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Keep Kris Meeke in the Mini WRC team | Facebook
Pass it around It worked for Ford so it might work for Meeke!
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A facebook page has been set up
Keep Kris Meeke in the Mini WRC team | Facebook
Pass it around It worked for Ford so it might work for Meeke!
Lol, you cant be serious to belive that a bunch of tossers writing in facebook makes any different for some team who they sign, better would be to make sure meeke has the cash needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by anto-t
look if 3.5k changed the mind at ford it might help.
Its better than sitting at home crying about it!
better than crying, would be to try to collect a budget instead of sending mails.Quote:
Originally Posted by anto-t
I dont think Ford decision to stay was based on an overrated internet social network.
Ofcourse it wasn't totally based on that, but Ford seems to put weight on social media, new Fiesta colour scheme will include Facebook and Twitter logos...Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44
Will be interessting to see where the problem is based; - BMW, not really willing to give rally 100% backing, being a racing brand.
- Prodrive miscalculating the possibility to get financial backing from Mini owner and sponsors.
- FIA and the mess around the media package, when russian oligark money went away.
A combination of the 3, or another reason.
But with the finacial crisis in the world, money of this size is hard to get by!
History will tell!!
Ok, somebody other will drive, not Meeke and that's it. Nothing special.
I think it's probably a combination of all 3.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
And it could be argued that the new for 2011 regs, are still far too expensive....but that is for another discussion.
You would have to ask where is the whole project going. The business plan is flawed, they will never compete with VW or Citroen, the manufacturer isn't interested, there is no money, DR Has lost his Midas touch, no testing and a driver who plateau'd years ago
The one thing Meeke has is potential.
The UK media is already running articles on bad image of this decision of BMW.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/racingli ... r-too.aspx
Well who's reading this except us?!
What's not really suprising, WWE and UFC are also integrating Twitter and Facebook to their shows..Quote:
Originally Posted by Juha_Koo
You could say that about the whole WRCQuote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
I think FIA have to reconsider their fees, having learned frpm Mr Ecclestone in the past is not the way to look at the future.
By reading between the lines, and using the relatively reliable information, I think the story is as follows.
Prodrive wants to show that they are the right choice for a manufacturer if they will participate in the WRC.
They tried to adapt the new rules to various cars from six different manufacturers.
They found that the Mini fit very well. Contacted BMW and got the money to develop Mini-WRC. But BMW did not promise more than this.
Prodrive is trying to continue to advertise that they are to be reckoned with, but can not (for financial reasons) promise none other than Sordo 10 starts in the WRC for the season 2012.
But they can certainly offer cars to those who will pay.
And that is it.Quote:
Originally Posted by wildsir
Meeke has potential for around 10 years now......reminds me of the system we follow here in Greece when it comes to rally drivers....in your 20s you are too young and none expects anything in your 30s you are considered a talent with potential and in your 40s you are a complete rally driver and you could easily be a world contender in your star trek universe and in the head of your yes men.
The sad news is not that Meeke got dropped, the sad news is that the 2nd driver got sacked to accomodate a paying useless richboy...
Good Riddance Mini !!!!
I have to agree with NOT. Why bother building a team if you're not sending the best drivers available to you on to the stages, whilst pretending you'll be some kind of champion? I think it was Prodrives original intent to win something, but now that it's all gone t*ts up they are hanging on in there to possibly make a bit of cash from private entrants, and give one car a chance.
What position does this put them in with future homologations? Can they make any now not being an official entrant and all?
All i'll say is its ok to come in with half a budget with a proven company. but if you want a win you got to come in with a big budget (if your a proper manufacture) load of manufacure have try'd and failed. half arsed gets you know where.
@Doon: I wonder how much the criticism would be on Prodriv if they withdraw the whole Prodrive company it would be much more believe me, NOT is indeed a bit true in his oppinion, but still a sport about automobiles need loads of money and then the talent that's a big disadvantage against sports like Soccer, Basketball, Cyling yes money is also very important there but that's for paying them though, the biggest talent will be there at the start.. In WRC it will be only very selective and the cars they're driving plus funds aren't equal at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcr22B
Ironically if Barreis has enough money we may get to see how good he is!
All the same I think the 'how good would you be' arguement is incredible childish and really is totally pointless
?? laughable, how many people joined the Ford thing to convince them to stay, you are mad if you think it made any difference at all, but thanks for helping me start my day with a smile :DQuote:
Originally Posted by anto-t
What a kick in the teeth for Kris/Paul.Makes a mockery of things like the Academy, Star Driver, JWRC , or any fledgling series to promote genuine talent. Wasnt the launch of Mini WRC supposed to be a throw back to British success in previous Monte`s with a genuine talented British driver? We all know `cash is king` but this is taking the p#ss!
I guess Richard Goransson will be Sordo's teammate in the official Mini WRC Team? So Prodrive has covered already 5 out of the minimum 10 rallies Sordo will do in 2012
Monte Carlo/Germany/France/Spain: Campana
Sweden: Goransson
It would be nice if someone now would tell, as it would be nice if the usual PR platitudes were dispensed with in favour of an honest discussion about the problems afflicting the WRC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulland
I fear your cynicism is well-placed.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
I fear you, and all of us will be waiting.......Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
No harm at all. Manufacturer can homologate WRCar as long as they run it in WRChampionship. Registration to manufacturers championship is not required. However, they can't keep on running as non-registered entrant forever. If rules haven't changed, two learning years is max before full championship is required.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
Let we all hope for some more podiums for mini to continue with works program and tv holders resolved (with Eurosport in :D ).
Interview with Carlos del Barrio the co- of Xevi Pons, Jesus Puras, Daniel Oliveira and Dani Sordo.
Changes are expected, test and sponsors for Mini :arrow: Entrevista a Carlos del Barrio. Se esperan evoluciones, test y patrocinadores para Mini
Quote: bmwblog.com - MINI WRC Team Makes a MAJOR Mistake
...“wimpy rich kid gets the drive”... :arrow: MINI WRC Team Makes a MAJOR Mistake
I don't know why people are outraged at this. Yes, Meeke is talented. And yes, it's disappoitning to see pay drivers running in the second Mini. But Mini explained why they made that choice - they couldn't get the budget to enter two works cars at every rally in the season. 2012 is a step up from their 2011 program, but it looks like it was too big a step to run two full-time drivers, and Dani Sordo has more experience at the WRC level than Meeke. Hopefully, they team will be looking to enter two full-time works drives in 2013, and give the second seat to Meeke.
I will explain you why there is problem. Kris Meeke had offer after his success in IRC to go to Skoda. He has decided to join Mini on the beginning of their project, because they have promised him full time on developing the car and then another years in WRC. But now, just before start of the season after whole year of developing the car and few start, thay have said to him: Thanks, but you will not go... He is paid driver, but he is in best rally age. If he will not do races this year, it is big loss for him...
I understand that - but in the time between Mini making the original promise and later breaking it, something has clearly changed within the team. They couldn't get the budget to enter two full-time works cars, and had to resort to pay drivers. This obviously wasn't the original intention, and I'm certain they would have kept their promise if they could have, but they obviously could not.
Although I do wonder if they could at least give him a John Cooper Works S2000 for all the European events. Maybe it's not as good as a WRC-spec entry for all rallies, but it's better than nothing.
Nothing changed, they didn't have a budget for 2012 at the start and that remained the situation. They left the announcement so late that the driver musical chairs had ended for next season leaving KM without a drive. The mini 'image' promoted by Dodgey Dave / Prodrive has been the rebirth of the Mini, in traditional BRITISH Leyland colours and invoking the name (and presence) of Paddy Hopkirk (Northern Irish Monte winner) in association with Kris's presence in the team. In PR terms Dani Sordo has been very much secondary within the set up. Then Kris is dropped. British rally fans (to a very large proportion) feel the whole thing stinks and the tangible positive feeling for Prodrive (you had to be out on the stages to experience how much people had got behind them) is very seriously damaged. Damn it, we had a Brit to get behind at last and then it has been snatched away!Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisoner Monkeys
well said, im from Northern Ireland and was gutted to hear the news, he needed a bit of consistency and he would have been a winner. it was a massive PR disaster for the Monte
Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
If you take your seat in an official team as a guarantee for 2 or more years you are a fool.
Meeke knew when he signed with Mini that the project was still new and much could go wrong. It was is choice to sign with a new team and manufacteur.
silly articleQuote:
Originally Posted by danon
So that makes C McRae, C Sainz, W Rohrl and many other top drivers all fools.Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis44