prodrive to return to the WRC ?

[Pinto]

came across this on the bbc website prodrive to return with a new manufacturer does anybody know who
also could this be subaru will not be back in the wrc or would someone like TM racing take over

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/8255586.stm

[MJW]

Probably because the F1 door keeps being slamed in DR's face. I know this is the rally forum, but honestly when you see the heritage and pedigree of some of the "new F1" teams that got the entry to F1 over Prodrive makes me think that Max, (who in his final year got revenge on Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore) certainly has something against DR as well.
Having no hope in joining F1 Prodrive have to find a top level motorsport activity and WRC fits that. My guess on teams is that its Suzuki or Proton........probably Proton
Apparently Prodrive's core of rally engineers have been working on a generic car to the new rules for some time, I guess its deciding what engine (1.6T or 2.0 N/A) and what body panels to dress it in. My bet is that if Subaru return it will be with Tommi Makinen Racing, especially if the new rules allow Group N cars, like the latest one that TMR have developed for STi

[gloomyDAY]

Renault are probably going to make an exit from F1 soon.
I hope they switch to the WRC and allow Prodrive to build their cars.

Renault Megane S2000 by Prodrive.

** You heard it here first!**

[macksrallye]

What about Mini?

BMW own Mini & have recently pulled out of F1 so will have little spare cash so they might (and I mean might) look at a venture into WRC in the future. Mini would be a good option for them too as it is a name that was once very big in rallying.

Also good for DR. He seems to have this thing for getting "British" car makers with racing histories back to their racing roots (Aston Martin for example) and Mini falls into that catagory. Also, isn't the new Cooper S a 1.6T.

[MJW]

What about Mini?

BMW own Mini & have recently pulled out of F1 so will have little spare cash so they might (and I mean might) look at a venture into WRC in the future. Mini would be a good option for them too as it is a name that was once very big in rallying.

Also good for DR. He seems to have this thing for getting "British" car makers with racing histories back to their racing roots (Aston Martin for example) and Mini falls into that catagory. Also, isn't the new Cooper S a 1.6T.
Good point - Prodrive at Banbury is in the heartland of where the old works Mini's were based in Oxfordshire.

[bluuford]

Probably because the F1 door keeps being slamed in DR's face. I know this is the rally forum, but honestly when you see the heritage and pedigree of some of the "new F1" teams that got the entry to F1 over Prodrive makes me think that Max, (who in his final year got revenge on Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore) certainly has something against DR as well.
Having no hope in joining F1 Prodrive have to find a top level motorsport activity and WRC fits that. My guess on teams is that its Suzuki or Proton........probably Proton
Apparently Prodrive's core of rally engineers have been working on a generic car to the new rules for some time, I guess its deciding what engine (1.6T or 2.0 N/A) and what body panels to dress it in. My bet is that if Subaru return it will be with Tommi Makinen Racing, especially if the new rules allow Group N cars, like the latest one that TMR have developed for STi
Definitely it should be Japanese manufacturer. in my mind it seems that in recent decade Prodrive has been the only European company who has seen some success with Japanese cars. There is special way to work with them and it seem that Prodrive knows the map for that way :-)

[turves]

I think you're reading between the lines, it doesn't say they are returning, it says they are targeting a return, there is a difference.

That said, I have heard rumours Prodrive are talking to Volkswagen

[noel157]

I think you're reading between the lines, it doesn't say they are returning, it says they are targeting a return, there is a difference.

That said, I have heard rumours Prodrive are talking to Volkswagen

Those rumours have been about for some time, no doubt fuelled by the 1,810 mm rule revision that would suit the Scirocco. As long as VW are building Raid machines can't see them entering WRC. Have they a Raid programme beyond 2010?

[Pinto]

saw a story in motorsport news a few weeks back about mini entering the WRC so maybe it could be a link

[MJW]

On the similar thread on british rally forum someone claims the "deal is done with a manufacturer and await the announcement"

[Daniel]

My money would probably be on Mini

[Helstar]

No matter with who, it's good they're back and we have 1 more manu ... but please build a competitive car this time, Mr. Richards ...

[macksrallye]

I might be wrong but didn't someone somewhere (WRC.com preview show for Aus maybe) recently talk about a Mini Crossover WRCar. Again, I might be wrong.

[noel157]

My money is on a Asian manufacturer. Don't think Mini will be in the picture. Didn't the piece about Mini just say they were "interested"? Nothing else.

[AndyRAC]

My money is on a Asian manufacturer. Don't think Mini will be in the picture. Didn't the piece about Mini just say they were "interested"? Nothing else.

I'm inclined to agree with you - though I'd much prefer it to be MINI (BMW) with their prestige, etc
F1 gets the luxury, prestige, sporting brands, WRC gets the family runaround 'normal' brands.

In the end though, another Manufacturer/s is what we all want. :up:

[noel157]

And I imagine the job cuts at Cowley earlier this year hardly sets the scene for spending millions on a motorsport project.

But as you say, another manufacturer is the most important aspect.

[urabus-denoS2000]

I'm inclined to agree with you - though I'd much prefer it to be MINI (BMW) with their prestige, etc
F1 gets the luxury, prestige, sporting brands, WRC gets the family runaround 'normal' brands.

In the end though, another Manufacturer/s is what we all want. :up:


I completely dissagre,look at what "luxury" brands did,BMW had a semi-wokrs programme for one year and now what?

BMW M3 is their last proper rally car (although a mindblowing one to be honest ;) )

I think we need a brand like Proton,a brand who will base it's image completely on rallying and stick with it

As a result you have Subaru and Mitsubishi:brands that had a very bad marketing image before rallying,now they are respectove banrds who were in WRC for a long time and are still involved in rallying..



Prefer that to BMWs,Opels,Mercedeses and their 1-year works efforts... ;)

[MJW]

And I imagine the job cuts at Cowley earlier this year hardly sets the scene for spending millions on a motorsport project.

But as you say, another manufacturer is the most important aspect.
Sure there were job losses earlier this year but recently they have re-hired staff and increased production. The Mini story is a success in mainstrean motor manufacturing. There was an article in either the Times or the Telegraph about this in the last two weeks.

[pettersolberg29]

I assume it will be Proton as they are the team that in my opinion needs most help to get up to scratch.

By that I mean they have great potential, so with help could become very impressive in the future - the new Subaru?

[koko0703]

I will wait and see what will happen with Renault. One rumor I read is that Prodriver will take over Renault F1 operation when Renault decides to pull out of Formula 1.

[driveace]

As someone said maybe Proton..Is not James Thompson doing some testing abroad for Proton with a racing saloon

[Allyc85]

Nope, Thompson is driving a Lada in the World Touring Car Championship :)

[driveace]

Really !
Long time since I worked with him