At MINI of Knoxville, we're proud to highlight that MINI USA is bringing two iconic rally models to the 2026 American Rally Association (ARA) Championship in partnership with LAP Motorsports. Learn about the motorsports heritage of the MINI brand and highlights for the upcoming season, explore our new MINI lineup online, or contact us to plan a test drive today in Knoxville.
What Vehicles is MINI USA Going to Race With?
MINI has a long history of rally racing, dating back to the 1960s MINI Cooper S that achieved victory at the 1964, 1965, and 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. For 2026, MINI USA and LAP Motorsports will field a MINI Cooper S 2-Door in the Open 2 Wheel Drive (O2WD) class. New MINI Cooper S 2-Door models provide a modern take on our most iconic city car, delivering a responsive 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine, sharp handling, and a lightweight chassis that competes with larger and more powerful vehicles near Farragut.
In addition, MINI is entering the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 in the Limited 4 Wheel Drive (L4WD) class. Displaying the motorsports know-how of the MINI brand, the MINI JCW Countryman ALL4 provides a more powerful 2.0-liter JCW Tuned TwinPower Turbocharged engine and MINI ALL4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system for optimal traction in changing conditions. Both models feature race-focused safety upgrades and minimal modification from the factory to align with ARA class requirements, remaining almost identical to new MINI models for sale near Oak Ridge, TN.
MINI Will Visit Our Home State of Tennessee
MINI is taking both rally cars to eight stops across the United States, including Round 7 here in the Great Smoky Mountains near Maryville, TN. Scheduled for September 18th and 19th, the Overmountain Rally Tennessee event will challenge drivers on over 100 miles of gravel, clay, and hard-packed dirt trails with twisty corner configurations and extreme elevation changes.
Dealer Technicians Are Joining MINI Rally Efforts
MINI is bringing a unique aspect to the 2026 ARA Championship by selecting four highly-skilled MINI technicians from across the country to join the pit crew. Serving alongside LAP Motorsports at select rally stages, factory-trained MINI technicians will be able to use and share their real-world expertise at the competition level. We hope to see some of our talented technicians serve later this year, as we provide comprehensive maintenance and repairs for MINI drivers near Lenoir City.
Learn More at MINI of Knoxville
Interested in learning more about high-performance John Cooper Works models or the upcoming 2026 ARA Championship rally season? Our team is happy to help by sharing the latest news, answering questions, and providing helpful resources. Shop new MINI models online, contact our team to plan a test drive, or visit our Knoxville showroom to meet with a representative today.