Prodrive Mini WRC

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25th April 2011, 23:38
tfp

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan9

I can't wait for the tarmac rounds (for once in ages) as I am hoping that Sordo can finally get one over Loeb. I personally think Loeb is one of the reasons the tarmac rounds have become boring.

+1 WRC needs more tarmac experts, Markko martin :( , Gilles pannizzi...
26th April 2011, 01:50
Plan9

Mini response

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zico

What do you mean by good driving position?.. High and SUV like? That can be nice on the motorways, comuting etc but very bad for centre of gravity.

You talk about looking forwards for the Tarmac rounds for Sordo because you hate seeing Loeb winning? I'd love to be able to share your optimism but I just cant see that car threatening either Citroen or Ford.

Thanks for the comments. I meant that there is alot of clearance in the cabin and you can see over the bonnet very well. You sit quite high yes, but it does not feel like you are in a massive SUV. As the WRC version will be much lower I think that the drivers will have very good vision of the roads, which could be an advantage. I am not sure what the Countryman's center of gravity is like but it is not like the SX4 which was awful.

I have great admiration for Sordo and I think he could have won a few tarmac rounds if he wasn't the victim of team orders. In Mini, he will not have the pressure and I am sure he will feel confident he can give his best. I don't think it will threaten the other cars either but I don't want to see them fighting Ken Block for 14th place; and given the promising looking test videos I don't think that will be the case. But we will both have to wait and see wont we? ;)
26th April 2011, 01:53
Plan9

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinto

agree Zico this year all i would expect out of the Mini is perhaps the odd podium.

Me too actually, I just want them to win some stages and give the more established teams a bit of a fright.
27th April 2011, 13:38
noel157

Couple of videos from last week's test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKxYEgfcGJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73fqFbLiZA
28th April 2011, 11:31
AMSS

mini

Quote:

Originally Posted by noel157

Couple of videos from last week's test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKxYEgfcGJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73fqFbLiZA

Still looks like the suspension is way off compared to Citroen and Ford, the car looks stiff and bounces alot whereas with Citroen and Ford the chassis hardly moves and the wheels/suspension does the work.
But maybe they are on to something i can`t figure out??
28th April 2011, 14:13
6789

Quote:

Originally Posted by FVS

Still looks like the suspension is way off compared to Citroen and Ford, the car looks stiff and bounces alot whereas with Citroen and Ford the chassis hardly moves and the wheels/suspension does the work.
But maybe they are on to something i can`t figure out??

Yeah I've noticed that as well. From rally Porto photos showed it lifting a front wheel in fast long corners. Hope they go well but
28th April 2011, 18:18
OldF

David Lapworth in the latest issue of “Vauhdin maailma”.

“In the design of the Mini, we questioned a number familiar solutions used in rally cars and I know that the Mini will have innovations not seen in WRC cars before.”

BTW, why is the “Prodrive Mini WRC” thread a “sticky” thread?
28th April 2011, 20:30
Zeakiwi

It looks as though the shock absorbers and springs are smaller than Fiesta/ DS3, it might mean less weight in the suspension ?
28th April 2011, 21:00
N.O.T

we have to wait and see its performance ...so far only tourist nobodies drove the car in competition so we can not have any safe results. I am sohow an optimist about the car despite the slowness shown from the testing videos...i think the drivers will manage and be relatively close to the manufacturer cars and ahead of the privateers....we will see.
29th April 2011, 13:34
cali

Quote:

Originally Posted by N.O.T

we have to wait and see its performance ...so far only tourist nobodies drove the car in competition so we can not have any safe results. I am sohow an optimist about the car despite the slowness shown from the testing videos...i think the drivers will manage and be relatively close to the manufacturer cars and ahead of the privateers....we will see.

Sometimes you surprise me with your positive attitude and I have to agree with you (this is somethig that happens very rarely :p ). Hope they will show good speed in Sardinia as both Sordo and Meeke are very good drivers and nice blokes.
3rd May 2011, 07:35
Gard

It actually looks more stable than C and F, and the engine has gotten a more potent sound to it. Maybe they have something going here
4th May 2011, 07:18
AMSS

mini

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

It actually looks more stable than C and F, and the engine has gotten a more potent sound to it. Maybe they have something going here

Stable? I think you mean that the suspensions stiffness makes the car look stable(not much body roll), but this also makes the wheels touch the ground less. This is why C and F has very soft suspension. But when looking at C and F than there is hardly any body roll sideways but quit some body roll longitudal. this is a efficient way to transfer weight to the wheels with more grip. Sideways roll would make the car slide alot therefore this is eliminated with swaybars and suspension setup on the C and F.
But as said many times before and proven right in this forum no testing video will ever show the real speed only after the first rally will we be wiser...
4th May 2011, 17:26
noel157

New promo video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMEQosfQKNE
4th May 2011, 23:04
6789

Not many sponsors for Mini yet
5th May 2011, 13:35
GigiGalliNo1

How does it sound on the WRC stages? Shakedown? :D
5th May 2011, 15:05
JRodrigues

There are some differences between the official Minis and the ones from Armindo and Daniel:

http://www.rallysport.hu/images/2011...to_023_jpg.jpg
http://www.rallysport.hu/images/2011...to_028_jpg.jpg
http://www.rallysport.hu/images/2011...to_034_jpg.jpg

Side windows and mirrors.
5th May 2011, 21:33
ste898

Dire livery for a ugly car......

But great too see another manufacturer in WRC
5th May 2011, 21:34
Barreis

+1
5th May 2011, 21:50
Fast Eddie WRC

The Mini sounds brilliant but they look awful except in Sordo's all-red livery ... :cool:

Glad to have another manufacturer in the WRC but I cant see these cars creating many sales !! :eek:
6th May 2011, 07:39
Plan9

Are there any videos of the car on the shakedown? I can't find any. I think it could do quite well.
6th May 2011, 08:34
noel157

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxfNj...yer_detailpage
6th May 2011, 23:02
Plan9

I'm so stoked about Meeke and Sordo's efforts right now. They will be challenging for wins even sooner than I thought!!! Meeke was smooth as ****...
8th May 2011, 15:53
RS

When is Mini's next event?
8th May 2011, 18:43
pantealex

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS

When is Mini's next event?

Oliveira Argentina

Araujo Akropolis

Meeke Finland

Sordo Finland
8th May 2011, 22:45
J.Lindstroem

As i understood it Flodin will have a Wrc car in Greece?
9th May 2011, 08:35
Plan9

I've read the the official team may do some non-championship events to give Kris more confidence. I don't know if that is good or bad.
9th May 2011, 08:51
mousti

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plan9

I've read the the official team may do some non-championship events to give Kris more confidence. I don't know if that is good or bad.

Belgium would be good for him :p he'll start as top favorite but don't think he'll have it so easy if he goes against the two C4's :D although the next rally in Belgium that he could drive is only in september :(
9th May 2011, 09:46
GigiGalliNo1

Any rally will be good for the team and drivers!

Meeke looked super fast compared to Ogier, but then again he didn't sweep as much as Ogier but hell, he looked fast in car vid! :D My fav new team and drivers!
10th May 2011, 07:58
Plan9

I think it might be something in one of the Italian championships. I don't understand why they are only doing 6 rallies the car seems as ready as it is every going to be.
10th May 2011, 09:32
noel157

I think they timed their debut just right because of their testing programme. 95% of the testing has been on gravel. Only one minor test on asphalt so far I think. With Germany, France and Spain coming up testing will focus on asphalt. A CIR/French championship round would make sense.
10th May 2011, 12:43
OldF

Now Mini has a decent web site. I don’t know how long it has looked like this but the last time I visit the web site it looked quite different.

http://www.minimotorsport.com/
11th May 2011, 08:41
Plan9

I want to know when you can buy merchandise. Also I am looking forward to the release of Dirt 3 so I can see how the car actually is.
11th May 2011, 09:48
nzabevAMSM

Also when will open media section for photos?
13th May 2011, 02:38
Plan9

Quote:

Originally Posted by nzabevAMSM

Also when will open media section for photos?

Look at flickr and I guess google mini/bmw.

http://www.rallybuzz.com/mini-wrc-te...n-rally-italy/

Nice article about Mini. I hope they can fulfill on the early promise soon and win something.
13th May 2011, 09:12
noel157

Plenty more to come http://www.mudsnowandtar.com/opinion...c-an-appraisal

Should do two national events before NORF and RG http://www.mudsnowandtar.com/latestn...before-finland
19th May 2011, 21:17
Plan9

Some more good news: http://www.wrc.com/news/atkinson-aim...ack/?fid=14728
Atkinson in a Citroen, Ford but most likely a MINI in Australia. I wonder if this would lead to a full time drive next year? Or would Atko need to fund it like Olivera??
20th May 2011, 07:53
HarriK

Quote:

Originally Posted by noel157

Plenty more to come http://www.mudsnowandtar.com/opinion...c-an-appraisal

Should do two national events before NORF and RG http://www.mudsnowandtar.com/latestn...before-finland

Does anybody have any rumours about Mini's Finland test days?
Maybe at the around 11th of the June... then is the next Finland championship at the Lapua... ;)
20th May 2011, 10:10
Hartusvuori

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarriK

Does anybody have any rumours about Mini's Finland test days?
Maybe at the around 11th of the June... then is the next Finland championship at the Lapua... ;)

FRC regulations would allow it, but - in my/yours/anyones dreams! Perhaps some rally in Estonia prior to NORF?
20th May 2011, 11:54
Red bull

Frankly i wasnt impresed by sordo times in sadegna he lost to the top drivers on all the stages and couldnt even beat mads times on almost all the stages.
20th May 2011, 11:54
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red bull

Frankly i wasnt impresed by sordo times in sadegna he lost to the top drivers on all the stages and couldnt even beat mads times on almost all the stages.

You do realise that they're still developing the car right?

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