Can-Am Mini Challenge

09/21/2026

🏁 **FROM THE TRACK TO THE TWISTIES: CALLING ALL CLASSIC & MODERN MINI ENTHUSIASTS!** 🏁

Whether you’re pushing your A-series to the limit on the track with us at the Can-Am Mini Challenge or carving up scenic back roads on the weekend in your street car, one thing is for certain: there’s nothing better than bringing the community together!

If you love apexes, beautiful scenery, and unmatched camaraderie, you’ll definitely want to mark your calendars for Mini Meet West 2027!

Co-hosted by the Victoria Minis and Vancouver Mini Club, this incredible four-day gathering brings together Classic Minis (1959–2000), BMW MINIs, and unique variants (Wolseley, Riley, Innocenti) from across North America. All are welcome - and especially race cars are invited to join the fun at the Show & Shine, Autocross, social events, and more!

📍 Where: Beautiful Vernon, British Columbia (Okanagan Valley)
📅 When: July 5 – July 8, 2027
🏨 Host Hotel: Prestige Vernon Lodge & Conference Centre

Why Can-Am Drivers & Fans Will Love It:

🏎️ Autocross Action: Put your driving skills and vehicle setup to the test on the autocross course.

🗺️ Scenic Rallying: Experience the stunning lakes and rolling twisties of the Okanagan Valley. Seriously, this location is amazing and the roads are perfect for Minis/MINIs!!!

🚗 Show & Shine: Celebrate the heritage, engineering, and custom builds of classic and modern Minis alike.

🍻 Unbeatable Community: From the Meet & Greet to the Funkhana and Banquet, connect with fellow drivers, builders, and lifelong Mini fans.

Whether you're bringing a full-race build to display, a restored classic, a dedicated rally car, or your modern daily driver, Mini Meet West is the ultimate celebration of the iconic marque.

👉 Check out event details, schedule, and hotel booking for Mini Meet West 2027:
https://2027.minimeetwest.com/

👉 Keep up with all our Can-Am Mini Challenge race updates & news:
https://canamminichallenge.com/

Put this event on your 2027 must-attend event now! Are you planning to make the trip out west? Let us know in the comments below! 👇🚗💨

09/18/2026

Want to join us for the epic Mini Challenge next June, but you don't have a race Mini? Check out this one for sale now! 👍⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/share/18G1S7kA3s/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/27/2026

🏎️ Host Hotel Booking is OPEN for the 2027 Can-Am Mini Challenge!

Heading to the track with us? We’ve secured an exclusive group rate at the Holiday Inn Express Bowmanville—just 20 minutes from the circuit!

Rooms are limited and expected to fill up fast alongside the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix.

Want the discount code and booking link? 📩
Send us a Private Message right here on Facebook with your preferred email address! We'll add you to our official event mailing list and send the complete booking package straight to your inbox.

Don't miss out on our group booking rate, free hot breakfast, and staying close to the action.

Drop us a PM today! 🏁

08/09/2026

🏁 Fantastic news from the paddock! 🏁

Absolutely delighted to hear that Dee Fragos will be joining the Can-Am Mini Challenge Race as Toybox Racing's Official Crew Chief!

Dee is a true legend in the global Mini community — a master mechanic who's kept more Minis on the road than anyone can count, a world traveller, musician, and the driving force behind Mini Pickup International and PupFest. He doesn't just fix cars — he empowers Mini owners everywhere he goes.

🙌His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Mini and his boundless passion for this community make him the perfect choice to lead the Toybox Racing team into battle at VARAC this June 2027. 🇨🇦
🏎️

If you're heading to the Can-Am Mini Challenge, be sure to swing by the Toybox paddock and say hello — he'll likely have a wrench in one hand and a smile on his face! 🔧

😄Welcome aboard, Dee — and good luck to Toybox Racing! 👊🏁

🔗 https://canamminichallenge.com/

🔗 https://toyboxracing.com/

Welcome to Toybox Racing Minis!

08/03/2026

🏁 **SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT!** 🏁

The Can-Am Mini Challenge team is pleased to announce Janderson Heads as a returning Class sponsor for our next big event! 🎉

Hosted by VARAC, the race will take place at the iconic Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport) during the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix event in June of 2027. 🏎️💨

Jason Anderson has once again stepped up to support the Mini racing community. Need proof of performance? Janderson Heads powered the 2024 Can-Am Mini Challenge overall winner, Greg Wold’s car, along with the 2nd and 5th place finishing cars of Dan Wold and Paul Bastyr, respectively! 🏆🔥

Expect to see more Janderson Heads-equipped cars tearing up the track in 2027!

Learn more about the event, the track, and our amazing partners here:
🔗 Can-Am Mini Challenge: https://canamminichallenge.com/
🔗 VARAC: https://www.varac.ca/
🔗 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: https://canadiantiremotorsportpark.com/

07/31/2026

🏎️ 2027 Can-Am Mini Challenge Race: Event Update July 31, 2026

Gear up Mini racers!
The iconic Can-Am Mini Challenge is returning to the high-speed twists and turns of Mosport next June. Our event is hosted by VARAC, and will be a featured class during the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or taking on Mosport’s legendary elevation changes for the first time, here is everything you need to know to get ready.

📅 Event Schedule Overview
Wednesday, June 16 | Arrival & Tech Inspection
Arrival: Registration opens at the main track gate.
Tech Inspection: Opens at 5:30 PM and runs until dusk. To make things easy, Tech inspectors will likely visit our dedicated Mini paddock directly!
Thursday, June 17 | Test & Tune / Community Night
Practice Day: Mandatory practice session for drivers who have not previously competed at Mosport.
Tech: Available all day in the paddock.
Track Walk: Permitted on Thursday evening after track activities wrap up.
Potluck Dinner: Join the group in the paddock Thursday evening! Bring a dish, grab a drink, and catch up with fellow racers.
Friday, June 18 | Practice & Qualifying
Dial in your setup and lock in your starting position.
Saturday, June 19 & Sunday, June 20 | Feature Races
Wheel-to-wheel action all weekend! Note: Your finish position in each race determines your starting position for the next.

🏆 Race Classes
We will be hosting four distinct classes within the Can-Am Mini Challenge feature races:
Small Bore
Big Bore
GT-4 / GT-5 / GT-L
Mini Variants

🛠️ Tech Inspection & Safety Checklist
Please review the following requirements before arriving at the track:
Fast-Track Tech: If your car has a valid annual tech stamp from your home sanctioning body (dated within one calendar year of the event), simply present your logbook and helmet at Tech.
Helmets: Must be rated Snell 2020 or newer.
Seatbelts: Harnesses must be within their valid expiration date.
Fire System & Window Nets: Dates are not actively checked, but equipment must be present and functional.
Lithium Batteries: Allowed, but must be declared at Tech. You will be issued a specific hazard sticker to place on your car for safety crew awareness.
Decals: Official event decals will be provided. Required sponsor decals must be placed as directed, and VARAC decals must be placed on both sides and the rear of the car.

🏨 Accommodations & Paddock Camping
Hotel Block: A special group rate has been arranged at the Holiday Inn Express Bowmanville—located just 20 minutes from the track. The group rate is only available via the link, so please do not call the hotel directly or book on the hotel's website.
📩 A dedicated booking link for the group rate will be emailed to drivers in September.
Camping & RVs:
Dry camping / RV spots (no hookups) can be rented directly through the track.
Overnight stays in your race rig inside the paddock are permitted.

⛽ Track Amenities & Logistics
Trackside Tire Service: Capable of servicing 12-inch wheels and larger. Please plan accordingly if you run 10-inch wheels.
Fuel Station: Pay-at-the-pump (Credit Card only). Available fuels include Unleaded 98, Unleaded 94.9, and Leaded 110 (Approx. $18/gal).
Food & Atmosphere: Expect a fantastic crowd! There are plenty of concession stands throughout the facility, and the Mini Meet North group will be setting up a dedicated compound—making this one of the premier spectator events of the season.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me for questions or assistance. See you in the paddock!

John Wittenauer
Event Chairman, Can-Am Mini Challenge Race

02/26/2026

Check out this awesome in-car video from the 2021 VARAC Vintage Grand Prix, courtesy of Toybox Racing! Fortech Mini mixing it up with the big dogs - the track is fantastic 🏁👇

Andy Nelson racing the Fortech Mini with the big dogs in a mixed open class.

02/25/2026

🏁 THE MINIS ARE COMING NORTH! 🏁

We are officially putting the “CAN” back in the Can-Am Mini Challenge Race! 🇨🇦

Mark your calendars for Father’s Day Weekend, June 2027, as we take over the legendary Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) in Bowmanville, Ontario. This isn’t just a race; it’s a pilgrimage to one of the most historic and exhilarating tracks in North America—and quite possibly the best Mini track on the planet.

We’re proud to announce that the event will be sanctioned by VARAC, joining the 47th running of the Vintage Grand Prix. 🏎️💨

What to expect:
✅ High-octane on-track action
✅ Live music & paddock entertainment
✅ Camping, hot showers, and great food
✅ The ultimate community of Mini enthusiasts

Start prepping those A-series engines now. This is the one you don’t want to miss!

📍 Location: Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park), Ontario
📅 Date: June 2027 (Father’s Day Weekend)
🔗 More Info: https://canamminichallenge.com/