BENNETT BEATS THE CLOCK FORM IN IWRX PROGRAMME
Simpson motor sport team unveils new challenge ron eve of the season
British driver Oliver Bennett and the Xite Racing team will debut a brand new Mini Cooper SX1 Supercar at the opening round of the World Rallycross Championship in Spain this weekend.
The car is the product of a four-month design and build time. Built by Gloucestershire-based Simpson Motorsport, construction of the new Mini was completed last week before being revealed to the public today (Wednesday) ahead of its maiden outing.
“This feels amazing, we have worked non-stop for four months to get to Barcelona with our new car,” Bennett told Motorsport News. “A year ago I was stood watching at Barcelona with some friends. I’d never have guessed I would be driving there the following year.”
The squad revealed a mock-up of the Mini SX1 in
MN ahead of a display at the Autosport International Show in January, which was around the same time that work began on the race car in earnest.
“The bodyshell was started in January after the idea of building a new car was finalised in mid-december,” said Bennett. “Everyone from those doing admin to mechanics on the car, to the team owners and me as the driver have played a critical role in making what seemed impossible, possible.”
The new Cooper, the first of its kind to be used in World RX, uses some of the best customer products available in rallycross. A Sadev gearbox is mounted transversally to a Pipo engine, while the suspension has been provided by Reiger.
LD Motorsports team owner Liam Doran has played a significant role in helping to conceive the concept.
“We’ve only managed to test once before Barcelona due to the tight time schedule,” continued Bennett.
“We are confident in the car but won’t have a fully optimised set-up this weekend. Barcelona will be a celebration of what we have achieved in four months alongside doing set-up changes and finding a balance.”
The team plans to contest approximately nine World RX rounds this season and is likely to skip the Belgian, Canadian and German events.