Salvage 04 Mini cheap...
I doubt it really has lifter issues, it is probably the fuel injection, and if it does, so what, it should still be under warrenty...
The only problem is that the '05s are probably going to be even faster with a couple more HP, and limited slip diff.
G Stock is probably the only class with a chance of catching the Karts at least in Reno in '05... Every other competitive class got hurt a much if not worse than F125...