Prodrive Mini WRC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dimviii

Μιni was slower on most stages at Wales even from client drivers with Fiesta .I measure the diff and was about 1 sec/km(0,7-1,3sec/km).There is no 0,5 sec/km.
That you said about the bold is not right.Because others are developing their cars too.Mini in Wales was slower than other gravel rallies was competing.
Mini in Italy, was way faster than Wales.Till now we haven t see progress from Mini.

---

Read what I wrote, not what you think I wrote. 6 events, look at the times when all was well with the car and Meeke (in this instance) was comfortable with the stage and the car was healthy.
And you think Mini has made no progress? What planet are you on? Absolute nonsense.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dimviii

He confirms that '' we have an agreement with Prodrive to run 2 cars for the whole season'' ;)
Also watch what he says about the engine...'' it is better to run(Prodrive) the engine development further,so you can balance your money better''

Its clear that bmw-mini doesn t want to spent further money at this project.
Prodrive must find sponsor if they want to compete.Thats what i understant from Mr Dirk Hollberg.

---

Who is this? Any guess on potential sponsors? I'd like to think that the driver line up will remain unchanged.

One would believe Sordo wil bring in the big €€€€'s with Spainish sponsors for the team... He's the Sainz of rally drivers now if I may say :D

I think the whole 'will they, won't they' thing regarding budgets for 2012 is just Dave Richards and BMW arguing the toss over an extra few million euros. BMW want to throw money at their sportscar racing which makes sense but with VW entering the WRC arena they now have some German pride at stake and they cannot say that they aren't getting value for money out of the MINI project in terms of marketing.

Dave Richards needs a sponsor, all of the teams have them so why would he be able to get by without one? He is just being lazy and trying to get the money out of BMW before he has to start looking elsewhere!

2011 has been really promising for the MINI team and I hope they can build on things in 2012 although they now aren't going to test for two of the key events they didn't do last year and not homolgate any new parts until March which seems a bit silly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

One would believe Sordo wil bring in the big €€€€'s with Spainish sponsors for the team... He's the Sainz of rally drivers now if I may say :D

---

Well he has taken his time. I just hope that Mini will not still be the slowest of the Manufacturer teams next year. I also worry about the effect that VW will have as they are both targeting the same sponsors and place in the market.

Do you actually see MINi as German?! :s

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

Do you actually see MINi as German?! :s

---

Most 'car guys' know MINI is German, but the mainstream press (both motorsports and general automotive) seem to pull the "MINI is British" line pretty hard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bopApocalypse

Most 'car guys' know MINI is German, but the mainstream press (both motorsports and general automotive) seem to pull the "MINI is British" line pretty hard.

---

Maybe that's because the shell, built in Britain, is delivered to the Banbury factory. There it is worked on by a team of British mechanics to turn it into a WRC vehicle by using components sourced internationally (including the engine ;) ) - as is the case for most auto engineering. A team of predominantly British engineers and support crew then look after the team affairs during events. Then to top it the cars are painted in historic BL red/white with a Brit in one of the cars. The fact that, up to now, German euros have paid for it, is immaterial to most UK rally fans.

I reckon most rallyfans in the UK know it’s really German, but with the history of BMC/ BL Mini, and because of Prodrive/Kris Meeke – we tend to ‘claim’ it as a British car. Of course, the press fly the flag – and anything that gets column inches, tv/radio for the sport is good....as WRC coverage in the mainstream is pretty poor, despite a brief mention of the ‘Rally of Wales’ in Breakfast News. Let's hope a sponsor can be found....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by noel157

Read what I wrote, not what you think I wrote. 6 events, look at the times when all was well with the car and Meeke (in this instance) was comfortable with the stage and the car was healthy.
And you think Mini has made no progress? What planet are you on? Absolute nonsense.

---

Absolute nonsense is to know 5 months before the homologation of parts,that the difference they are going to have is 0,5sec/km.After the 0,5sec/km, you claim that they are going to win,while the differnce with Citroen/Ford is about 1sec/km.I am very happy i am not in the same planet as you, 5 months ahead of earth.So you have to read again what you wrote,and don t tell me to read you properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by noel157

The March 1st 2012 homologation upgrades should give the car the extra 1/2 sec / km that they need. If all goes well a win next season could well be possible. .

---

Absolut nonsense is that mini is progressing,while in Sardignia was faster than in Wales.
Absolut nonsense is to read an interview and to be unable to understand the meaning.