About

In 2002 I bought one of the first run of “new” MINIs, 6 months later I was competing in my first SOLO2 (autocross) event. Two months after that I was doing my first driving school at a track. I was SERIOUSLY bitten by the track bug. 2.5 years went by in which time I had done more lapping days than I can remember. I had also managed to come 3rd overall in the 2003 (my first year doing solo2) and 2004 Trillium BMW Club Autocross and at this point wanted more.

It was at this time, spring of 2005, I started searching for a purpose built race car. Not having the garage space for 3 cars (MINI, racecar and family hauler) I sold my 2002 JCW MINI Cooper S. I gave up driving a MINI every day and moved to driving a Minivan every day in order to have a true toy, talk about commitment. After having looked at all sorts of cars as a track weapon from BMW e30 and Porsche 944′s nothing was “connecting” with me. I wanted something unique, something people would remember, something fast.

I fell for a tube frame 1967 Mini Estate (aka Countryman) powered by a Ford 2300cc engine to the rear wheels, What became known as FrankenMini.  I bought FrankenMini in 2005 from his builder, Paul Plunkett of Breadbox Racing.  I invested a great deal of money getting FrankenMini going, and going we did.  However, multiple complicated problems, just didn’t make things workable.  The car was never designed to be a race car, so it became like fitting a sqaure peg in a round hole.  The car and I competed in a couple of solo events in the summer of ’07, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Now enter Brutus.  With the help of Paul Plunkett from Breadbox racing we made a decision to start with a “clean slate.” I’ve ALWAYS wanted a Lotus 7, and Paul has always wanted to build one, a match made in heaven.  So at the begining of October 07 we started working together to build a Lotus 7 using parts from FrankenMini to help keep costs managable.  However we both agreed early on that we wanted something unique, as well as easy to work on.

Current plans for Brutus:

• Custom Frame with integrated DOM roll cage
• Chevy Small Block Engine (fuel injected)
• Wilwood Dynalite Brakes with 11.75 Rotors
• 15″ Basset Racing Wheels
• 205/50-15 front and 225/50-15 Rear R-Compound Racing Tires
• Woodward Racing Steering RackAdjustable suspension with custom A-arms in the front and 4-link rear