After running a few regional rallies in 2025, Mini is running a factory-backed American Rally Association campaign for the entire 2026 season. In partnership with LAP Motorsports, which has run Minis in SRO and IMSA classes, Mini will have a John Cooper Works Countryman in the Limited 4 Wheel Drive class and a Cooper S 2-Door in the Open 2 Wheel Drive class. Team co-founder Luis Perocarpi will be in the Countryman, with Cristian Perocarpi driving the Cooper S.
It’s a return to Mini’s roots, since the most iconic images of the brand are around its participation in the Monte Carlo Rally in the Sixties. Now, of course, Mini has been racing and in rally since then, with factory WRC efforts, runs at the Dakar rally, and on closed circuits, but a true rally effort has been missing for a while. We’re glad to see it back.
The classes that the cars are entered in mean that they are essentially stock, other than modifications for safety. They’ll be supported by a crew that will include Mini dealer techs, a very cool way to get some racing experience and have some fun outside of the shop. Four techs will be chosen to join the crew at each race.
Mini and LAP will run the entire 2026 ARA season with both cars, including the Sno Drift Rally in Michigan this weekend.
