Mini X-Raid Team Ready to Take on Dakar Again

MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
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is aiming for a third consecutive overall win in the Dakar Rally in 2014. This year’s event runs from January 5-18. This year’s event covers 13 special stages in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

One major change to this year’s event is that the cars, bikes and trucks will have slightly different routes through the stages. The bikes will cover 5,228km (3,249 miles) of timed special stages; the cars will have 5,522km (3,431 miles) of special stages, and the trucks will have 5,212km (3,239 miles) of special stages. In addition to the timed special stages, the routes also have untimed road sections connecting them that add between 3,506km (2,179 miles) and 3,976km (2,471 miles) of driving depending on the vehicle. To finish, a vehicle will have to cover over 9,000km (5,592 miles) of desert driving, which is over 1,000km longer than last year.

Mini ALL4 Racing has Stephane Peterhansel has its main driver. He has won the last two events for Mini, and with six wins on motorcycles and five wins in cars, he has the most wins in the event’s history.

Even with a veteran like Peterhansel on its side, Mini is not leaving anything to chance. The team has 11 cars entered, four with factory support and seven privateers, which may make it hard for any team but Mini to take the overall win.

The 2014 Dakar will be another great challenge which the MINI brand gladly accepts,” said Jochen Goller, Senior Vice President of Mini.

Mini raced in the Dakar for the first time in 2011 but failed to finish. It returned in 2012 to take an overall victory with Peterhansel and repeated the performance last year.

Mini uses a built-to-purpose off-road rally car with the body of a Mini CountrymanMINI (BMW) Countryman Gen.1 [R60]Germany, 2010 > present54 versions
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. The body is made from carbon fiber, and the chassis is a monocoque with a steel roll cage bonded to it. The front and rear can be detached and replaced if needed.

They use a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine from BMW with 307hp (300ps) and 516lb-ft (700Nm) with dry sump lubrication and a six-speed sequential transmission. It is all-wheel drive with lockable front, center and rear differentials for maximum traction. One interesting feature is that the rear brakes are liquid cooled for a longer useful life.

In the cockpit, the driver sees a simple racing layout with a gear display and tachometer. Co-drivers have their own instrument panel with all of the navigation equipment. The storage area at the back includes three spare tires.