Timo Jouhki (manager of Mikko and J-M) said in his latest column that it seems that no new manufacturers are coming for next season.
The good part was that he is expecting 3 or 4 new manufacturers for season 2012.
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Timo Jouhki (manager of Mikko and J-M) said in his latest column that it seems that no new manufacturers are coming for next season.
The good part was that he is expecting 3 or 4 new manufacturers for season 2012.
Think Toyota were just evaluating the possibility of returning to the WRC in the sense they were just thinking about it, hence the visit to Rally Portugal.Quote:
Originally Posted by koko0703
I suspect the rumour about Prodrive was because there wasn't any solid news about Mini until now.
Would they be keen to exploit their "history" and plaster the number 37 on their doors?
Doubt that, but it would be nice to see them turn out red with a white hood or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollo
Anyway, they will only drive selected rounds of the championship next year, which I think is a wise choise. Combine it with some national rallies or IRC (if that's possible) I would say.
Hasn't that been the case for ages now? "No manufacturers coming in next year, but we are EXPECTING to see 5-10 in the year after next one..." I don't believe it before I see it.Quote:
Originally Posted by vkangas
"By expanding its all-road range, MINI is paving the way to an increasingly likely entry into the World Rally Championship. The series switches to 1.6-litre turbo engines next year, making the Canyon a prime candidate to be turned into a rally car with specialist Prodrive the favourite to run the project."
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/..._383374_25.jpg
Wow that's somehow even uglier than the Countryman. Impressive design work...
Don't know why MINI are bothering.
With the rumour that S2000/S1.6T is going to be canned sooner rather than later. It will leave these MINI's to be unwanted and the manufacturer bitter from putting in all the effort.
R1, R2, R3, R4 is the way forward and R3 would be an ideal class for MINI with their FWD 1.6 Turbo cooper S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Hi NOT,
The only fairytales I tend to indulge in are those of the Snow White variety with my three year old daughter!
I can see where your scepticism comes from, but if you read this week's MSN or Autosport in the UK you'll see that the article is pretty much spot on. I also still believe that the second driver will be either Meeke or PG.
The encouraging news though is that it looks like the BMW Mini project is about to be announced and this has to be great news for next year's WRC. I'm also encouraged by what looks like a shift towards a driver's market where talent and not the dollar is recognised.
Lots of grounds for optimism I'd say, but lets wait and see.
A tweet from Bernand Munster:
"Just saw the new Mini WRC @ Prodrive. Looks promising..."
http://twitter.com/bernardmunster