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The X-Raid MINI's are built buy another company similar to Prodrive but not sure how baked they are by MINI/BMW, maybe as much as Prodrive are with development of engine etc BUT I think Dakar/Raid team have better sponsors and will have larger publicity from the event and X-Raid events!
Last year Sven Quandt said that BMW/Mini give them only the engine and that's all.
Sven Quandt is the son of Herbert Quandt.
Herbert Quandt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Quandt family "owns" BMW so I'd think with Sven the situation is entirely different than Prodrive.
Quite a bit different indeed. The Dakar is a strong brand, with regular updates and live reports - just what sponsors want.
The whole Prodrive/BMW/Mini episode has been perfect example of how not to do a Motorsport project - despite all the early promise. The foundations were made of sand. One feels for the employees of Prodrive. I've always felt that 'in house Factory' teams are better than outside prep companies, and this has done nothing to change that.
Prodrive have other projects on their hands. Aston Martin, V8 Supercars etc
BUT some Prodrive staff were given opportunities they couldn't say No to after the fiasco of what was the WRC program/s and moved to VW Motorsport for the WRC ;)
Really, Prodrive should concentrate on the GT, and Aussie V8 series....and forget the WRC for now. The Mini has probably lost a years worth of development. The RRC version might make a nice National series car.
I think the future will not be so bright for Prodrive/Mini in WRC :( .
I mean why all out of sudden Mini/BMW lost interest in WRC? what has happend to make them withdraw? BMW/Mini sales is good I think, so I do not think it is money thing. Something else has happend!
BMW have never really understood Rallying - it doesn't suit their image, and they are not taking on their Premium rivals. They would argue that they made the right decision; winning the DTM in their first season back with Bruno Spengler.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostmourne
On the other hand AndyRAC, they wanted to promote the Mini Countryman... And except for rallying (WRC or Dakar), there is no other world championship where the car could be where it belongs...
BMW never lost interest. Agreement on the start of Mini project between Prodrive and BMW was very clear. BMW fulfiled this agreement, mistake is on side of Prodrive...Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostmourne