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For sure, drivers drive, but its better than paying your way into a false vocation. Form a business point of view, I'd imagine I'd rather do something where I'm valued, rather than a self indulging ego trip. If we all take a step back, WRC is really not that big a deal, especially in its current state.
OK, then — why not give us the benefit of your superior knowledge? Go on.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Are you seriously only interested in the paint jobs?Quote:
Originally Posted by nerdhan
It does beg the question — what is he doing to help save the WRC from this current crisis? I am generally very supportive of the way he's gone about his FIA presidency, but while maintaining a low public profile while beavering away behind the scenes is an excellent strategy most of the time, there are other times when someone in such a position needs to front up and make his views known.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
So the big announcement should come today. The only question seems to be whether the official programme will continue in-house, with the Italians, or not at all. Would be kind of strange if it continued in house as the issue didn't seem to be a performance one. Can the Italians really find some money that Prodrive couldn't?
mainly homos and brittonsQuote:
Originally Posted by danon
He gave a huge interview in Monte Carlo with his views for the next 5 years, what else do you want?!Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
One does wonder what is going on, partucularly at Prodrive. If BMW/Mini contract out to the Italian company – were are they getting the finance from? Or have BMW provided enough........and there are other reasons?
Anyway, Motorsport now makes up a small percentage of Prodrive’s business....they have fingers in all kinds of pies in the Motor industry....
All I will say, the Mini has proved a good car – 3 podiums, fastest times – and still can’t find a main sponsor; just like Ford. A pretty damning indictment of the WRC....
If DR is looking for the rumoured €15 mil in sponsorship, then one can understand why he hasn't found anything!Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Er... do we consider this sort of remark acceptable?Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowSon
And, surely, of BMW's common sense? What more do they want?Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Minis are for girls... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by danon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PoIl...ature=youtu.be
This "Prodrive Mini" project wasnt going any further than 3-4 occasional podiums per season anyway. Because, first of all, preparation by private company with greedy directors, mainly famous with epic fails in the last 10 years. Also, Sordo and Mike are just middle class drivers amongst so many new promising WRC regulars like Attiyah, Neuville, Tanak, Mikelsen (needless to speak about the three factory teams which also became stronger). BMW should better spend some truckloads of money and make a really strong team or totally give up the idea of creating offroad image for this gayish car. They had enough disgrace in Dakar and WTCC.
Exactly!! Yet BMW have been getting some probably unfair criticism – Does anybody know the full story? I thought the agreement was for BMW to fund building, testing and development for the first year. After that Prodrive were on their own – relying on sponsorship and sales.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Ok, who is "Mike"? Attiyah is a "WRC regular" and "new" and "promising"? PWRC regular maybe some years ago but he's no spring chicken.Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowSon
And what's with all your homophobic posts? I think you have issues.
Where's Brother John when you actually need him?
Hard to know what's going on but as you say the lack of funding by Prodrive seems to be the main problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Agreed, it's not just Britons who like the Mini, far more are exported that bought hereQuote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
WT
Agree with this - plus the whole story about the Prodrive approach to BMW isn't in the public domain.Quote:
Originally Posted by noel157
DR is known for taking big, big risks - and usually they come off but sometimes (Aston Martin AMR One....) they don't. He gambled on doing a basic-funding deal with BMW for Year 1, then pushing them into more funding for a full WRC program afterwards.
However, BMW is now spending big time on DTM - and doesn't see the investment value in WRC's media package (of which DR was the architect when he bought ISC from Bernie all those years ago!).
What goes around, comes around.......
I think there will be no announcement...Quote:
Originally Posted by RS
BMW changed their minds or they will just let things take their natural course?Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
I think that from beginning there were no plan for any official announcement, I think it was only usual media rumour. (but only my opinion, dont trust me :)
Sandell confirmed for Sweden next to Sordo, Prodrive announced.
AUTOhebdo.fr | Sandell avec Mini pour la Suède
That there is no official announcement doesn't mean the action isn't / hasn't been taken.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Why would BMW want to unecessarily publicise the failure of a commercial relationship to the general public / media?
I can't imagine Prodrive would!
Or it was made up to sell more "news"?Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
If the project is shut down, Minis missing from the starting line will be announcement enough.
How could that be possible when Sandell is paying his seat?!
If BMW were to pull their association with Prodrive, and Prodrive then chose to go it alone, what happens to homologation?
I think current homologations remain valid but a manufacturer has to be the one to submit new ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazza2541
So you base your interest in a sport on paint jobs? Seriously what is it with this forum?Quote:
Originally Posted by nerdhan
Need to edit this again Ally ..... not harsh enough!Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
WT
I would but I dont want any more points against my account :laugh:
Anyone knocking on Mini has no clue, i had some of the best memories watching that live last year. Hearing it coming down the hill and seeing it for the first time at the Top Gear shoot in Lillehammer at midnight was very special :)
Mini registered for championship so we will watch them this season.
Not from TV we won´t.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
.. or is it too soon to joke about this thing just yet?
Mini is registered, but with special exceptions (lower number of events)Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
I just don't get it. We have seen far too many worse enterings from different teams or manufacturers. Mini has been very good due Sordo's tarmac rally results. I'm amazed that won't help Prodrive to get the needed funding. Or am I missing something else here?
They're doing something wrong. The offers they give to sponsors must be horrible or they only want one big sponsor. 5 medium sponsors is better than almost no sponsoring.
I think all the s''' talking about sponsors when you managing a so called factoryteam is b''l.Quote:
Originally Posted by mousti
Prodrive needs support from the factory they are helping. M-sport cannot work without Ford. VW is a factory team. Citroen also. Why do you guys think one or five sponsors would help Mini/Prodrive. It´s BMW who has to decide wheather they should be a part of WRC or not. Else Mini and Prodrive is gone sooner or later.
Someone said to me this evening they will hand the project to ralliart :s .
In an ideal world, yes that would be best.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
But that is clearly not what DR and Prodrive sold to BMW. They have failed in their end of the bargain, so why should BMW 'reward' them for that by giving them more cash?