Prodrive Mini WRC

This whole issue is farcical. I'm a WRC fan, and I have no idea what is going on. So what about casual fans? In fact does anyone have a clue about what is really going on? The article with the Mini boss saying how great it was to have 3 podiums in 7 starts, what planet is he on? The driver who scored these results has now been demoted to a 'works-supported private' drive. Why do mini think they are better off with an average Joe, and a snail driving the cars that the world we see as the 'works' cars.

Actually, looking at it from a different point of view the world wont see them making fools of themselves because the WRC wont even be on TV for all the rounds as I can see it at the moment. When I started watching Rallying I never thought it would take such a dive in so many ways.

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Originally Posted by Doon

This whole issue is farcical. I'm a WRC fan, and I have no idea what is going on. So what about casual fans? In fact does anyone have a clue about what is really going on? The article with the Mini boss saying how great it was to have 3 podiums in 7 starts, what planet is he on? The driver who scored these results has now been demoted to a 'works-supported private' drive. Why do mini think they are better off with an average Joe, and a snail driving the cars that the world we see as the 'works' cars.

Actually, looking at it from a different point of view the world wont see them making fools of themselves because the WRC wont even be on TV for all the rounds as I can see it at the moment. When I started watching Rallying I never thought it would take such a dive in so many ways.

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It´s politics. And I think we shall not put big issue of who is private or factory driver at this point.

Main thing is that Mini and BMW is still on the track. And PD as their developer. Let´s then see what happens in a few months, and mainly in 2013.

Very bad news: Prodrive, Sordo and Name do not compete in Mexico

Strange that Name received the car to testing and now do not compete in Rally of Mexico.
http://translate.google.pt/translate...ories%2F103216

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Originally Posted by sollitt

Unless you were present at the board meetings and have full understanding of the issues and intents you are clearly not qualified to make such a judgement.

In actual fact, this whole situation may be exactly what the WRC needs. Notwithstanding that Prodrive began the Mini WRC programme, and hold the technical expertise & IP, we now have a situation where a 'private' team will not only be competing with the factory team on the same level, with the same machinery but, in all likelihood, will lead the way.
If it can endure it may well be a model picked up by other manufacturers.

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Interesting point. But I don't think that having Motorsport Italia involved as the works team is a bad idea. Even considering the little things like dealing with media and press. Will BMW now have to push out releases praising Nobre and Arujo while not mentioning that the Red and White cars are actually doing much better.

I don't think there is any logic in having an outside team use the same technology as a works outfit and win. It caused issues for Red Bull in F1 and I don't think BMW will want to repeat that. Having a lot of customers in this ear seems to be the thing to do but it is also important to keep these customers at arms length so they don't humiliate the factory boys. Sad but true. With Motorsport Italia it seems that BMW has just inverted this convention and it will remain to be seen if this was a good idea or not. BUT I am glad that there has been a temporary solution to this problem. I think if MINI continues in the WRC BMW will want to take as much of the program in-house as possible.

This thing with Prodrive not going to Mexico is pretty much what I wrote yesterday. This is the start of the wind down. I can see them doing another few European rounds convenient to the UK but if they are still going by Rally Deutschland I will be surprised.

As a business unless they are severely contractually obligated there is little point in continuing. Prodrive needs manufacturer backing and finance in addition to sponsorship to make a full programme viable.

They will not land another car maker in the WRC if there name is constantly attached to Mini.

Sordo "I know nothing"

Google Oversetter

But they need to sell the cars and Araujo and Nobre can't bring top results so they must compete with top driver. And that's Sordo.

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Originally Posted by WRCS14

They will not land another car maker in the WRC if there name is constantly attached to Mini.

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It would be worse if they enter a legal battle with BMW...

Germans are very pragmatic, surely they've remember Subaru last years, with little joy and big Prodrive factures, so they get this "divorce settlement" in order to let Prodrive go in a pacific and not to expensive way.

Prodrive got some jewels (costumers programme) Mini kept the house (WRC project) and until parent ship it's matured kids have a new tutor (italia motorsport).

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Originally Posted by Plan9

I don't think there is any logic in having an outside team use the same technology as a works outfit and win. ................. but it is also important to keep these customers at arms length so they don't humiliate the factory boys.

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This is nonsense and, frankly, is one of the reasons the WRC is in the parlous state it is today.
There is every logic to have the entire contingent of any brand performing well and, regardless of which team wins the silverware, sharing the spoils of victory.
This is the way it always used to be and it only built strength in the sport.
Take a look at the Aussie V8's. In all the years Ambrose was dominant, Seton headed the factory team. What did he win? Nothing. But every Monday morning Ford still ran their advertising boasting about winning on Sunday. Factory or private team - didn't matter one iota to them.
Where there is no logic is the dumbing down of the back up teams who actually make up the greater proportion of those representing your brand.

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Originally Posted by WRCS14

This thing with Prodrive not going to Mexico is pretty much what I wrote yesterday. This is the start of the wind down. I can see them doing another few European rounds convenient to the UK but if they are still going by Rally Deutschland I will be surprised.

As a business unless they are severely contractually obligated there is little point in continuing. Prodrive needs manufacturer backing and finance in addition to sponsorship to make a full programme viable.

They will not land another car maker in the WRC if there name is constantly attached to Mini.

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Isn't BMW/Prodrive obliged to enter at least 10 events this year? I thought that was part of the agreement with the FIA. Next year they have to do all the rounds. Or has this situation been even more complicated by the recent controversy?