Where it all began

The story of Swiftune began long before it officially became a company. Throughout the early 1960s, Glyn Swift was building and racing his own Mini engines, developing a reputation in the local motorsport scene for extracting every ounce of performance from the little A-series. Before long, fellow racers were asking if he could prepare their engines too. Word of his skill and reliability spread quickly through the paddocks. By 1965, demand was so great that Glyn decided to turn his passion into a business — and Swiftune was born. What started as a small garage venture would go on to become one of the most respected names in Mini history.

Rallycross makes history at Lydden Hill

Just two years later, Glyn found himself part of a motorsport milestone. ITV had devised a brand-new format — Rallycross — which blended the spectacle of circuit racing with the unpredictability of rallying, and crucially, could run in any weather. The first ever televised Rallycross event took place at Lydden Hill in 1967. Among the competitors was Glyn himself, joined by his close friend Mick Bolton. 

Nick's first taste of racing

Motorsport passion clearly ran in the family. At just 16 years old, Glyn’s son Nick built his very first competition car — an 850 Minicross machine. His debut came in a Devon autocross event, where he experienced the thrill of racing for the very first time. It was a humble beginning, but it laid the foundations for a lifetime dedicated to speed, engineering excellence, and above all, Minis.

Stepping up to Metro Challenge

Nick’s progression was swift. By 1987, he had moved from grassroots racing into the more serious world of circuit competition, joining the fiercely contested Metro Challenge.

Move to Kent

1989 was a year of change and growth. Having started in Essex, then briefly relocating to Devon (a story involving farming ambitions, another chapter entirely), Swiftune eventually settled in Kent — a home they have remained in ever since.

New road engines: Sports Tourer & Road Rocket

While Nick was making his mark on track, Swiftune was growing rapidly off it. Demand for road-going engines had risen to such an extent that the company introduced two dedicated specifications to simplify choice for customers. The Sports Tourer was designed for spirited everyday use, while the Road Rocket offered thrilling performance for those seeking something wilder. These packages made Swiftune’s expertise more accessible and to this day are still the base of Swiftune's road engine builds.

The legendary SW5 Camshaft

In collaboration with Kent Cams, Swiftune developed what would become one of the most iconic Mini performance parts of all time: the SW5 camshaft. Designed as the ultimate road cam, it transformed the driveability and performance of Minis everywhere. Over the years, thousands have been sold worldwide, and to this day it remains the go-to choice for enthusiasts who want the perfect balance between road manners and power.

ICS Historic Touring Car Championship

Never far from the action himself, Nick built his own car for the ICS Historic Touring Car Championship in 1992. The series often ran as a support event to the BTCC, meaning Nick and his Swiftune-prepared car competed on the same weekends as the country’s top touring car teams. 

First Goodwood Revival appearence

By 2003, Swiftune had become synonymous with Minis in both road and race form. That year, Nick was invited to drive Norman Grimshaw’s Mini at the prestigious Goodwood Revival, competing in the St. Mary’s Trophy. It marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with Goodwood — a stage where Swiftune’s reputation would shine brightest.

Victory at Goodwood’s first all-Mini race

Few moments in Swiftune’s history have been as special as the 2009 Goodwood Revival, when the organisers staged their first ever all-Mini race. Nick was paired with professional driver and Le Mans winner Oliver Gavin. Against an incredibly strong field, the pair drove brilliantly to take victory. It was a triumph that celebrated Swiftune’s racing heritage on one of the world’s most iconic stages.

The Mini Festival and Swiftune’s own race

The passion for Mini racing showed no sign of slowing. In 2012, the very first Brands Hatch Mini Festival was launched, with Swiftune playing a central role. They organised the pre-’66 FIA Mini race, which proved so popular that an additional grid had to be created to meet demand. The event became an instant classic, with Swiftune continuing to oversee full Mini grids year after year. More than a decade later, the Mini Festival remains a highlight of the racing calendar.

An incredible 50 years

In 2015, Swiftune celebrated a remarkable milestone: 50 years of engineering, racing, and passion. Half a century of Minis, motorsport, and innovation — a testament to the dedication and vision of both Glyn and Nick Swift.

A new workshop for a new era

To match the growing demand and future ambitions, Swiftune moved into its current purpose-built premises in 2017. The facility features a large dyno cell, a fully equipped engine build and machine room, and generous car storage space — the perfect environment for continuing Swiftune’s legacy of precision engineering and performance.

Betty Richmond Trophy at Goodwood Members Meeting

Goodwood returned to the all-Mini format in 2019 for the Betty Richmond Trophy, celebrating 60 years of the Mini. The event welcomed 60 Minis, split into two 30-minute qualifying sessions and two 30-car heats, with the top 15 from each heat entering the final. After an incredible battle, Nick claimed his second all-Mini Goodwood race title, finishing ahead of Nick Padmore in a thrilling finale.

John Whitmore Trophy at the Goodwood Revival

Two years later, the John Whitmore Trophy brought another intense 30-Mini grid to the Revival. Partnered with Andrew Jordan, Nick claimed his hat-trick of all-Mini race wins. Yet the car captured even more attention: during the Covid-19 pandemic, Goodwood challenged young designers to create their dream Mini. Stanley Johnson’s winning design was wrapped around Swiftune’s Willow3 race-winning car

Historic milestones and international racing

Swiftune continued to break new ground in 2024, becoming the first engine builder to win all three Mini7 classes — Mini Miglia, Mini Se7en, and Mini Se7en S-Class — a historic achievement in the UK’s Mini 7 racing scene. In the same year, Nick made his Australian racing debut, traveling to Perth for a double-header, 

60 years of Swiftune

And here we are, celebrating 60 incredible years of Swiftune. Six decades of innovation, racing, and Mini engineering excellence — a legacy built on passion, precision, and performance that continues to inspire enthusiasts worldwide.