Performance is delivered by a twin-scroll turbocharged engine, most likely an upgraded version of the standard car’s 1.6-litre engine, with at least 10 percent more power and torque – an engine which MINI describes as displaying remarkable elasticity and a healthy appetite for revs.

MINI say the GP uses an exclusive powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics inspired directly by its motorsport activities with specially developed, adjustable race suspension for more controllable handling.

The headline though, is its impressive lap time around the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, beating its predecessor by almost 19 seconds to record a lap in 8 minute 23 seconds. That’s quick, but still 15 seconds slower than the front-wheel drive record held by Renault’s Megane 265 Trophy.

As with the previous MINI JCW GP, there is an abundance of logos and visual treatments to remind the driver and other road users that this is a “GP” MINI. Large front and rear aprons, striking side skirts and a bespoke roof spoiler are complemented by a newly developed rear diffuser which optimises airflow around the under body.

The interior of the MINI JCW GP contributes to the car’s racy feel, with the rear seats removed, it focuses unashamedly on the needs of the driver and passenger.

The GP’s chassis is enhanced by a set of Kumho Ecsta V700 R-spec tyres in 215/40 ZR17 size, together with JCW racing brakes.

MINI are remaining coy for the time being about the GP’s power output, apart from saying it has even more “spring in its step” than its 214bhp predecessor. But with the standard MINI JCW producing 211bhp these days, we’d be surprised to see less than 230bhp on offer in the new JCW GP.

Gallery

Questions have obviously been raised as to why Lotus F1 Team took it upon themselves to review the security situation directly, which has now triggered a statement from the team in what amounts to an apology to the FIA.

The statement reads:

Meanwhile Bernie Ecclestone, continues to insist that no teams have expressed any concerns (to him) over their security, and as far as he is concerned the event will go ahead as planned.

There’s a more in-depth analysis of the story over on Joe Saward’s blog and I’d also recommend the always insightful James Allen, who has written today that the Bahraini opposition leader predicts ‘violence’ for the GP weekend. They’re both well worth a read..

To be launched at the MINI United Festival, in Le Castellet this May, the JCW GP2 will adopt the MINI Challenge-based rear wing, a functional rear diffuser, race-oriented chassis and more powerful turbocharged engine.

The body panels are aerodynamically optimised, and its 18″ wheels are an evolution to those worn by the previous JCW GP in 2005. As before, the JCW GP2 will be fitted with halogen headlights as standard (to save weight) and be a true two-seater, with Recaro seats up front and a half-cage (or rear brace) where the rear seats would normally be on a MINI hatch.

MINI describe the JCW GP2′s engine as “very powerful”, which could mean anything from 225 bhp to 260 bhp. Its predecessor mustered just 4% more than the standard JCW MINI (218 bhp @7,100 rpm) to propel 50kg less weight, but the turbocharged engine of the latest F56 MINI should yield considerably more.

The recently announced Citroen DS4 Racing, which uses the same BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo engine, has been uprated to produce 256bhp and emit only 155g/km of CO2, so expect something closer to this rather than the 220 bhp mentioned by some journalists.

We’ll get to hear plenty more details in the run up to MINI United next month, which will be limited to around the same 2,000 units as its predecessor. Meanwhile Autoblog has images of a JCW GP2 test mule driving on the roads around the Nurburgring last month.

This week I’ll explore the subject a little further, using the latest Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Caption Competition as the case in point.

The competition is built around the team’s F1 world champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, and encourages participants to have fun writing captions for a gallery of behind-the-scenes photographs of the lads and their engineers at work. To provide some creative inspiration a series of viral videos have been produced, which you can take a look at below.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – Cap Signing. Ever wonder what Jenson gets up to when he’s not racing?

Hosted on the Vodafone Racing Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/vodafoneracing, fans are invited to choose a photo then add a witty caption, after which they can vote on other captions from the 800 or so already added.

Some of my favourites include a picture of Lewis saying, “I left Massa this much room and he still hit me..”, or one where Jenson is looking at a magazine with his engineer and says ‘..at least I’m sexier than Vettel in the latest Pirelli photo shoot..”. You get the idea.

The App can prove quite an addictive experience, especially once you realise there are prizes on offer. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes merchandise (including caps and t-shirts signed by either Lewis or Jenson) will be given to the highest points scorer each week, but the grand prize is a meet and greet for the main winner (and a friend) to visit either Lewis or Jenson at the McLaren Technical Centre in Woking, tour the facilities and pick up a signed copy of their winning caption. The team will even lay on flights and accommodation if the winner lives outside the UK.

The campaign which has been running since late July, has earned Vodafone over 500,000 views on YouTube (300,000 of those in the past month) but perhaps more importantly has fed plenty of positive social conversation about the playful side of the team and its drivers.

Now you might be thinking it’s easy for Vodafone, with access to two F1 world champions and a marketing budget equivalent to the gross domestic product of a third-world country, but there are in fact several lessons that can be applied to every campaign.

Gamification

A few years ago we ran a campaign with Volkswagen & Tribal DDB, called GTI Project, a Scaletrix-themed driving game with its own microsite supported by a series of cryptic display ads. You can still play the game today (http://www.gtiproject.com/), but make sure you’ve got plenty of spare time available – it’s thoroughly addictive.

I remember measuring yield figures 60 times that of other campaigns and it went on to win several well-deserved awards.

The lesson learned was that a successful social campaign should focus on the viewer’s needs more so than the brand, and that play (just as it was for all of us at one time) is the best tool for learning.

An article published on Mashable earlier this year – Gamification: How Competition Is Reinventing Business, Marketing & Everyday Life – provides a more in-depth look at the mechanics of the approach, but in simple terms the use of gameplay for non-gaming applications plays on our intrinsic desire for reward and recognition amongst our peers.

From a behavioural standpoint it also lowers our guard, sustains participation over a much longer period and builds a shared experience, which as anyone involved in team building will know is crucial to the success of relationships in a group.

And of course groups of supporters and advocates are the goal of nearly every social campaign, so it makes sense for companies to start a campaign considering how they can facilitate the growth of these social groups using their brand as the catalyst. Gameplay is by far the best way to achieve this.

Content

Success in all of our relationships, hinges on the conversations we participate in and this is never more obvious than in the relationship between a brand and its customers online.

The problem as many brands have discovered, is without a constant flow of engaging content, audiences will swiftly move off topic, or worse, start talking about the brand negatively. Facebook pages become customer complaint forums and suddenly all those ‘fans’ turn from being an asset into a liability.

This is where content marketing comes into play. If gameplay is the mechanism, then content is the raw material which feeds it. Content won’t cover up a PR or customer service blunder, but it will provide the means to build a positive relationship with an audience and in many ways this is the main benefit of campaigns such as Vodafone’s Caption Competition.

It’s fun, it’s inclusive and brings us a little closer to the team which Vodafone are helping to sponsor.

There are plenty more examples in this sector which show how gamification can be used to great effect, including:

- MINI’s Getaway Stockholm challenge – where the City of Stockholm provided the backdrop for the world’s largest reality board game. [Link]

- Volkswagen’s The Fun Theory (The Speed Camera Lottery) – which tested the hypothesis, “Can we get more people to obey the speed limit by making it fun to do?” [Link]

- Ford Focus Rally – an interactive pan-American cross-country road rally with the grand prize of $100,000 and a brand new 2012 Ford Focus. [Link]

- Citroën DS4SEEKERS Competition – an online and mobile competition in a multi-player game of hide and seek for a chance to win a New Citroën DS4. [Link]

If you haven’t already scrolled past all the marketing speak, then take a look at the remaining viral clips featuring Lewis and Jenson overdubbed with the voice of an actor. They might just inspire you to create the perfect caption that wins you a visit to the most impressive F1 facility on the planet.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – Hands Up

Just how hot does Jenson look in his new uniform?

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – Coin

What does Jenson keep in his pockets when he’s driving?

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – Jenson Excited

Ever wondered what goes through Jenson’s mind when he’s driving?

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – Lewis Solo

Ever wondered what Lewis and Jenson chat about on the phone?

Disclosure: This article is sponsored in part by Vodafone, however all views expressed within are entirely our own. We’ve used it to illustrate our wider feature on digital marketing within automotive and motorsport. Sponsored articles are accepted at our own discretion and only where we believe such additional focus or analysis will benefit our readers. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this article further, then get in touch via email or using the contact tab on this page.

The votes have been counted, the correct entries sorted and 3 winners randomly selected to receive a pair of tickets to next weekend’s event.

So, without further ado, congratulations to Richard Allison, Emma Cella and Georgina Ball.

The correct answer to the question, “Which famous British driver holds the record for the most Tourist Trophy wins?” is “A. Sir Stirling Moss“.

So commiserations to those of you who answered the question correctly, but missed out on the prize this time. We will have plenty more prizes to be won on SkiddMark during the next few months as the summer events come thick and fast, so check back or follow us on Twitter at @DriversRepublic.

Also don’t forget the “Cycle around Silverstone” sessions which will be run throughout the weekend at the following times: 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Friday 30 April; 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Saturday 01 May; and at 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Sunday 02 May. These sessions are free to enter as a ticket holder or can be booked for £5 (for non tickets holders) by contacting Silverstone directly on 0844 3728 260.

You can also still purchase tickets to the main event by visiting www.silverstone.co.uk.

Photo credit: Silverstone

What an awesome once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Cycling the circuit will be free of charge to all holders of a Silverstone Supercar qualifying, race day or weekend ticket. Anyone without an event ticket can join the cycle ride at a cost of just £5, payable either in advance or on the day*.

Access to the Grand Prix Circuit for cyclists is available throughout the weekend at the following times: 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Friday 30 April; 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Saturday 01 May; and at 18:30 – 20:00hrs on Sunday 02 May.

Advance tickets to the Silverstone Supercar event, featuring the FIA GT1 World Championship, start from as little as £10. All tickets include access to grandstand seating, free parking, a wealth of off-track entertainment, and free entry for children aged 15 years and under**.

For further information, or to book Silverstone Supercar or cycle ride tickets, visit www.silverstone.co.uk or call 0844 3728 260.

* Silverstone’s cycle ride tickets can be purchased in advance, or on the day after 17:00hrs. Please visit www.silverstone.co.uk for the full terms and conditions of the cycle ride.

** Entry to the Silverstone Supercar event for children aged 15 years and under is free of charge. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. Each paying adult may accompany up to a maximum of four children.

Photo credit: beerandnoodles

This will also be the first major international race on Silverstone’s new track layout – including new elevated banks and spectator viewing areas, changes to Brooklands and Woodcote corners, plus a completely new section of circuit from Abbey, up to the Arena Complex and round to the National Straight – so it’s an event not to be missed.

The coveted RAC Tourist Trophy awaits the winner of the FIA GT1 World Championship round

We’ve teamed up with Silverstone to give away three pairs of weekend tickets to this festival of supercar action. To be in with a chance of winning one of these pairs of tickets, simply answer the following question:

Which famous British driver holds the record for the most Tourist Trophy wins?

A. Sir Stirling Moss
B. Darren Turner

Send your answers to the usual address at competitions@skiddmark.com marking your email with the subject ‘SILVERSTONE’.

The competition closes on Monday 19th April and we wish you the very best of luck.

Last year our prize winners were Steve Hall and Edd Clayson who told us they throughouly enjoyed the event. It’s a real family occasion so why not use the competition as an excuse to bring your friends and loved ones along as well. Advance tickets to the Silverstone Supercar event start from as little as £10 and for further event information, or to book tickets, visit www.silverstone.co.uk or call 0844 3728 260.

Silverstone announced the news at a press conference this morning, chaired by Silverstone’s Managing Director Richard Phillips and BRDC President Damon Hill.

Ecclestone said that he was happy with the deal, but he made no secret of his irritation at having spent so much time reaching a deal with the Northamptonshire circuit.

“It’s been a long and tiring nonsense,” he said. “They could have done this whole thing months and months ago.”

Ecclestone had originally imposed a deadline of this coming Wednesday (9th December) for a deal to be put in place, otherwise a British Grand Prix in 2010 would be lost.

Speaking this morning FOM President Bernie Ecclestone, said: “I am pleased that we have reached an agreement with Silverstone for the retention of the British Grand Prix. This will ensure that Great Britain will remain on the Formula One calendar for many years to come, which is something I have personally always wanted to see happen. The team at Silverstone already knows how to organise a good event, so now everyone can look forward to next summer at Silverstone.”

Donington was awarded a contract to host the race from 2010, but lost the rights to host the British Grand Prix after failing to raise the £135m funding required for the necessary redevelopment plans.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone has revealed that they had been planning for the grand prix to return to the Northamptonshire circuit even before Donington had lost their funding battle.

Under the original terms offered, Silverstone would have paid a total of £370 million up to 2026 to stage the race, while in its modified form the contract now commits them to fees of just over £300 million. Ecclestone insists however that Silverstone has not been given preferential terms.

Damon Hill, President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), owners of Silverstone Circuit, said: “We are delighted that the long term future of the British Grand Prix has been secured and that Formula 1 will be remaining at Silverstone, its natural home in Great Britain, for at least the next 17 years. This long term contract will enable us to continue with our plans to develop Silverstone into a world class facility, bringing the venue into line with the very best sports facilities in the world for the benefit of all race goers, teams, drivers and fans.

“On a personal note, I would like to thank the team at Silverstone, our board of the BRDC, the membership of the BRDC and those in the industry who have been unwavering in their support.

“We have now secured the blue riband events in both two and four wheeled World Championships, and are looking forward to an exciting future.”

“I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes.” said Rosberg, “No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn. I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain on 14 March 2010.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal said, “We are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him. Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, is a driver who will be able to make a valuable contribution to our team right from the outset. I had the pleasure of working with his father Keke during his Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps. 2009 was Nico’s best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year.”

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, 41, remains rumoured to take the second seat at Mercedes, although Ross Brawn continues to deny that the possibility even exists.

Germany’s Nick Heidfeld has also been linked to this second seat, although Mercedes’ Motorsport Chief Norbert Haug insists that drivers will not be chosen based on nationality since Mercedes is a global brand.