Prodrive MINI Countryman WRC launch in March?

[mab01uk]

Latest according to 'Motorsport News':
Representatives of MINI visited the Rally Sweden last week on a fact-finding mission together with key Prodrive personnel, including chairman David Richards and technical director David Lapworth.
Work is well underway back in Banbury on the MINI project, which is set use a brand new turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The MINI Countryman based 4x4 is expected to begin its initial testing programme this summer.
Prodrive technical director Dave Lapworth and ex-managing director of the Subaru WRT Richard Taylor, accompanied Richards on the fact-finding mission in Sweden. The party also met with controlling representatives of the World Rally Championship during the weekend.
The official launch of the Prodrive MINI Countryman WRC is expected to take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Meanwhile, Mads Ostberg stated to maxrally.com that he was currently in negotiations with Prodrive regarding the possibility of driving the Mini next year.
“I’m talking to Prodrive and both of us are interested in continuing working together,” said the Norwegian. “I definitely think that I am worthy of a drive with them. But it’s difficult to say exactly what we can do with them because we have been struggling quite a lot with cars and confidence. I think with a good team and some testing it’s possible to fight for good positions, definitely.”

More.......
http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/02/19/dev...MotoringFile%29

"The development of the car was made possible by BMW’s exit from F1 and increased focus on production based series such as WRC, ALMS and the WTCC. It was also made possible by the WRC’s new engine rules which focus on production based 1.6L turbos. All this gives the upcoming Countryman rally car a tangible link to the production variant (especially the rumoured fire-breathing JCW version).
In all the 2012 WRC season is shaping up to be a glorious return for MINI into a sport that has a great deal of historical significance for the brand."

Ex-rally driver Paddy Hopkirk, who won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S, continues to work for BMW as an ambassador, told Motorsport News, “The level of engineering is amazing and very diligent – they’re a company that doesn’t take shortcuts. Everything they do they do well. If there is a problem they will throw more money at it until they get it right. Without the [BMW Sauber] Formula One project there could be the money to do that."
“People love the Mini and actually love the new Mini as well. It would be terrific to see Mini in the WRC. I’ve got the highest respect for the company and it would be magnificent for the glory days of rallying to return and for Mini to be a part of that. I drive a MINI on the road and I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t believe in the product. I love the car.”

[Paul]

I was reading that this morning on Rally Buzz: Prodrive MINI Crossover WRC project on schedule | RallyBuzz

It's an exiting proposition I think.

[newbeemini]

Mini back in rallying you bet it is!

[CharlieCroker]

i can maybe see it working but least there giving it a go.
i think the countryman looks like an ace car and 4 doors, wow.

found this and just thought wow
Mini Countryman - News - 80th International Motor Show, Palexpo-Geneva, 4th to 14th March 2010. World premieres in car industry, international car exposition

how much do you think its gonna cost?

[kierangray]

i nipped over to the motorshow on saturday
you can see my photo's of the mini stand below ( link)

Kieran Gray's Photostream

[toovo1985]

This will be awesome...it's amazing to see Mini returning to rallying. And amazing how the brand is growing...BMW really gave it a big impulse...it will surely become a case study

[Neilstar]

Might also see a Prodrive special edition, or limited edition models to meet the homologation rules. Would be truly awesome!

[ruf]

No manufacturer runs Group A class anymore. They are all in WRC class, so they do not need to homologate. That's why you don't see any Citroen or Focus homologation specials, and why the WRX and the Evo have grown farther away from being rally-derived cars.

[job705w]

Quote: Originally Posted by newbeemini (original)

Mini back in rallying you bet it is!

i have been reading many website and motorsport paper and articles why in the hell is b m w treating prodrive so dam bad and dropping the mini from the w r c proTH ON THE EVENTS IN GB 2011 AND ALSO MONTE CARLO, WHEN THE MINI DID WELL WAS HEART WARMING AND NOW WELL WHY DO WE THROW IT AWAY BEFORE IT REALLY HAPPEN FOR MINI AT THE WRC AND A WIN JUST AROUND THE CORNER TOO COME ON MINI KEEP MINI IN THE WRC AND BRITISH

[job705w]

Quote: Originally Posted by job705w (original)

i have been reading many website and motorsport paper and articles why in the hell is b m w treating prodrive so dam bad and dropping the mini from the w r c proth on the events in gb 2011 and also monte carlo, when the mini did well was heart warming and now well why do we throw it away before it really happen for mini at the wrc and a win just around the corner too come on mini keep mini in the wrc and british

i just what mini to wake up and keep prodrive in the loop , thats all gentleman and ladies what are your commentlease