A new season, a new series, a new challenge as the MINI JCW Team begins their journey in the SRO TC America series.

The MINI JCW Team went out on top with a manufacturers championship in the sunsetted ST class of the now Michelin Pilot Challenge.

This year the team takes their championship winning JCWs to the SRO TC America series.

The first event takes place at the Circuit of the Americas(COTA). While the team didn't visit the track last season, they did visit the track every season between 2015-2017. Experiencing some success, including winning the pole with Derek Jones in 2017.

This year they will be fielding two MINI JCWs at COTA. Veteran team drivers Mark Pombo and Nate Norenberg will be behind the wheel of the #59 and #60 respectively.

MINI USA’s STEP technician education program will be supporting the #59. The MINI Automotive Service Technician Education Program (STEP) is a 16 week, MINI-specific technician education course designed to prepare students a career with MINI.  The application process is open to graduates of post-secondary school automotive programs (trade school or college) to further their knowledge with a MINI technical education.  To learn more about the program visit www.bmwstep.com/programs/mini/.  

The #60 MINI, driven by Nate Norenberg, will be carrying the Lincoln Tech banner.  Lincoln Tech is the sole off-site training provider for MINI STEP (Service Technician Education Program) - making the Grand Prairie campus the only place in the country where MINI training is offered outside of a BMW facility. Eligible students from Lincoln Tech schools around the country can add this four-month training option, which is paid for by BMW of North America.  For more information on Lincoln Tech’s STEP program visit https://www.lincolntech.edu/about/partnerships.

The MINI JCW Team will be comprised of their usual fulltime race crew supported by the local MINI technicians from Momentum MINI, MINI of Plano, MINI of Austin and MINI of San Antonio.  These are the same technicians that repair consumer MINIs, and have proven time and again that their knowledge transfers to the racing world.  

The drivers will participate in two 40-minute sprint races across two days. They will face increased competition this season as there are 17 entrants from manufacturers like Honda, Mazda, and Subaru.

Race one takes place on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:35 PM EST, and race two takes place on Sunday March 3rd at 11:40 AM EST. You can watch the races live on the SRO website at World-Challenge.com.

About the MINI JCW Team

The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports (@lapmotorsports), drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door John Cooper Works. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.