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Author: Olly

  • F56 MINI FAST MODS

    It’s hard to believe the F56 MINI has been with us for seven years, what’s less surprising is how well they react to modifications. Here’s our F56 MINI fast mods guide.

    It’s funny how we still refer to the BMW MINI as the ‘new’ MINI considering it turns 20 next year. Of course, BMW have given us many incarnations since those early MINI Ones and Coopers but the current model, the F56 is amongst the best and has become a firm favourite with us modifiers. There’s literally hundreds of BMW MINI specialists out there, so who should you choose? Well, you pick the one with the best reputation, heritage and the most respected name in BMW tuning, I am of course, referring to German giants, AC Schnitzer.

    Based in Aachen (the AC in AC Schnitzer) Germany, AC Schnitzer have been tuning BMWs and MINIs for over 30 years. Over 1700 products are distributed to 30 countries and through approximately 60 dealers in the UK and Ireland, around half of which are BMW / MINI main dealers. A similar situation exists in Germany, where 40 BMW dealers are authorised to sell and fit AC Schnitzer products.

    F56 MINI FAST MODSF56 MINI FAST MODS

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    AC Schnitzer are a premium brand, manufacturing for current models only in the following product areas; performance upgrades, suspension, aerodynamic parts in PU and carbon fibre, sports exhausts and downpipes, alloy wheels (cast, flow-formed and forged) and interior accessories.

    All AC Schnitzer parts are designed to meet or exceed OEM quality with industry-leading warranty support and are therefore described as “beyond the standard”! And here’s just a small sample of what they have to offer for the F56 MINI…

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  • 1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport featured on Jay Leno’s Garage

    Jay Leno is a big fan of Bugattis. On a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, he featured one of the many cars from the French firm in his collection, a 1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport.

    Today, it’s hard to imagine Bugatti producing an entry-level model, but that’s what the Type 40 was, according to Leno. That didn’t mean Bugatti skimped on engineering, though. The 70-horsepower 1.5-liter inline-4 engine has an overhead cam design, three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust), and twin Solex carburetors. It’s based on the engine from the Bugatti Type 37, while the chassis is derived from Type 38 underpinnings, Leno noted.

    That parts-bin rummaging helped keep costs down, according to Leno. He said the only part specific to the Type 40 is the radiator. The car also has only one door, which likely saved Bugatti a bit of money. The smooth wheel covers were fashionable at the time, but may not have been installed at the factory, Leno said.

    1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport on Jay Leno's Garage

    1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport on Jay Leno’s Garage

    Leno got this car from enthusiast Robert C. Dunlap, one of the founders of the American Bugatti Club. The Type 40 still wears its club medallion with the number “3,” signifying that it was the third car registered with the club, which continues to keep a register of all Bugattis known to exist in North America to this day.

    When the club was founded in 1960, used Bugattis were still relatively affordable, as interest was largely restricted to a handful of collectors. Those collectors could be fanatical. Fritz Schlumpf bought 30 Bugattis at once for a planned museum. That plan fell through, but part of the collection formed the basis for a second museum started with French government backing, and many are on public display today.

    The days of buying so many Bugattis at once are likely over. A trio of classic Bugattis—including a 1937 Type 57S Atalante, a 1934 Type 59 Sports, and a 1928 Type 35C Grand Prix—are headed to auction in September. The Type 59 Sports alone is expected to fetch more than $13 million.

    As is his usual practice, Jay finishes the episode with a drive on Los Angeles streets. He keeps the top up and says he never took it down because it fits so well. Jay says the car is lively and it feels more powerful than it is, though the straight-cut gears make for grinding gear changes. Check out the video above for more on this unique piece of French motoring history.

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  • POWER MAXED RACING TO RETURN TO BTCC SEASON

    Power Maxed Racing have today announced their intention to complete the rest of the 2020 British Touring Car Championship, albeit with one car rather than the usual two.

    The Warwickshire-based team will field one of their race winning Vauxhall Astras for the remaining 7 rounds of the season, giving a number of up and coming drivers the opportunity to get to grips with the successful front-wheel-drive machinery.

    Mike Bushell will be first up, piloting the Astra at Oulton Park and Knockhill, as part of a development programme the Warwickshire-based team have put together with the 2x Clio Cup UK Champion.

    Bushell is no stranger to the BTCC grid, having scored numerous Top-10 finishes over the last few years, as well as stepping in for Sam Tordoff during the 2019 campaign.

    Power Maxed RacingPower Maxed Racing

    As an accomplished motorsport engineer, having previously run Tordoff’s Honda Civic, Bushell will be engineering the Astra for the remainder of the 2020 season, also doubling up as driver coach, as Power Maxed Racing look to field a number of highly accomplished British drivers throughout the year.

    With Jason Plato confirmed for the 2021 season, as well as all existing team partners, the team are keen to use this year as an opportunity to recognise the talents of a number of drivers from the upper echelons of British motorsport, as well as support the championship through the toughest year its ever faced.

    Team Principal Adam Weaver – “Our announcement at the start of the season to temporarily withdraw from the BTCC was, as we said at the time, only intended to be for a few rounds. After just two rounds away from the paddock, and with the grid seemingly stronger than ever this year, we simply couldn’t wait to step back into the mix. We’d like to thank all our fans for their support, and we’re excited to get back out on track and give you what you want to see!”

    Mike Bushell – “PMR have proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with since they started racing in 2015, and I’m excited to be working with them this season. Martin and his team have put together a great car, as proven by multiple race wins, and I’m looking forward to both driving and engineering the car, as well as working with the great driver line up they are putting together. I’ve had my eye on some of the names for a while, and I think this programme gives them a unique opportunity to peddle a front running car in the world’s best racing series.”

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