MWMRacing: ‘Keene’ MINI Cooper Family
Meet the Keene family, the driving force behind MWMRacing, a prominent race team based in Orange, NSW, Australia. At the helm is Trevor Keene, the mastermind and managing director of MWMRacing, whose passion for motorsport led to the creation of a family legacy that has thrived for over 15yrs.
MWMRacing isn't just about racing; it's a blend of radio and motorsport expertise. Trevor Keene, with his extensive knowledge, serves as the managing director, lead of sales, and the technical backbone of their Motorsport Radio company
This family-run business has become a cornerstone in the Australian Production Car Championship, fielding an impressive fleet of MINIs.
James Keene (Trevor’s son) has a real passion for MINIs, Motorsport and when he’s not racing, he’s readily found contributing within the MINI Community via one of the many groups but mainly this Facebook page that’s dedicated to Australian & New Zealand MINI owners
Australia & New Zealand BMW MINI Owners
James also has a website dedicated to tracking and recording genuine MINI JCW’s globally!
It’s a great resource and is every growing. Check it out here:
The journey began in 2007 when MWMRacing made its mark in the Bathurst 12-hour race with the debut of the R53 Cooper S. Over the next 15 years, this car became synonymous with success, solidifying MWMRacing's presence in the competitive racing landscape. However, the Keene family isn't one to rest on their laurels.
The 2022 Bathurst 6 Hour marked a turning point for MWMRacing as they introduced a newly built R56 Mini Cooper S JCW in Class D. This move symbolized their commitment to evolution and improvement, transitioning from the beloved R53. Trevor Keene took on the role of crew chief, orchestrating the team's efforts, while his son, James Keene, took the wheel alongside Michael Sloss and Thomas Needham.
Trevor still gets behind the wheel of his beloved MINI R53 and can be seen here racing his son James at Bathurst. What a cool and rare thing to experience!
The race was a rollercoaster of emotions, reflecting the challenges and triumphs that define motorsport.
With the R56 now in the line up, there were a few teething issues at the beginning but the Keene family's dedication and strategic decisions were evident , showcasing their resilience and adaptability by qualifying in Pole position and recording the fastest lap time of the race!
The team returned to the iconic Bathurst track later that year to compete in the Bathurst International where James set the class lap record.
The team had some more success in the Class D Championship of the Australian Production cars competition placing 2nd outright which is incredible for the R56’s debut in the race.
This years 6 Hour event at Bathurst will see the the Keene family enter into Class C as a father / son duo which will be the first time just the two of them will be racing.
We look forward to watching what 2024 holds for the Keene family
Ryan Richards
Director
MINISTRY Auto