The 'Complan Mini' Turbo - sponsored by Glaxo Laboratories (Ireland) Ltd., and driven by Alec Poole. The 1.3 litre turbo charged Mini had a power output of 180bhp, ran 13" wheels with 8" front rims and 7" rear rims, could touch 140mph on the straights, and had an overall weight reduction on the standard model of 2.5 cwt. It had more power than Mini transmissions of the day could stand, so it would strip the cwp during a long days racing. The Complan Mini mainly raced in Ireland... but Alec did a lot of Mini racing in the UK in the 1960s and 70's. He was British Saloon car champion [fore runner of the BTCC] in 1969 driving a Cooper S.
Alec spoke about his hugely successful race exploits- (he was the British Touring Car Champion in 1969 in an Arden Mini Cooper S). He explained that the trick in qualifying was to perhaps not get out of the way of the bigger class Escorts and when they slowed slightly, to tuck in behind them for the all important tow! We also spoke briefly about a fearsome machine Alec raced known as the Complan Turbo Mini. That car grew from 1300cc to 1430cc during development
The Complan Turbo Mini
and ended up with huge arches and a Clubman style front and as Alec explained, there were teething problems but when it went, it really went! This car was reputed to have in excess of 180bhp- from an A series turbo- in 1971 and it was apparently sold to the Carribean.
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