Former racer backs Kiwi Mini for Bonneville world record

20 July, 2015

The New Zealand–built Project ’64 — the world’s fastest Mini Cooper S — will be out to improve on its own world speed record of 235.9kph at the illustrious Bonneville Salt Flats in August, as part of the annual Bonneville Speed Week event in Utah. This has been enabled, in part, by the sponsorship of entrepreneur and former race driver Mike Pero. Pero joins Mini as part of the growing list of companies throwing their support behind the ambitious project.

Guy Griffith, the team’s co-founder, says, “We really appreciate the support from Mike Pero and Mini. These two sponsors will allow us to achieve our goal to film the story of this very unlikely machine doing remarkable things.”

Even though he is well known for his real estate business, Mike Pero is no stranger to motorsport and motorcycles. He currently holds the New Zealand land-speed record for a 350cc motorcycle, set in 1979. He’s also a former competitor in the NZV8 and V8 ute championships. His real estate and mortgage brands have also sponsored several other race cars, including Greg Murphy and Richard Moore’s entries in the NZ SuperTourer series.

“We’re very proud to be part of this project. I think it’s a ‘Kiwi thing’ wanting to break speed barriers on equipment that’s built right here down under … I believe these guys have every chance of setting a new world record,” says Mike Pero.

Based on a formerly humble 1964 Cooper S, the red rocket is no longer just another Mini. Built by the small Project 64 squad in Nelson, the 350hp Mini features an endless smorgasbord of modifications, including a turbocharger and BMW K1200 motorcycle head to support its highly tuned race engine. Four-bolt–main bearing caps, Specialist Components con rods, Ross forged pistons, a specially developed Heritage Garage/Marine Crankshafts crankshaft, intercooled IHI turbo, Hi-Lo adjustable suspension, and some subtle external aerodynamic aids are also included in the Mini’s mods.

This will be the second time the Mini has visited Bonneville, having last toured in 2012. Operating on a shoestring, the group managed to set an impressive top speed of 235.9kph, beating the previous record in its class at the time by 40kph. For their 2015 effort, the team will be hoping to hit 281kph (175mph), edging even closer to the hallowed 300kph marker.

Check out part one of the team’s ‘Road to Bonneville’ web series below:

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The continued efforts of the Project 64 team are reminiscent of Burt Munro’s famed motorcycle Bonneville land-speed world record he set in 1967, which went on to be immortalized in the film The World’s Fastest Indian in 2005.

The event itself is scheduled to kick off on August 8–14. A camera crew will be following the team’s efforts for a documentary scheduled to air on New Zealand screens in September.

NZ Classic Car magazine, November/December 2026 issue 408, on sale now

18 October, 2026

Star status for classic Porsche
A long search ends: finding the right car
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 heralded an iconic lineage of sports cars, known for their exceptional performance, remarkable racing reliability, and adaptability, second to none.
New Zealand Classic Car, in conjunction with Star Insure, recently conducted a photo competition to find 13 suitably impressive classics to grace the pages of the magazine’s 2027 calendar. A flood of entries showed that Kiwis recognise eye-catching designs and restorations. Many are handy with a camera, too, and have entered some outstanding results.
The choice was not straightforward, with multiple stunning entries, and Geoff Long’s immaculate 1990 Porsche 911 (964 Factory designation) took top honours. Fortunately, Geoff had Ethan Hanlon handy to take the accompanying photos while working in his office.
“I’ve got a young employee who is doing work experience in my office at the moment, and he’s a very avid photographer. So, I said, I’ll buy you breakfast and then why don’t we go and take some photos. He found the right spot, and he spent over an hour photographing.”
Originally sold new in Japan, hence the right-hand drive, the Porsche was resident there for four years before being exported to New Zealand, as Geoff recalls.
“I bought it two-and-a-half years ago, but I looked for it for over two years, because it’s just the colour scheme, interior and exterior I was after. The service file that came with it is extensive; I mean, it’s been beautifully looked after, which is what I wanted to continue, as it does get driven. It doesn’t sit in the garage.”

Classics on the green

16 October, 2026

Many pretenders vie for the title, but the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance gets my vote as the biggest thing since sliced bread.
The 71st edition of the world’s pre-eminent and best-known concours event featured 28 classes, judged by a 180-strong jury, which also chose the recipients of 26 special awards.
The size of the event, the number of visitors, and, most mind-numbingly, the sheer number of amazing cars, is almost overwhelming. There are so many quality cars to gaze upon, and so many people gazing at those cars, that it is almost impossible to cover everything.
Notable among the many attractions were the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an elegant Talbot-Lago Grand Sport, Hermann Graber’s Swiss-bodied cabriolets and coupés, the jewels of Otto Vu Italian V8s, early Alfa Romeos, Lincoln and its centenary, and cars with unorthodox propulsion systems.

Former racer backs Kiwi Mini for Bonneville world record

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