Faultless books do not exist, and I'm aware that my own books contain errors as well (not many, but still…). Fortunately, I have a loyal following of readers who correct me when I'm wrong. And Ray Potts is one of them. He wrote earlier today: "Hi Jeroen. Ray Potts here from Australia. I recently received my copy of Maximum Mini 3 and it's a fascinating read. One glaring error leapt out at me, however. On page 58 you show a 'Kelley Autotest Special'. I recognise it, but not the description. I'm not sure where you got the information on this but unfortunately it's 'a fair way off the mark' as we say in Australia. This car was active in Motorkhana (not Autotest) in Australia for many years. Called the Delta S2 Motorkhana Special it was originally built by Peter Jarram in 1988.
Peter sold it to Bill McCarthy in 1992 and in his hands it achieved the results at both State and National Championship level as detailed in the specifications below. Over time it was modified and/or improved by several Mini Experts here in Melbourne, Australia, before Bill sold it to David Kelly in 2014.
David sold it to Steve Ormond and Greg Dobson in 2015 after using it only rarely I believe. Incidentally, Bill identified the helmet hanging on the roll bar in your photo as being his, complete with a 'dust blocking bib' attached. Here are the specifications of the car as it was when Bill sold it to David in 2014. Also attached is another photo of the car.
Major Trophies: Australian National Motorkhana Championship – 1st 1993, 2nd 1999 & 2006, 3rd 2009. Victorian (State) Motorkhana Championship – 1st 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010 (equal first) & 2011
Engine: Mini 1380 cc, built by Link Automotive in fast road spec: 1100S block, Cooper S crank and rods, competition Oil pickup, worked head, 45 Weber on 6” manifold, K&N air filter, Camtech 607 cam with 1.5:1 roller rockers, light flywheel, raised compression, modified distributor, Gemini starter motor
Transmission: First and reverse gears only with straight column shift, Quaife ATB LSD
Brakes: Mini drums – separate circuits to front and rear Front – twin leading shoe with soft linings Rear with soft linings operated by 4th pedal or handbrake
Chassis: Steel tube and aluminium panels, partial Mini front subframe, rollbar padding
Weight: 355 - 370 kg – varies with wheels, tyres, mudguards
Tyres: Dirt – Hoosier 7.0/68-13 and Yokohama A021R 185/60-13, Bitumen – Dunlop and Avon soft compound 20” slicks
Wheels: 13” diameter in 6, 7 and 8 inch widths.
Suspension: Front - Rose-jointed, all alignment angles adjustable with adjustable damping from QA1 coilover shocks and various springs. Faster ratio steering Rear - beam axle with 3 links plus centre roller and Yamaha coilover shocks.
I'm not trying to be a purist or start any arguments about this, but since this car has played such a big part in Australian competition history, as well as being a superb example of how Mini components can be developed for a specific purpose, I though perhaps you'd like to know more about it.
Cheers, and thanks for your Mini Passion, Pottsy."
Thank you Ray. And feel free to correct me anytime.
Peter sold it to Bill McCarthy in 1992 and in his hands it achieved the results at both State and National Championship level as detailed in the specifications below. Over time it was modified and/or improved by several Mini Experts here in Melbourne, Australia, before Bill sold it to David Kelly in 2014.
David sold it to Steve Ormond and Greg Dobson in 2015 after using it only rarely I believe. Incidentally, Bill identified the helmet hanging on the roll bar in your photo as being his, complete with a 'dust blocking bib' attached. Here are the specifications of the car as it was when Bill sold it to David in 2014. Also attached is another photo of the car.
Major Trophies: Australian National Motorkhana Championship – 1st 1993, 2nd 1999 & 2006, 3rd 2009. Victorian (State) Motorkhana Championship – 1st 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010 (equal first) & 2011
Engine: Mini 1380 cc, built by Link Automotive in fast road spec: 1100S block, Cooper S crank and rods, competition Oil pickup, worked head, 45 Weber on 6” manifold, K&N air filter, Camtech 607 cam with 1.5:1 roller rockers, light flywheel, raised compression, modified distributor, Gemini starter motor
Transmission: First and reverse gears only with straight column shift, Quaife ATB LSD
Brakes: Mini drums – separate circuits to front and rear Front – twin leading shoe with soft linings Rear with soft linings operated by 4th pedal or handbrake
Chassis: Steel tube and aluminium panels, partial Mini front subframe, rollbar padding
Weight: 355 - 370 kg – varies with wheels, tyres, mudguards
Tyres: Dirt – Hoosier 7.0/68-13 and Yokohama A021R 185/60-13, Bitumen – Dunlop and Avon soft compound 20” slicks
Wheels: 13” diameter in 6, 7 and 8 inch widths.
Suspension: Front - Rose-jointed, all alignment angles adjustable with adjustable damping from QA1 coilover shocks and various springs. Faster ratio steering Rear - beam axle with 3 links plus centre roller and Yamaha coilover shocks.
I'm not trying to be a purist or start any arguments about this, but since this car has played such a big part in Australian competition history, as well as being a superb example of how Mini components can be developed for a specific purpose, I though perhaps you'd like to know more about it.
Cheers, and thanks for your Mini Passion, Pottsy."
Thank you Ray. And feel free to correct me anytime.
This is not - I repeat; this is not - the Kelley Special. What we see here is known as the
Delta S2 Motorkhana Special, built by Peter Jarram in 1988
Picture courtesy Ray Potts
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