A few days ago we brought you photos of the recently released 2012 Mini Cooper. Now we have gotten word that the John Cooper Works Endurance Mini will run in the Nurnburgring 24 Hours this weekend in Germany. Competing in the SP 3T class, this will be Mini's first ever foray into 24 hour endurance racing. The JCW Endurance Coupe has been modified to handle the rigors of a 24 hour race through the 14.2 mile Nurburgring-Nordschleife.

The horsepower has been bumped up from 208hp on the standard JCW to 247hp and the torque is now at 243 lb-ft. The twin-scroll turbo N14 4-cylinder 1.6-liter engine will be put to the test having to sift through the heavy Nurnburgring traffic, though it did get some help from the engineers at Mini by stripping all the showy amenities (and seats) off the JCW bringing the weight to less than 2,200lbs down from an original of over 2,700lbs. Mini also gave the JCW Endurance the adjustable race suspension from the Mini Challenge racer, helping it handle the tough turns during its trek through the Eiffel Mountains.

Production of the Mini Cooper has already begun and the standard version of the Mini Cooper will arrive in the US in October.