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A revolutionary milestone has been reached in the Classic Mini world: the first-ever 5 Main Bearing A Series Aluminium short block assembly, designed specifically for the Classic Mini, is being crafted using the advanced Hurco machines at A&M EDM in the West Midlands.

For the past five years, we've been closely following the progress of the A+5 engine development, a project that has been the vision of Gary Surman for many years. The additional free time created by the COVID-19 pandemic, paired with the forward-thinking leadership at A&M EDM, has given Gary the opportunity to bring this dream to life. The engine is now being promoted under the Ascaso brand, and it's remarkable to see various components of this engine being meticulously manufactured on the 3, 4, and 5-axis Hurco machining centres at A&M EDM.

The original concept has now become a reality. It is now possible to purchase an engine block kit from Ascaso Engineering, allowing you to replace the engine block in your late 1950s or later Mini with a modern, high-performance aluminium block that promises a significant increase in potential power output and reliability. Several different capacity versions are being developed to support the growing ambitions of the project.​

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Upcoming Events

• Fastest Mini in the World Race (2nd-3rd August)
  On August 2nd and 3rd this year, the "Fastest Mini in the World" race will take place at Brands Hatch. Jim Lyons will be driving the A+5 turbo 16V, affectionately known as Tiffany. This vehicle will be powered by a 1273cc turbo version of Gary's A+5 engine.
• Land Speed Record Attempt (September)
  In September, Gary Surman will join a team of 68 engineers heading to Bolivia to assist in a Land Speed Record attempt. The team will be supporting Reg Cooke, a legend in the speed record world, as he aims to break the record for the World's Fastest Mini. Cooke will be driving a 1959 Mini equipped with the Ascaso A+5 1071cc block, capable of producing over 450 BHP. The test will take place at Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia's vast salt flats, offering up to 15 miles of track length.​

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Another exciting development is the creation of a new 1,600cc block, specifically designed for rallying, paired with the brand-new JTS-5 sequential gearbox. More updates on this are coming soon.

The Journey Ahead

Looking forward, Gary and the team at Ascaso are focused on getting some competitive racing miles under the bonnet to demonstrate the advantages of the A+5 aluminium short block assembly over existing alternatives. As with all new products, continuous improvement and fine-tuning have been key to the process. Despite facing challenges along the way, the progress so far has been incredibly rewarding. Though the finish line is still some distance away, we are excited to report on future achievements and milestones.​