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Mexico is very specific event requiring special engine maps which can hardly be developed without data from Mexico. The difference to Monte Carlo is that while in MC even a bad car can win thanks to weather and tyre lottery, in Mexico never. If Your engine is not prepared for high altitudes, if Your fuel system was not tested in high altitudes You are going to have a painful event and in no way You can think about victory.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys
When was the last time Prodrive had 'real' sponsors for any WRC programme?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostmourne
The days of 555 are a loooong time ago....
Have to agree with that... Those late Subaru seasons damaged their reputation, just yesterday I saw a multi-part documentary reporting the 2006 from inside the team, and damn, they really messed it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
With the Mini I think they were expecting a big sponsor to pay their expenses all year... but maybe they were too greedy? I mean, even considering their late doubtful reputation, maybe a few minor sponsors would be better than nothing.
But, I think in the end, like already said, BMW never intended to bet that high on WRC... and after the mess with Prodrive & Armindo's team, I think they proved their true intentions... having the car approved by FIA and make a few bucks selling it to private teams, getting some marketing around the globe for a car that isn't really that hardcore in the road anyway... much less the Countryman. Was a bit condemned already at the beginning... even the press presentation was quite idiotic, "selling" the supposed Mini's "rally tradition"...
I don't think the Mini will stick around for much longer... with VW already in full power, with Hyunday and possibly Toyota coming soon with a considerable high interest/investment, I don't think Prodrive will develop/improve that car to the point of getting podiums or even Top5's at a regular basis.
MINI is a "Joke Come True" - said a forum fellow not long time ago.
This car as a whole looks like a freak of nature.
Мaking their own FN-Class (Freaks of Nature) along with the look-alikes
Volkswagen Beetle to welcome the rising group of newcomers is the way to go.
And they won't be all alone...
Could not disagree more!
The Mini is a nice road car, also are all the versions that come with it and the WRC apart from the great monster-WRC look did also attract a lot of attention to the sport. It's a big shame they dont find the funding they need! It's a pitty this sport can only be ran by manufactures teams (and ford still is one IMHO).
Verstuurd van mijn ARCHOS 80G9 met Tapatalk
"Freak of nature", Haha. Thats pathetic, Danon.Quote:
Originally Posted by danon
Get a grip!
Yes, it was when a WRC rally at a top level car had a cost of about 30-40.000 Euros. Good times!Quote:
Originally Posted by rallyfiend
That mess was the result of BMW intentions.Quote:
Originally Posted by MAXLD
BMW never wanted to invest trully on a WRC programme. They entered on it because someone promised to find money to pay the rallies, and they would pay the development. To BMW it was a good deal, they would pay only 60 or 70% of the program.
But that "someone" failed to find sponsors and then... BMW decided to pull out. And to save a little bit of Prodrive's face, BMW created "the mess" to allow Prodrive homologate a new evolution of Mini.
SWRT was believed to be running on about 50-55 million euros at that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by JAM
That's more than Ford and Citroen have been running on recently. The past isn't always rosy....
The 90's, 30-40 000 euros for a top level car in good conditions for a WRC event? For a Subaru 555 Gr.A? Are you joking?Quote:
Originally Posted by JAM