Old Red: The Start Of The Story
Every MINI has a story, but few are as wild as Old Red, our fire-damaged 2005 MINI One that became a record-smashing drag car.
The Beginning – From Salvage Yard to Santa Pod
We picked up Old Red from HBC Salvage Auctions in Peterlee back in April 2005. What started as a fire-damaged shell quickly turned into a full-on drag project. By September that year, with just a few months of work, the car made its debut at the Euro Finals at Santa Pod.
The spec back then was basic – M7 flywheel, Helix clutch, Quaife diff, and drag radials – but the potential was clear. Even in limp mode, Old Red ran a 15.49 quarter mile. Once the nitrous went in, the times dropped fast: a 13.38 @ 99.76, proving this little MINI was just getting started.
2006–2007: Chasing 11s
With slicks fitted and more seat time, Old Red quickly found its pace. By 2006, it was running 12.1s at 111mph and picking up wins at both the Mini Showdown and the Ultimate BMW Show.
2007 saw big upgrades – JE pistons, ABF stage 2 head, 15% pulley, and a chrome moly cage by Steve Green. The work paid off. That September at the Euro Finals, Old Red finally dipped into the 11s, running an 11.77 @ 115mph, cementing its place in MINI drag racing history.
2008–2009: Show and Go
Old Red was now a crowd favourite. It featured on the Modern MINI Magazine stand at Autosport International, ran exhibition passes at Mini In The Park, and kept smashing PBs.
In 2009, it became part of the Euro Sport Compact series, consistently running low 11s. The highlight came at the Euro Finals, with a blistering 11.16 @ 123mph, making Old Red one of the quickest MINIs in the UK.
2010: A New Challenge – Time Attack
By 2010, the drag strip wasn’t enough. Old Red swapped the quarter mile for corners, entering Time Attack at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, and Snetterton. For a car built to go straight, it impressed – posting competitive lap times and proving just how versatile a MINI can be.
Old Red’s Legacy
From a fire-damaged shell to an 11-second drag monster and a Time Attack contender, Old Red represents everything we love about MINIs: resilience, character, and raw performance.
And while the timeslips tell part of the story, it’s the passion, long nights in the workshop, and countless weekends at Santa Pod that made Old Red a legend.