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.

Coaching from the bench: Casting plastic knobs and rubber parts

16 July, 2026

Casting rubber items is simple if you have a good original to work with. The item doesn’t have to be perfect. You can use plasticine to smooth out cracks, and you can even make whole prototypes out of low-fire modelling clay available from craft stores if you need to. Prototypes can also be made of wood or metal.
You will need mould dams to contain the liquid urethane moulding solution until it cures. You can build boxes out of strips of wood, but I have found that small plastic boxes and bowls such as those you would use for leftovers in your fridge work well if you spray them with a mould release agent.
Temperature is important to the chemical processes involved, so work in an area that can be maintained at around 20 degrees. You will also need adequate ventilation because the fumes can be dangerous to breathe. And you will want to wear latex gloves to protect your hands.

Fraser Cars – low flying into the fourth decade

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With almost three and a half decades under its belt, Fraser Cars is one of New Zealand’s longest-surviving car manufacturers. The company first opened its doors for business in 1988, during the boom time for kit manufacturers. During the ’80s, around 40 different companies were building kits and turnkey cars for this niche market. Of those, only Fraser and Almac Cars (established 1981) are still in business today.
Most of the new kit car companies were killed off in the cradle by the threat of new legislation that never eventuated and definitively by the sudden availability of high-performance Japanese cars when the floodgates to second-hand imports were opened. The now long-retired founder of the company, Neil Fraser, first came across Lotus Seven replicas while racing Lotus Cortinas in the early ’80s. He regularly found himself racing against a little Caterham, a Lotus Seven–styled car built in England. He was very impressed by its simplicity and handling. In 1986 Fraser built his own Lotus Seven–type car, using the knowledge he had gained from several close looks at the Caterham.

Former racer backs Kiwi Mini for Bonneville world record

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