The Mini Marcos was never a classic 1960's sports car but Lars Kristian Ekorness' machine is proving very rapid in Norway's FIA Historic race series. Thanks to a Swiftune-built 1293cc FIA spec engine Lars is turning in some giant-killing performances. See Lars hold off a BMW2002 for lap after lap by clicking on the video link.
It has taken four years to restore and develop the car but Lars was always confident that the Marcos’s glass fibre body and a strong engine would see the Marcos get in among the pre-81 opposition which includes BDG-engined Escorts, BMW 2002, Porsches, Minis and Fiat 131s. Running a Weber carburettor the Swiftune engine produces more than 130bhp, enough to have the race officials seal the engine after the last race such was Lars’ pace!
“It is a race-winning engine, “says Lars, “and it is very well set up with lots of torque for an A series and very driveable.”
Two years before Lars’ Marcos Mk III was built in 1968 the little Mini-based sports car was at Le Mans winning its class. Next year the Marcos will be seen, not only in Norway, but also neighbouring Sweden and Denmark. A bit of lightening to get the car down to its modest 535kg homologated weight and it is going to be super competitive.
30 September 2008