In 1959 the Mini catches the eye of a racing car constructor who just happens to have won the Formula 1 world championship; his name is John Cooper.

In 1960 Saab’s star rally driver Eric Carlsson reckons the Mini will never make a rally car. However, twins Don and Erle Morley soon forced him to eat his words when they both convincingly beat Eric in the Geneva Rally.

Then in 1961 racing team manager John Cooper creates the first in a long line of Mini Coopers. These would later go on to dominate many motor racing events throughout the 60’s, including the world famous Monte Carlo Rally.