Prodrive Mini WRC

Armindo Araujo Press Release of August 22th

Armindo Araújo: The truth, always

Following the media release issued by Motorsport Italia, informing that Armindo Araújo and Miguel
Ramalho will no longer be part of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL, Armindo Araújo considers that now is
the right time to issue this statement after compiling all the facts and seek the truth. Therefore he
would like to clarify all points linked to this matter:

I- There were clear objectives set for the project in 2012. We started the season with a
very interesting result in Rally Montecarlo but only in Rally Sweden we launched the
WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL. From Rally Mexico onwards, Motorsport Italia attempted to
camouflage all the technical problems and blame the faults of the same, to the drivers
Armindo Araújo and Paulo Nobre. From this moment also, Motorsport Italia, tried to
object against my Media Releases, arguing that there were negative mentions to the
team and Mini itself. I would like to reiterate that all Media releases were previously
approved by Mini Portugal and in no circumstance there were no negative references to
them. I always defended the team and brand with whom I was linked to.

II - To prepare the asphalt phase of WRC and the new MINI JCW WRC version 01B, I was
invited by Motorsport Italia, on the 17th of July, 2012, for a test program to be held in
Italy between 10th and 12th of August. Only on the 8th of August, 2012, I received the
GPS coordinates of the location. During the three days I’ve stayed in Italy and I was not
allowed to test the car, instead I was put under pressure to declare myself sick and to
take part of Rally Germany - in attachment proposal from Motorsport Italia, of my
incapability, writing their own text to communicate the "disease". At that time I could
not believe I was receiving such proposal or suggestion.

III- On the 15th of August 2012, Motorsport Italia, requests me permission to use the
license of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL - which exclusively belongs to Armindo Araújo,
Lda - to be used with another driver up till the end of the season. For obvious reasons I
declined the permission to use the license. On the following day the 16th of August,
Motorsport Italia informed me that I am no longer the driver of the team or any
associated team of the group starting from Rally Germany and till the end of the season
with no justification or valid explanation.

IV- On the 17th of August, I informed Motorsport Italia, MINI Germany and MINI
Portugal that I have collected all necessary documentation about this matter and deliver
it to my team of lawyers, lead by Dr. José Pedro Gomes, who will take all necessary legal
actions to protect my name and as well the project which I respect enormously and now
sees national values in stake.

V- It has been always my position to seek for the truth and respect the justice. All my
Sponsors have been already informed of all the facts and support me entirely on my
decision to take this matter to legal action. For all said above, and due to the straight link
to my image, myself and my sponsors agree to remove all the advertising of car number
12 of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL.

To finish, I would like to inform that according to my duty, I have reported all the facts
to FIA, and I am currently waiting for their feedback, believing that the truth is above all,
and the good name of myself, my Sponsors and my Country is reestablished and honored
respectfully.

Link to the proposal from Motorsport Italia, of my incapability, writing their own text to communicate the "disease".

Tourist driver vs amateurish team....

Who will win ?

Who cares ?

LOL

But N.O.T

If it were Ogier or another well known driver what would you be saying?


It has nothing to do with what kind of driver they are, it's the principle of what has happened!

I care - we can't just talk about Loeb all the time. I think this is an interesting story. Araujo won two PWRCs - yes that's an easier feat than WRC but I was surprised as I feel he is not a 15th-place driver, skill wise. There may be more to the story to come. Technical problems or an ill-prepared team can easily derail a campaign. I am not some Portuguese nationalist or something but I expected more of Armindo and wonder at his results this year.

We all enjoy reading Antony Warmbold's behind-the-scenes of his team/privateer situation (despite him not being as fast as Loeb, N.O.T.) and I am curious to learn more about how a team Araujo has been so involved in is able to pressure him to leave. It's interesting to see Atkinson in a WRC car again, but what weird circumstances to be driving in this team another driver built and gained sponsors for, and now was forced out.

I agree that the results of Ar.Ar. this season is very strange. Would like to think he was / is faster than the results indicate.
But we must also remember that the team must think of its reputation.
And mabye, i said mabye, he's not faster after all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

But N.O.T

If it were Ogier or another well known driver what would you be saying?


It has nothing to do with what kind of driver they are, it's the principle of what has happened!

---

i do not know what your age is but you should start thinking before posting...please.

IF it was Ogier or another well known driver the chances are he would not have to be in a C class team... and the chances also would be that the results would be there and there would be NO chance in a million years a never been to steal his seat like that....

Why atko didn't replace sordo tanak neuville ostberg ????

Meeke? Everyone ravs on about him... sorry I wrote Ogier... He was in Jr Citroen team before... so that's B class team...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by N.O.T

Tourist driver vs amateurish team....

Who will win ?

Who cares ?

LOL

---

If you write in a world class forum like this, is obvious that not only Loeb & friends have place on the WRC scene. There is place for everybody, and you are a good example :D

I wrote some months ago that Armindo is not a driver as fast as Loeb or Latvala, but is not as weak as the results with the Mini shown. The conditions on this team were unbelievable, and now is Armindo himself exposing that, and this dismiss of Armindo is something also umblievable.

I see Armindo do fantastic exhibitions. He start rally carrer in 2000, and he was champion in these year at National Promotion Championship (Win at 2nd event).
I see Armindo with a Citroen Saxo Cup realize times aproach Saxo and Punto Kit Car.
I see Armindo beat Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Evo VI and others 4wd with a Saxo Kit Car on Portuguese Championship (half gravel half tarmac) and be champion against them.
I see Armindo play with Citroen Saxo Kit Car like playstation :)
I see Armindo 4 times Portuguese Champion (2x Citroen Saxo Kit Car 2x Mitsubishi Lancer Evo).
I see Armindo fly with little Citroen and imponent Mitsibishi.
I see Armindo (with less suporter and sponsers) be 2x PWRC champion.

Armindo isn't a Loeb or a Latvala, but is defenitly not a Nobre or Oliveira (respect this guys).
It is very difficult be top driver in Portugal, litle market and poor people which atack all (Armindo have many fans, but some stupid people want a Loeb S) ). Armindo, nationality apart, have my respect and admiration. We need guys like him. Gave him a test session's for sure he do beautifull things (no 8x times champion), but regular points :)

Difference between him and Wilson? -> Papa Wilson :)
It's difficult pass to letters what i see so many years, but Armindo is one of my idols.

I have completed some rallys on eWRC database of him, see here (Introducing 2000 season)

Sorry for my poor english :)

In a few hours we will see if those accusations about crap car were true or not....