact replacement for the Lucas ACR. Both are available in 50amp and 90amp. Additionally, we also have a slightly bigger RALLY version. It has a weather proof connector and is available in 95amp and 175amp. Both come standard with a high-sided, hard-anodised pulley to help prevent the fan belt from turning over.

Also from WOSP is a new lightweight, high-sided aluminium water pump pulley. It has also been designed to eliminate the fan belt turning over or being thrown off.

If you want the very best for your classic Mini road, race or rally car then look no further than WOSPerformance. Available now through CCK Historic.

May 15, 2020May 15, 2020

Some TLC for the Ginetta G4

Seeing as we are not racing at the moment it was decided to give the Ginetta G4 some much needed TLC. Ian Burford has relished this little orange racer since he bought it in 2015. Usually racing with the HSCC’s Historic Road Sports the Ginetta G4 has proved to be fast, fun and reliable. Over the years, however, the fibreglass body has picked up some cracks, scratches and rashes. He thought it best time we patch it up and repaint it.

Most of the body comes off which made it easier to deal with. The cracks in the fibreglass have all been prepared. Next, we stripped down the old paint and prepared the panels for a fresh coat in the same shade of bright orange. Ian will be itching to get back out on track so we’re all hoping that racing can resume soon.

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020

Mini Cooper 1275 rally engine build

Every competition car needs a competition engine so we set about building this 1275cc Mini engine into a Mini rally engine. First, we stripped it down to inspect and measure it. The block and cylinder head were then chemically cleaned. The cylinder head was pressure tested before being ported and modified according to the FIA Group A homologation. It received bronze valve guides and stainless steel competition valves at the correct size. Lastly the head was skimmed to bring the compression ratio up.

The engine block was rebored by +0.020″ to 1293cc. The maximum capacity for the Group A homologation. The crankshaft was ground and the centre main cap was machined for s strap. All gallery plugs were drilled and tapped for threaded plugs and core plug retainers were fitted. The rotating assembly was balanced before we began assembly. We chose to use an SW10 camshaft with duplex vernier timing gears. Additionally, we chose to use ARP bolts and studs throughout the build. Most of the parts were supplied by Mini Sport.

The gearbox was rebuilt with straight cut close ratio gears. We also installed a limited slip differential and 3.9:1 final drive. The engine was mated to the gearbox and a set of straight cut drop gears were fitted.

When this Mini rally engine build is complete we will install it in the car with the original SPI inlet manifold and throttle body and an aftermarket ECU to get the tuning spot on.

April 27, 2020May 1, 2020

Group A Mini Cooper rally car build

We’ve been busy building this 1994 Mini Cooper Group A rally car for a customer. We started with a genuine Rover Mini Cooper SPI body shell which was surprisingly good. After repairing and replacing any rusted panels the body was seam welded. As well as seam welding we reinforced various weak points. Rally cars have to put up with a lot of abuse so reinforcing and strengthening the body shell is very important. Then we test fit the Safety Devices roll cage and welded in the counter plates for the feet. Then the body was media blasted before being prepped and primed. Next, we applied seam sealer before spraying the flame red top coat and white roof.

Following the body preparation and paint we began to assemble the car starting with the subframes. Both front and rear Mini subframes were seam welded and painted black prior to assembly. The subframes were assembled using the homologated components for a Group A rally car. This includes adjust tie rods and lower arms. Additionally, the homologation papers allow for 4-pot Metro brake calipers and finned alloy brake drums.

When complete the car will be just like the Group A Mini Cooper that competed in the Monte Carlo rally in 1994 with Paddy Hopkirk.