Motorsport: New look for a racing veteran

A fresh look for one of the most enduring journeyman motor-racing classes will be displayed at Manfeild this weekend.

Mini racing has been a staple of domestic motorsport since the 1960s and thrives at club level.

Now a move is being made to introduce the modern equivalent of the "flying brick", the BMW-built Mini, to the national circuit.

Its importer, Mini New Zealand, would like to see an international series next summer and has a race-ready car to show prospective customers.

It was flown from Germany, one of several European countries that host a Mini Challenge series.

A spokesman said Mini New Zealand wanted to gauge interest in the one-make category.

Peter Jarratt, manager of Mini New Zealand, said the suggested six-month season would include up to eight race meetings with a maximum of 25 cars on the grid.

The cars would likely cost $60,000 to $70,000 each.

- NZPA