The Helix R56 Turbo MINI was the subject of Marc Biunno's column in the latest Roundel magazine. To read the article, click below:

The only speed mod was the Attache`. The first run was 93 octane. Then we put in some 103 oct. and the traps went up. A 113mph trap speed is equivalent to right around 400whp. See below.

Congratulations to the Jacobs, Chiles, Allen team of MINI Cooper S autocrossers for another championship this year. Their total to date is as follows:


2005 G-Stock Solo Nationals Champion
2006 G-Stock ProSolo National Champion
2006 G-Stock Ladies Solo Nationals Champion
2007 G-Stock Ladies Solo Nationals Champion

If we add in the championships that were won in Jeff's 2003 Cooper S, plus two or three (Jeff can't remember) in Chiles' H-Stock 2003 Cooper, Helix has supported something in the neighborhood of eight national championship titles since 2003. Congrats and great job.

The 2005 Cooper S and Wendi Allen (who won the ladies championship) will be featured in MINI's new print advertisement which runs starting with the Oct. 22 issue of Autoweek.

We've made some progress with our R56 ECU and are getting closer to bringing it to market. We're going to be needing some beta testers for our R56 ECU fairly soon. We should be ready to start by the end of next week/early the week after.

Here is the dyno chart Eric posted a few weeks back. A solid 25whp and 25 lb ft gain!

Click HERE to view a PDF of our latest newsletter, or contact us for a hard copy.

Once in a generation there occurs an event so epic, that it changes the course of humanity. Its impact is so profound it reverberates around the globe. On Thursday May 3rd , 2007, such an event shall take place...

Introducing MINICup3

The wide-open road will be the canvas for the 2007 MINICup3. This event will be held in conjunction with MINIs on the Dragon 2007, a celebration of all things MINI. You will match your wits against all comers in a no-holes-barred rally from One Helix Plaza in beautiful north Philadelphia, to a secret checkpoint near the Tail of the Dragon in the beautiful Smokey Mountains. This one-day, six hundred mile rally will be a contest of driving skill and stamina. It will test the participant's ability to efficiently road trip from point to point, collecting precious goods and information, without breaking the rules of the road. Points will be awarded for successful route navigation, efficiency of time, and data/goods collection. Points will be deducted for missed checkpoints, and traffic violations. He or she who collects the most points and checks in at the destination will be awarded the coveted MINICup3, as well as bragging rights as the greatest road-tripper ever.

The rally begins at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 3rd, where participants' cars will be lined up Le Mans style. All drivers (and hopefully teammate-navigators) will receive a sealed envelope with a triptych. At the sound of the starting bell, the envelopes will be un-sealed revealing the route and challenges for the MINICup3. The final check-in location will be revealed in the Triptych, where drivers will be checked in as they arrive. Then, on Thursday night, there will be an awards party and ceremony for all of the participants, crowning the new MINICup3 Champion. All participants will receive a gift packet, as well as rally insignia for their MINIs. The cost to participate is $25 per car early registration until Monday, April 2nd, or $40 up to and at the event.

For more information, please contact Helix Minisports, at 215 739 8800 or email sales@helix13.com.

May the best rallier win.

Check out Helix on the ever popular and time consuming Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/helixmotorsports. Add us. Comment. Post your car. All the good stuff.

Check out our newly updated catalog section for Official MINI Motoring Gear and Accessories

When Insults Had Class...

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
-- Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about."
-- Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries
with great pleasure."
-- Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader
to the dictionary."
-- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"
-- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it."
-- Moses Hadas

"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know."
-- Abraham Lincoln

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
-- Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
-- Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend...if you have one."
-- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second..if there is one."
-- Winston Churchill, in response

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."
-- Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."
-- John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."
-- Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others."
-- Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
-- Paul Keating

"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr

"There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure."
-- Jack E. Leonard

"He has the attention span of a lightning bolt."
-- Robert Redford

"They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum
of human knowledge."
-- Thomas Brackett Reed

"He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebearers,
but by diligent hard work, he overcame them."
-- James Reston (about Richard Nixon)

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily."
-- Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."
-- Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"
-- Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."
-- Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
-- Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination."
-- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music."
>-- Billy Wilder

Check out Nelson's Helixed-up Cooper S at TheSpeedLounge.com

Truth be told, I never had a problem with the handling on my Cooper S. The car felt great at delivery, and it felt REALLY great after installing the JCW Suspension kit. For the life of me I never expected to tinker with the suspension again. But of course what sounds logical never really makes sense to a MODaholic like myself, so after finishing every possible mod I had originally set out to do on my car (see my previous motoringfile article for all of those juicy details) I was just looking for something to play with. Enter: The Rear Sway Bar. So much has already been written about this extremely effective (and inexpensive) mod that I won’t bore you with reiterating it all. But for the uninitiated I will sum it up as probably the single best suspension mod you can perform. Dare I say, even more exhilarating than my coveted JCW Suspension kit. But first a little bit on the install…

Having had such a great experience with my pulley install, there was no other person I would even consider going to but Eric at Helix in Philadelphia...
Click here to read the rest of the story!!!

Ahem, that's Point Of Sale. And what that means to you is that we now take debit cards for service in the shop (of course we still accepts credit, cash, checks and beer). So come on in and we'll let you play with the handy dandy Pinpad.

First thing’s first: I Love The MCSa. Of course I’m a sucker for all things MINI, but this car seems to have super powers. It can turn regular driving into a near video game with its paddle shifters, and it has also sparked more debate amongst the MINI faithful than any topic I’ve seen on any message board. While some love to bash it for not having a manual shift (which still boggles my mind to this day) others have grown to love it for the truly unique experience it provides. I am one of the latter folk, and just may be the biggest proponent of the model around. I love it so much in fact that I have gone on a bit of a crusade to turn it into the best possible MCSa that I think it can be. This review is the culmination of that year long quest to perfect a car which (in my opinion) is pretty damn close to perfect to begin with. But first, a little history…

Click here to read the rest of the story!!!

Helix's very own Eric, along with Garret from GIAC, are featured in a very nice spread in this month's Eurotuner magazine. You can check out the article below (watch out: for readability, the scans are large in file size)



Article page 1 (213k)
Article page 2 (206k)

Helix Minisports and Rossier Dyno Research are pleased to announce that the two companies are merging. Both companies have been at the forefront new MINI tuning for the last several years. RDR, located in Wisconsin, has developed a strong reputation for suspension parts development, as well as power upgrades. By joining forces with Helix, the two companies will better be able to develop, manufacture, deliver, and install performance parts for the MINI.

RDR's existing performance parts line will now be called Helix/RDR products. They will continue to be manufactured to the same professional quality standards, utilizing the finest materials available. These prducts include the Cold Air Intake, Camber Plates, Rear Control Arms, Rear Adjustable Sway Bars and Wheel Stud Kits. Other products are in development.

All Helix/RDR products can be purchased through Helix, either by phone, or by our secure online ordering system at www.helix13.com. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Helix at 215 739 8800.

Click Forums in the menu from anywhere on the site to join in the duscussions with other Helixites on everything from 19% pulley heat generation to JLM's girlfriend.

Now all of your favorite MINI tuning bits are just a click away with helix13.com's new secure online ordering system. Not all of our items are quite ready to be sold via the information super highway, but we are working to get them there. Right now, though, you can order the most crucial pieces like Short Shift Kits, Supercharger Pulleys, RDR Rear Sway Bars, and others online with your favorite credit card.

A boost gauge is the best eye candy since The Matrix. Just be sure that you keep one eye on the road as you spool up the supercharger. It can be installed with an oil pressure or temp gauge in the new SPI twin gauge pod. This pod is custom made to fit MINIs without navigation, and features twin, movable gauge cups. Just set the gauges where you want them and tighten the hex set screw (nifty hex key included).

Since you are hammering the throttle to see the boost gauge dance, add some Powerflex polyurethane bushings, to shore up the sloppy motor and suspensions mounts. Powerflex is the benchmark for spirited street driving and track use. Give us a call for our recommendation for the best combination of stiffness and comfort.

You'll notice the stiffer drivetrain as you shift through the gears with a new '04 short shift kit. The '04 kit is similar in shift throw to our popular '03 kit, and fits the newer cars. If your car was built in October of '03 or later, give us a call and we can help determine which shifter is correct for your car.

Finally, as the competition catches your vapors, they may notice that you are sporting a stylish Helix soccer jersey, teaching them where to get the go-fastest parts for your MINI. They just may be able to make out the tasteful slogan on the back...

Helix is proud to introduce the shortest shift kit on the market. Unlike other kits, this doesn't shorten the shift lever so your right hand has to reach around your right leg. It keeps the shift knob in the proper place, and shortens the throw by 34%. See Suspension/Chassis in the Products section for details.

In a joint venture with Rossier Dyno Research of Plover, Wisconsin, Helix has begun developing high performance suspension and engine parts for the new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. Helix and RDR are committed to producing the highest quality parts that are track and dyno proven to increase the performance of your vehicle. Stay tuned for new product announcements.

In their ongoing series on prepping a MINI for National-level Autocrossing, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine asked us to submit our Cooper exhaust system for a dyno shoot-out. We at Helix are always up for a good challenge and in the end of the day our cat back system……. Well, we will let GRM (Feb 2003) tell you,” The Helix exhaust came out on top of the horsepower charts with an impressive 111.1 horsepower and 104.1 lb.-ft of torque” and “the dyno shoot-out winner- the Helix system” Our Cooper Cat-back system also saves you 9 lbs. over the stock factory system. Wait until you see what our MINI Cooper S system will do.

Helix will be holding our first open dyno day on Saturday, December 14, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Measure the HP and Torque output of your MINI (or other 2 wheel drive car) throughout the rev range. We have a lift and facilities to add/remove parts so that you can test your mods as well. The cost is $50 for three pulls. For more information or directions, don't hesitate to call us at 215-739-8800.

Keeping in line with our aim to provide the best parts available for the MINI, we purchased an in house Dyno to help us provide proven performance products (WOW!!! is that a lot of P's) for our customers. In addition to helping in the development of the GIAC MINI chips, We are using the dyno for a wide variety of MINI projects as well as being available for private and group rentals. We have both an hourly rate as well as a per pull rate. Give us a call to set up a date.

Helix Minisports was featured in a nationally syndicated article regarding aftermarket tuning for the new MINI. Here's the text from the Philadelphia Inquirer 9/19/02:

MINI COOPER'S POPULARITY BRINGS NEW BUSINESS

Helix Minisports, of Philadelphia, is among the companies vying to sell performance parts for the car's enthusiasts.

By Michael Rubinkam
Associated Press

Eric Savage floors the accelerator, and the light-blue Mini Cooper S quickly pushes 50. He jerks the wheel right, then left, and the car darts from one side of the street to the other. He jams the brakes and the Mini stops - abruptly.

"Don't worry, I've been a crazy driver so long, I'm good at it," Savage quips, then quickly adds: "I'm kidding!"

Maybe about his driving, but when it comes to the new Mini, Savage doesn't joke. This one is modified with a carbon-filter intake, high-flow exhaust, and high-energy spark plugs, all of which contribute to its peppy performance.

Savage, 35, an erstwhile musician and brewmaster, recently launched Helix Minisports in Philadelphia to develop parts for BMW's Mini brand. The Mini has attracted lots of buzz among auto enthusiasts. Savage's goal is to improve the Mini's performance, from acceleration to braking to cornering. His idea is not a new one. Once a car becomes "hot" - think Volkswagen's New Beetle or Chrysler's PT Cruiser - so too does the market for performance parts. Savage, who works out of a rented garage in the city's Fishtown section, already has several competitors, both established parts-makers and new arrivals. This is not a cottage industry. Retail sales of domestic aftermarket parts hit $26 billion in 2001, growing 93 percent for light trucks and 83 percent for all other autos since 1994, according to the Specialty Equipment Market Association, an industry trade group.

"People have always loved their cars, but in the last several years they've had money to do things other than buy food and pay rent," said Rosemary Kitchin, the group's spokeswoman.

The Mini, produced in Oxford, England, had its debut at the Paris Auto Show nearly two years ago and became available in the United States in late March. Savage hopes to generate business from people such as Jason Livingood, 31, of Philadelphia, who bought his Mini last month and plans to modify what he says is already a "very, very fun car."

"Everybody is going from Point A to Point B, but this makes getting from Point A to Point B a lot more fun," said Livingood, who got rid of his New Beetle to buy the Mini. "I'm just waiting to see what these tuning companies develop."

Helix sells about 15 products, with more on the way. About one-quarter were developed by Savage and his partner, Chris Kellett. Among them: an aluminum "stress bar" that stiffens the chassis and improves handling, a heavy-duty brake rotor, and spark plugs that improve fuel combustion and thus power. Savage eventually wants all product development and manufacturing to be in-house, but for now he is also distributing other makers' parts. "A startup company needs revenue," he said. Helix has about 15 customers, with 70 more on a waiting list for a computer chip that will make the Mini's engine more powerful. Savage has no engineering degree, but he is a lifelong car tinkerer who used to work in a tuning shop. He is currently restoring a 1971 BMW race car and also plays around with a 1970 Porsche and a rare 1976 Lancia Scorpion.

In the second of two SRX7 SCCA club races, Chris, running in fourth (from eleventh on the grid)was hit from behind in turn one of Summit Point. Even before he was through the corner, Chris was able to left-right the bird both through the rear hatch and out the drivers window to the offending driver. His car, rendered useless with suspension damage was pulled onto the trailer but not before he had a few choice words for the fat-n-clumsy crasher. See him next year drinking beer in the paddock, renting his front-of-the-pack car to wealthy hotshoes.

You are about to embark on the most grueling, demanding event in the history of motorsports. If you return alive you will be looked upon as a hero on par with Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Mario Andretti. For five hours, only skill and stamina will deliver you from your wild journey around the Philadelphia area.

To join this completely new kind of road rally, enter your car of particular interest, along with a healthy appetite, by calling 215 739 8800. Noon to 5:00pm, June 1st, 2002 at Helix Minisports, 2424 Martha Street Phila. $20 includes food & beverages.

With the skinny stock tires replaced this with a set of Kuhmo Victor 700's and a proper alignment, we could not wait to start throwing this car around at a SCCA Solo II event. We enlisted the help of Local GS Hotshoe Andre Downey to help us sort out the maiden runs. As you can see in the photos, the MINI is a well balanced car out of the box. Well, the short of it is that we took a 1,2,3 in HS as well as 3rd, 8th and 9th in PAX. Not bad for two guys who have not done an autocross in a few years (Eric and Chris) Thanks you to Andre for his help and feedback. Helix Minisports will be running the complete Winter Solo II series. Stay tuned for more results
and product development.

Helix Minisports completed a day of Dyno testing to establish a baseline for our line of performance products. The results show that the factory figures of 115hp @ the crank looks like it might be a little conservative. As you can tell from the Dyno sheet the car showed 111.3 HP@ the wheels with an almost flat torque curve available from 2500RPM. Please remember that the motor @ this point only has 180 KM on it. The result were gathered using a Mustang MD-250 Rolling Road dyno @ our friend's AWEtuning shop. ECU Information was also downloaded at this time as a starting point for our chip tuning research.

After what seemed like a lifetime waiting, Helix Minisports' MINI Cooper landed on the US shores in Baltimore, MD. As you can tell from the pictures, our MINI had plenty of good company on the long boat ride over from
Europe. In addition to a host of original minis and a few odd Land Rovers, a pretty slick red SAAB 96 Rally car found it's way here. It took us about two minutes of careful admiration before Eric took off in the car to start "testing" a few things. After bouncing it around the docks for a while we loaded up the MINI on the trailer for a tow back to PA. We were completely shocked by the reaction we received on our ride home with the car in tow.
The car made a powerful first impression on the public. Let the games begin.