BMW CCA CLUB RACING MINI Spec Classes 2003 Rules

1. Introduction

These rules specify all approved items and modifications for the MINI Spec Classes. If not specifically allowed, any modification or preparation beyond the as-manufactured, factory stock level is prohibited. There are five groups of approved items for use in the MINI Spec Classes:

1. Items specified as mandatory for safety. These items are required to be eligible to compete in the Spec Classes and must be installed. The items may have a specified source or allow open sourcing.
2. Items specified as mandatory for performance leveling. These items are required to be eligible to compete in the Spec Classes and must be installed. These items have a specified source.
3. Items listed as either standard or optional on the official MINI USA factory equipment list except when replacement is mandatory by under either paragraph 1 or 2 above. When approved substitute items are available in groups 4 or 5 below, they typically offer a performance improvement and are highly recommended
4. Approved optional items that have a specified vendor. These items are optional for installation, but if installed must have been acquired from the specified vendor(s). Otherwise identical items purchased from any other vendor(s) are NOT approved and will result in disqualification.
5. Approved items where the vendor is unspecified. These items may be purchased from any vendor.

2. Intent

The intent of these rules is to establish that all cars competing under those rules are constructed and modified within clear parameters to ensure an even competitive environment. The purpose is to place the emphasis on driving skills while offering a finite capital expenditure. The performance modifications allowed will not exceed those found on a typical, street-legal car operated by an automotive enthusiast.

3. Eligible Vehicles

The MINI Cooper (non-CVT) and MINI Cooper S manufactured by BMW are the only vehicles eligible for this series. The following models are eligible and will compete in separate classes:

1. MINI Cooper
2. MINI Cooper S

4. Sanctioning Body

The MINI Spec Classes operate in racing events sanctioned by BMW CCA Club Racing, and are governed by all rules, regulations and licensing requirements of BMW CCA Club Racing. The only rules specific to the MINI Spec Classes are those regarding technical preparation issues

5. Safety

All safety standards not otherwise specified in this Rules Supplement will conform to those contained in the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules. Where conflicts between the rules found in the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules and the rules contained herein, the MINI Spec Classes rules shall supercede the conflicting rules found in the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules.

6. Rollcage

All participating vehicles shall have bolt in roll cages only, and must conform to the requirements of the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules (Safety, Section 3 and Appendix A). Welding of cages to the chassis at any point is prohibited. The doors and their interior panels may not be altered for installation of door bars. The rear seat must be retained in its entirety.

7. Classes

There will be two separate MINI Spec classes. One class will be for the MINI Cooper and one class for the MINI Cooper S. Each class will be scored independently for points and all other considerations. The two classes may race as a single run group or concurrently with other BMW CCA Club Racing classes. The decision to race as a separate run group is based upon event operational economics and race group population. Prior to the event, Competition Steward and the event organizers will confer on whether a separate run group is justified or required. Safety issues will always take the highest priority.

8. Modifications

1. Appearance Requirements

1. The Tire Rack windshield banner is mandatory and shall be the only item displayed on the windshield. It shall be centered on the windshield and fully visible.
2. The Mini Mania decals shall be prominently displayed on both rear quarter panels of the racecar. It must be aligned horizontally with the center of the respective rear quarter window and centered vertically between a line extending from the top of the rear wheel well and the bottom of the window.
3. Car numbers are to be displayed on the SSF number boards. The leading edge of the number board shall be one inch aft of the front edge of the respective door and the centered vertically on the door.
4. All other sponsor decals declared as mandatory by BMW CCA Club Racing for the MINI Spec classes shall be displayed in the location and manner specified.
5. Vehicles may be painted in any color or design so long as appearance of the finish is equivalent in quality to OEM paint.
6. Only OEM window tinting is allowed.

2. Body

1. Hood pins are permitted.
2. Headlight covers are mandatory and a sole-source item.
3. No aerodynamic improvements are allowed beyond pieces offered on the official MINI USA standard or optional equipment lists. Cars not originally fitted with such pieces by MINI USA may retrofit using only the factory stock or optional MINI USA pieces. Should MINI USA offer additional aerodynamic pieces in future production years, those pieces may be retrofitted to prior production years. Reproduction pieces are not allowed.
4. Fenders and wheel openings shall remain unmodified.
5. Two-way radio communication is not permitted.
6. All chassis and structure repair must be accomplished in accordance with factory specifications and the original OEM configuration.

3. Interior

1. A seat conforming to the requirements of the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules may replace the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Factory seat tracks may be modified, reinforced or removed to facilitate replacement mountings provided they perform no other function. All seats with a racing restraint harness installed must comply with BMW CCA Club Racing Rules (Safety Section, Paragraph 4).
2. A restraint harness conforming to the requirements of the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules (Safety, Paragraph 4) must be installed for the driver's seat. Mounting hardware is free.
3. A window net conforming to the requirements of the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules (Safety, Paragraph 7) must be installed. The net, installation method and mounting hardware are free.
4. Gauges may be added. They may be installed in any location using a secure method of attachment. Existing gauges may not be obstructed, removed or replaced.
5. All carpeting must remain in place except for removal of an area to allow a metal-to-metal installation of the rollcage mounts. The area of carpet removed may not exceed the size of the rollcage footing by more than ½" in any dimension.
6. All window and sunroof (if installed) operating mechanisms must remain intact in the OEM format, and function as delivered from the factory.
7. The doors and interior door panels may not be altered from factory OEM configuration. Rollcage installations must accommodate the stock door panels.
8. Interior mirrors are free.
9. Pedal kits are free.

4. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems

1. If so equipped, the AC compressor must remain in the factory stock location with drive belts but may be electrically disconnected.
2. All other pieces including ducting and controls must remain as delivered in factory stock format, function and configuration.

5. Weight

1. All weight measurements will be made without driver. The racecar is required to meet the minimum weight requirement at all times during an event.

6. Engine

1. Unless otherwise specified herein, all engines, components, and parts must have been offered for sale on the respective MINI model as a listed item on the MINI USA published equipment list, either as a standard or optional item.
2. All engines and their internal components must remain stock, except as provided by these rules, and within factory specified tolerances.
3. Balancing or lightening of engine parts and components is prohibited.
4. Engine rebuilding is allowed. All replacement parts must be exactly as stock in form, function, shape, configuration and weight except for piston diameter, rod and crank bearing thickness, and their respective bearing journals. For rebuilding purposes, all crank bearing surfaces may be machined to 2nd service undersize and the appropriate OEM (or exact equivalent) bearings may be used.
5. Engine may be bored to the standard 1st service oversize. No head or block shaving (resurfacing) or other alterations are allowed beyond the factory service limits.
6. Fluids and filters are free.
7. No modifications or alterations between the air filter and the exit of the catalytic converter(s) is permitted except as above.
8. All pulleys and belt sizes are to remain as factory stock.
9. The specified cold air intake kit is permitted and is a sole-source item.
10. The ECU (electronic control unit) and its programming shall remain as factory stock.
11. OBDII access ports shall remain stock in location and function.

7. Transmission/Differential

1. Fluids and filters are free.

8. Induction System

1. The stock air filter housing must be used. The filter element is free.
2. No alterations, either mechanical or through electrically operated functions, are allowed on the supercharger on the Cooper S model.

9. Ignition System

1. All ignition components, including spark plug wires, must be as factory stock.
2. Spark plugs are free.

10. Exhaust System

1. The stock configuration from the exhaust ports through the catalytic converter(s) must be used.
2. The exhaust system from the catalytic converter may be replaced by the sole-source spec system provided by Mini Mania.

11. Brakes

1. Brake pads and fluid are free.
2. Brake lines may be replaced with stainless steel lines, and are a sole-source item.
3. The factory stock brake rotors may be replaced by the optional drilled rotors and are a sole-source item. No alterations to the stock or optional spec rotors are allowed, other than cryogenic treatment.

12. Wheels/Tires

1. The only allowed wheels are [To Be Announced] brand wheels, and are a sole-source item. No alterations to the spec wheel are allowed. Spacers are not permitted.
2. The only allowed tires are the [To Be Announced] and are a sole-source item. All tires used in the series must have The Tire Rack markings.
3. The spec tires may be shaved to a minimum tread depth of ¼ inch.

13. Suspension

1. Shocks shall be the [To Be Announced] and are a sole-source item. Mounting location and method must remain as stock. No alterations to the spec shocks, such as re-valving, are allowed.
2. Springs shall be the [To Be Announced] and are a sole-source item. No alterations to the spec springs are allowed.
3. The rear sway bar shall be a sole-source item. No alteration to the spec sway bar is allowed.
4. Adjustable rear control arms shall be a sole-source item. No alterations to the spec rear control arms are allowed.

9. Specified Components

The MINI Spec classes require certain items provided by two vendors, The Tire Rack and Mini Mania. Other items from these two vendors that are designated as optional may be installed at the racer's discretion. The mandatory and optional package components are detailed below. Those items that are designated as sole-source items will be identifiable through special markings, serial number sequences or other methods. Otherwise identical items acquired from other than the designated supplier are not legal. Alterations or modifications of any kind to spec items are not allowed.