MINI will be represented at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event (June 30) – albeit tenuously – thanks to Jean-Philippe Dayraut.
The French driver competed in 2012 behind the wheel of car skinned in a Dacia Duster ‘shell, but this time he’s switched to MINI Countryman bodywork with wide arches, a clamshell opening and deleted rear doors. Constructed by Tork Engineering, who are responsible for creating trophy-winning ice, WRC and Dakar racercars, the company has managed to shave 80 kg off the car’s weight for 2013, while taking output from the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 powerplant from 634 kW (850 hp) to 671 kW (900 hp).
Dayraut and his Frankenstein machine will take part in the Unlimited Class for the third consecutive year.