The Mini continuing four generations of Cooper family history at Goodwood

The Mini first ventured onto the road in 1959; its imaginatively condensed design was developed by Alec Issigonis in response to the high fuel consumption vehicles threatened by the Suez Crisis two years prior. It was an immediate hit with the public, a love affair that remains as strong today as it ever was.

But when it came to the track, it was Charlie’s grandfather, John Cooper, who had the vision to test just how mighty the Mini could be.

From their garage in Surbiton, John and his father Charles had established the Cooper Car Company in 1947, and together they took it to the pinnacle of motorsport. A privateer T12 and later T20 Cooper models were supplied to race in Formula 1 in 1950 and ’52 respectively, while the first works cars were entered in 1953. From there, the team went on to achieve 16 Grand Prix victories, and two Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Jack Brabham in 1959 and 1960.  

Cooper had revolutionised the sport with its rear-engine design, but results grew harder to come by after those glory years. John Cooper turned to a car that could compete in rallying, and appealed to his friend Issigonis for his assistance on the development of a racing Mini. The Mini Cooper arrived in 1961, with the more powerful Mini Cooper S launched in 1963.

Over 4,000 Mini Cooper Ss were produced, as it dominated rallying during the mid-1960s, picking up multiple championships and wins including at the Monte Carlo Rally in ’64, ’65 and ’67. The Mini Cooper S Charlie will be racing at the Revival is from 1965 and is a family car, owned by the Cooper Car Company.

While Charlie admitted that “it didn’t race much in period”, it’s familiar enough with Goodwood having first raced at the Motor Circuit in 2019. “It's been here at the Revival a few times and we're back with Karun Chandhok racing it [in 2026]. I think this is the fourth time we've been racing it together.”

The 1.3-litre engine is prepared by Swiftune — “as all the fastest Minis are” — and it needs all of its 132PS (97kW) when it comes up against Ford Mustangs, Galaxies and Thunderbirds in the St. Mary’s Trophy.

It’s a race notorious for its exhilarating duels between the American brutes and the agile Minis, and while the former typically come out on top, the Minis have their strengths which keep them in the fight, as Charlie knows all too well. 

“Obviously, they've got us in the straights, but going around the corners, we can have a bit of fun and go around the outside. Being in a race where there's lots of different cars here is good fun.”

To maximise his and Chandhok’s chances in the race however, Charlie might be among a scarce few hoping for a wet weekend. “The Revival's brilliant when it's in the sun because everyone has fun, but we quite like it raining because we can go quicker than the big cars.

“We just want to do well amongst the Minis, that's kind of the aim, and if it's raining, who knows? Maybe we'll be right at the front of the grid.”

A Mini hasn’t taken a victory in the St. Mary’s Trophy since 2009, when Oliver Gavin and Nick Swift topped the timesheets — albeit in a grid almost entirely comprised of the Morris Mini Cooper S. Still, come rain or shine, Charlie always finds a reason to enjoy being at the wheel of a Mini Cooper.

“You can rev them right up to 9,000rpm and it just makes you smile. I think whenever I drive with any professional drivers that come to Revival, whenever they get in a Mini they always seem to be smiling when they come out, so I think they're pretty special.

“The thing about the Mini is it kind of transcends class. In the 1960s, everyone from grandmothers to rock stars drove them, and I think BMW did a great job launching the new Mini, so it still survives today. It's still a cool car, but lots of different people like it. Everyone wants to come and have a look at the Mini.”

That was certainly the case in the paddocks during the Revival Test Day. The morning session presented a handful of minor electronic issues — “which doesn’t seem right to say for a classic car,” joked Charlie. “But it’s stuff we can fix. I think the car hasn't been out for a couple of years, so it's kind of shaking it down, getting it ready, but it should all be fine for the Revival.”

Competing at Goodwood remains something special for Charlie and his family, given the generational connections it stirs. For all his experience at the Motor Circuit, the sentiment is as poignant as ever as he prepares for his fourth Revival contest.

“Our family has always raced here. Coopers have raced here since the days of Formula 1, so there's family racing, but also our team racing, to keep that link. To race here as a family with a Cooper Car Company car that's ours is still really special.”

Photography by Joe Harding.

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