THAT’S VERY!!! THANKS http://smil.pro/smilies/winking0017.gif
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THAT’S VERY!!! THANKS http://smil.pro/smilies/winking0017.gif
Yvan Muller will almost certainly be on a Prodrive Mini on Rallye de France...
Who's car?
prodrives....Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Mini WRC's speed in Germany. I had dreamed of Sordo fighting for the second place, with luck maybe even for the win. He had many days of tests (and somesort of upgraded 01B?) but still the overall performance was quite lame. Okay, there was a long competition pause and it's never easy when one lacks the routine so it's understandable.
What's most regrettable about the MSI/Armindo mess is the factual confirmation that BMW interest over WRC is very weak and the unusual involvement in this year championship was only due to the FIA homologation requirements.
With no further legal obligations towards the FIA, will BMW terminate the MINI participation on WRC at this season end, ceasing the car future development?
Is there any hope that a turnabout on the WRC MINI troublesome adventure is possible and BMW could regain interest over the project?
I think it all depends on Sebastien Loeb. He represents one of the major barriers to entry for new manufacturers: no matter how good their car is and how competitive their drivers are, he is virtually untouchable. Why bother entering if you can't compete with him? Sure, there are other teams competing, but they're established. I'm talking about start-up projects. Volkswagen are taking a huge risk, but I think they know Loeb won't be around forever, and if they spend time developing their cars, they'll be ideally-positioned to take advantage of the inevitable power vaccuum. And while Mini are in their second year of competition, they've been pretty half-assed about it. Their attitude reminds me of the manufacturers who used to do half-season campaigns and talk about a full entry the next year, but then they would lose interest.
If Loeb retires, then the championship will be blown wide open, and that will make things very appealing to new manufacturers. They will have the opportunity to carve out a niche for themselves.
Yes, Loeb dominance is overwhelming but it cannot be dissociated from Citroen full and direct commitment over the sport.
By using less funding and external companies, Ford and specially BMW never showed that kind of involvement and that’s why they cannot match the Citroen/Loeb wining pair.
On the other hand VW’s, and let’s hope also Toyota’s in a near future, attitude will certainly be much more challenging towards Citroen/Loeb supremacy, because it uses a similar technical and financial support.
Perhaps more than Loebs eventual departure – and it could be related - Citroen’s expected budget cuts, due to fragile economical situation of PSA, could ease the competition on the WRC field.
is Sweden wrt or what they calling themselves going to be in a mini anymore?
There is no Sweden WRT. There is Mini Portugal, and while their right to use that name is open to interpretation, I haven't heard anything that would suggest they are looking to switch makes. Nor have I heard anything that suggests Prodrive WRC is thinking about changing - if anything, they'll probably try and make a case for themselves being reinstated as the Mini works team.
@PM- I believe that skarderud was referring to Sandell's operation. He was meant to do more European events after Portugal but it has all gone quite. Although he is doing the Chinese Rally Championship again for some reason (maybe someone on here knows why he made this choice).