To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nurburgring 24 Hours, MINI is fielding its first entry into the race in 10 years. The German-owned British company will send a specially modified MINI John Cooper Works to the fearsome German track.

The car will race in the SP3T class and will have a specially-fitted roll cage, a 100-liter (26.4-gallon) fuel tank, and a hydraulic lifting unit for the endurance race. Beyond these simple racing necessities, several performance improvements have also been made.

The special MINI JCW has had its weight reduced thanks to a range of efforts, including Makrolon windows among others. In addition, there have also been significant aerodynamic interventions, including the installation of a big adjustable rear wing, a completely covered underbody, a rear diffusor, a front splitter and a racing suspension.

Read Also: Watch The MINI John Cooper Works GP Lap The ‘Ring In 8:03.3

As you might expect, braking performance will also be improved thanks to parts borrowed from BMW M Performance. A sports exhaust has been adapted for the MINI JCW, which is powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 301 hp (225 kW/306 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. Power from that is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox with an integrated mechanical locking differential.

Finally, the MINI John Cooper Works race car will bear a special “Made in Nurburg” livery that pays homage to the racing tradition of the MINI brand. The red and white color scheme is, specifically, inspired by MINI’s racing exploits during the 1960s.

The racing modifications were taken on by Bulldog Racing in Eifel, Germany, not far from the track where this special model will make its racing debut. The Nurburgring 24 Hours will take place from May 26 to 29 and drivers will have to compete on the 25.378 km (15.769-mile) track composed of both the Nordschleife and the Nurburgring Grand Prix track.

After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model
After 10 Years, MINI Returns To 24H Nurburgring Race With John Cooper Works Model