Monster Mini Drag Races Autograss Car, Two Engines Are Better Than One

It's really important how you look at things in life. Sure, you may never be able to afford a Bugatti Tourbillon. But if it's not bragging points you're after, there may be an alternative. If you want to live similar sensations for a fraction of the cost, all you have to do is find a way to build a car with an impressive power-to-weight ratio.

The lighter the car, the cheaper it should be to reach that level. Of course, it won't be the same thing, but it may be able to increase your heartbeat just as well. And today's drag race may just support my previous statement. On one side, we're looking at Liam Doran's Monster Mini Pickup.

Anyone remotely familiar with the Rallycross scene will know who this man is. He has built and driven some epic cars (including a Ford RS200) through the years, and motorsports runs through his veins as his dad owns Lydden Hill Race Circuit in the United Kingdom. That's one awesome way to get plenty of seat time, right?

Liam's car for this race is an Autograss Class 7 Mini Pickup with two Hayabusa engines placed right behind the driver. That adds up to 420 horsepower of screaming Suzuki power, which powers the rear wheels. Not only does this thing look cool, but it's also quite light at 1,279 lbs. Let me put that in perspective for you. The 2024 Indian Challenger weighs 804 lbs (365 kg).

A Series 1 Lotus Elise weighs roughly 1,664 lbs (755 kg). But if you think all that is crazy, just have a look at its opponent for the day. The Autograss Class 8 car only uses one Hayabusa engine, which means it is much lighter at 882 lbs (400 kg). Keeping the front wheels down on the Santa Pod tarmac might be difficult with those slick rear tires.

I imagine driving either of these cars would send shivers down your spine, even though they can't reach Bugatti speeds down the Autobahn. Unlike what we've previously seen on this show, the two drivers will be racing down the 1/4-mile (402 meters) today. And most of the attendees seem to favor Liam Doran's Monster Mini.

One thing's for sure: Vin Diesel would be jealous of the Class 8 car's ability to wheelie off the line- not that something like that would do it any favors. These are no 10-second machines, and they're not built for a challenge like this. But it's still fun watching them go at it for three runs before one driver emerges victoriously.