Prodrive Mini WRC

All....please note i in no way intended to offend anyone. Also, I am a "yank"and rally is not my expertise.

...but as for my comment, it was in no way anti-Mini. Mini is big here in the states...and Citroen absent. My comments were also a bit vague so I will clarify.

1. Mini was not even in the main row of pits within the compound,but ouside thereof and occupying only a fraction of the footprint of Ford/Citroen...yes I know they have fewer cars. The scope of size was very evident ( and maybe justified)....but the overall professionalism (neatness, arrangment, age, number, etc. of tools and equipment was also noticably lower. Some of the privateers had more professional/neat pit areas.

2. As a Mini (and Sordo) fan, I went to Mini's merchandise tent to get a "mechanic's shirt". The 3 young attendants could only point me to some skirts, sissy shirts, and worthless trinkets.....3 times the price of Ford/Citroen items.

3. My pass allowed me to visit with JML and PS....both exited thier cars and greeted both fans and mechanics. Very Cheerful (and JML had little to be happy about). Sordo exited his car...seemingly upset...to a larger crowd of fans than either of the Ford Guys. He barely acknowledged his fans and almost none of his mechanics.


Sordo seemed to be the fan favorite in the event....and drove his guts out. Sordo, Sandall, and TP were always greeted with a huge roar of "Mini!" or "Sordo!".

I'm not sure how all this PD/BMW crap will play out...all I am saying is it will be a crying shame if Mini leaves the sport. The sound of the car is really cool and Sordo can win in it. I am a fan...just hoping for more I guess.

Will the Swede get a 01B version of mini this season, or is he stuck with the one he got?

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Originally Posted by scorpaguy

All....please note i in no way intended to offend anyone. Also, I am a "yank"and rally is not my expertise.

...but as for my comment, it was in no way anti-Mini. Mini is big here in the states...and Citroen absent. My comments were also a bit vague so I will clarify.

1. Mini was not even in the main row of pits within the compound,but ouside thereof and occupying only a fraction of the footprint of Ford/Citroen...yes I know they have fewer cars. The scope of size was very evident ( and maybe justified)....but the overall professionalism (neatness, arrangment, age, number, etc. of tools and equipment was also noticably lower. Some of the privateers had more professional/neat pit areas.

2. As a Mini (and Sordo) fan, I went to Mini's merchandise tent to get a "mechanic's shirt". The 3 young attendants could only point me to some skirts, sissy shirts, and worthless trinkets.....3 times the price of Ford/Citroen items.

3. My pass allowed me to visit with JML and PS....both exited thier cars and greeted both fans and mechanics. Very Cheerful (and JML had little to be happy about). Sordo exited his car...seemingly upset...to a larger crowd of fans than either of the Ford Guys. He barely acknowledged his fans and almost none of his mechanics.


Sordo seemed to be the fan favorite in the event....and drove his guts out. Sordo, Sandall, and TP were always greeted with a huge roar of "Mini!" or "Sordo!".

I'm not sure how all this PD/BMW crap will play out...all I am saying is it will be a crying shame if Mini leaves the sport. The sound of the car is really cool and Sordo can win in it. I am a fan...just hoping for more I guess.

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Ok well i am one of Sordos mechanics. front left actually.

1. Yes we are not in the main arena.... we are not a manufacture any more, thats what all the turmoil at christmas/2 months ago was about. Thats not for me to comment on though as i would probably be out of a job. And its not the 'Pits' Its a service area. We tidy the few 'old scrap' tools away between services. the intention was to make the place look neater but obviously that didn't work. Yes a lot of our tools are throwbacks to the Subaru days, what do you want fast rally cars or shiny tools? What we have is getting the job done for a fraction of the other teams budgets. we spend the money where it really counts, the car!!!

2. T Shirts. nothing to do with us, pm me if you want to buy one though.... (that is a joke btw. again i would get sacked)

3. I will pass your comments on to Danny but he hasn't got to be in a good mood all the time and we dont take it personally. to be honest we are to busy to even notice him getting out of the car most the time.

I wish i knew how it was all going to pan out too! But for now we are just hanging in there doing our very best with so little resource so give us a break would you!

Any news about Sordo's program?

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Originally Posted by bubbaontour

Ok well i am one of Sordos mechanics. front left actually.

1. Yes we are not in the main arena.... we are not a manufacture any more, thats what all the turmoil at christmas/2 months ago was about. Thats not for me to comment on though as i would probably be out of a job. And its not the 'Pits' Its a service area. We tidy the few 'old scrap' tools away between services. the intention was to make the place look neater but obviously that didn't work. Yes a lot of our tools are throwbacks to the Subaru days, what do you want fast rally cars or shiny tools? What we have is getting the job done for a fraction of the other teams budgets. we spend the money where it really counts, the car!!!

2. T Shirts. nothing to do with us, pm me if you want to buy one though.... (that is a joke btw. again i would get sacked)

3. I will pass your comments on to Danny but he hasn't got to be in a good mood all the time and we dont take it personally. to be honest we are to busy to even notice him getting out of the car most the time.

I wish i knew how it was all going to pan out too! But for now we are just hanging in there doing our very best with so little resource so give us a break would you!

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what about the new suspension at gravel?

Come on guys, I'm never going to go into team details on a public forum, I like my job, well most of the time.. (that too is a joke. It's a great job) It's just a bit frustrating sometimes reading unfair critisizim when we are punching way above our weight and running on fumes so to speak.

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Originally Posted by bubbaontour

Come on guys, I'm never going to go into team details on a public forum, I like my job, well most of the time.. (that too is a joke. It's a great job) It's just a bit frustrating sometimes reading unfair critisizim when we are punching way above our weight and running on fumes so to speak.

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I think it's cool that one of his mechanics is here talking about the situation. When all of the issues between BMW & Prodrive really came to light recently, I found it very easy to criticize Prodrive over what was going on.

Having said that, I think that when you compare Prodrive's success in World Rally over the years to, let's say BMW's success in F1, it's easy to see why MINI is in the situation it has found itself. It's unfortunate that BMW weren't/aren't willing to put the required input in place in order to give Prodrive the best chance to succeed.

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Originally Posted by Barreis

Any news about Sordo's program?

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Don't you see, the program is dead. My bet, is you will see Sordo in a Ford next year.

Once again Bubba...I am on your side...the whole of my comments were inteneded only to point out the disparity in funding. It is only PD's committment and and DS's talent that is getting results.

DS and the car are proven winners. If I were in his position, I too would be a bit upset. Not only was his rally knackered by a freak failure....but he is a consistent stage winner "running on fumes" as you say.

I truly hope Sordo/PD/Mini get the money needed and they all remain together....cool car and cool driver.

Please private message me for my shirt....I wont tell.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bubbaontour

Ok well i am one of Sordos mechanics. front left actually.

1. Yes we are not in the main arena.... we are not a manufacture any more, thats what all the turmoil at christmas/2 months ago was about. Thats not for me to comment on though as i would probably be out of a job. And its not the 'Pits' Its a service area. We tidy the few 'old scrap' tools away between services. the intention was to make the place look neater but obviously that didn't work. Yes a lot of our tools are throwbacks to the Subaru days, what do you want fast rally cars or shiny tools? What we have is getting the job done for a fraction of the other teams budgets. we spend the money where it really counts, the car!!!

2. T Shirts. nothing to do with us, pm me if you want to buy one though.... (that is a joke btw. again i would get sacked)

3. I will pass your comments on to Danny but he hasn't got to be in a good mood all the time and we dont take it personally. to be honest we are to busy to even notice him getting out of the car most the time.

I wish i knew how it was all going to pan out too! But for now we are just hanging in there doing our very best with so little resource so give us a break would you!

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I am quite a fan of Prodrive Mini (it has been noted on here in the past lol) and I have a few questions (obviously for you discretion might be the best part of valor for some of them)

1) How is Kris atm? Is he going to drive at all this year, do 2013 with the team or just leave?

2) Have you guys been getting good responses everywhere you go or was Portugal a notable highlight?

3) Will you be going to NZ?