Prodrive Mini WRC

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Originally Posted by noel157

Maybe not a sensible explanation but here goes.......

Munich threw out the baby with the bath water. They don't want Prodrive representing them in the WRC. They have an undertaking to the FIA to enter 2 cars in the WRC but they sure as hell don't want Sordo or Meeke because they are employees of Prodrive. Easy option is to use Nobre and Araujo as their factory representatives. Sure, they both drive Prodrive built cars but Prodrive will not be directly associated with the 2 entries. Motorsport Italia will be the only preparation company connected to them. This leaves Prodrive to do as they please in an M2 capacity or even in a non-M capacity. Problem is they have no money to run two cars, maybe not even one unless they can still find renta drivers. Maybe Campana will still appear for 3 more events and others.
That leaves Prodrive on the same level as Kronos or other preparation companies. Just sub-contractors.
More importantly, what will happen next season? What are BMW's plans if, as they say, WRC is a good fit for Mini? Build their own team or just let drivers buy an M1 seat?

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All very well and good, but in terms of results there is no way BMW could possibly benefit, rendering the whole 'new-look' works effort entirely pointless. I simply can't get my head around the notion of there being any way BMW's strategy can do any good results-wise.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

If I'm not mistaken these two factors are necessary for future development of the car.

There must be an M1 team.
There must be a BMW signiture on any new homologation.

I understand BMW doesn't want Prodrive involved in either one. So will now Motorsport Italia get also over the development? Or will all the Mini project end silently at the end of the year? After a season of no results hardly someone will see the end of Mini as big news.

Another question. Who owns rights to currently homologated parts? Is it Prodrive or BMW?

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Indeed it's like that. Prodrive screwed up for finding sponsors and maybe other failures too. Motorsport Italia has the money for doing a full WRC with 2 drivers so FIA is happy with that they can be a M1 team and get new homologations. Prodrive seems to continue te development for this year now homologation seems okay and they can do a own private program.

I'm betting on Sordo going to Motorsport Italia in 2013.

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Originally Posted by bopApocalypse

Ken Block must be thrilled - he might be able to legitimately beat a 'factory' driver this year...

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What a pointless and inane comment.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

I understand BMW doesn't want Prodrive involved in either one. So will now Motorsport Italia get also over the development? Or will all the Mini project end silently at the end of the year? After a season of no results hardly someone will see the end of Mini as big news.

Another question. Who owns rights to currently homologated parts? Is it Prodrive or BMW?

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It's all quite confusing but Autosport.com report this: "Prodrive will retain responsibility for construction and support of Mini John Cooper Works WRC customer cars, while working with the BMW Group on the further development of the car, which made its WRC debut last year. The long-term homologation of the Mini has been underwritten until 2018."

Doesn't say whether they will stay with Prodrive ongoing though.

I don't see this whole situation quite as bad as the rest of you. Of course it is disappointing that BMW won't commit to a full works funded campaign with two good drivers but we all knew this announcement was coming in some way, shape or form. It could have been worse, BMW could have pulled straight away and not agreed to do any more homologations.

In my opinion, it would be good if FIA changed the manufacturer points system to something similar to IRC where the top two cars of any manufacturer score for that brand.

At least them are here.

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Originally Posted by EightGear

I'm betting on Sordo going to Motorsport Italia in 2013.

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Yeah and the team name will be changed to "Mini WRC Iberian Peninsula Team"

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Originally Posted by RS

It's all quite confusing but Autosport.com report this: "Prodrive will retain responsibility for construction and support of Mini John Cooper Works WRC customer cars, while working with the BMW Group on the further development of the car, which made its WRC debut last year. The long-term homologation of the Mini has been underwritten until 2018."

Doesn't say whether they will stay with Prodrive ongoing though.

I don't see this whole situation quite as bad as the rest of you. Of course it is disappointing that BMW won't commit to a full works funded campaign with two good drivers but we all knew this announcement was coming in some way, shape or form. It could have been worse, BMW could have pulled straight away and not agreed to do any more homologations.

In my opinion, it would be good if FIA changed the manufacturer points system to something similar to IRC where the top two cars of any manufacturer score for that brand.

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AFAIK 7 years is standard period of homologation so a car as it is NOW shall be eligible for FIA events till 2018. No relevant information in this statement...

one word comes to mind

ClusterF%%% !!!

cannot bother, too many sick dogs involved in this one....

lets hope the Mini project collapses and takes along those sick tourist dogs araujo and Nombre with it....

As for Sordo...it would be IDEAL choice for VW team in 2013...from every point of view you look at it...he has winning pace on tarmac, and he is respectable on gravel to gather good points for manufacturer title, and Spain is quite a large market....

it is better than bother with ladycup challengers.

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Originally Posted by RS

In my opinion, it would be good if FIA changed the manufacturer points system to something similar to IRC where the top two cars of any manufacturer score for that brand.

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I agree. If I remember correctly, this always used to be the case, whether or not a car/team had been 'nominated'.