Hardly a surprise, is it? They're busy with the DTM testing...... ;)
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Hardly a surprise, is it? They're busy with the DTM testing...... ;)
Ah, Don't Tell Mama...
They don't even have the little green pig on there. What an injustice!!! =p
The program of Sordo for the European WRC rounds already fixed? They will start on all of them or still questionmarks and round by round budget hunting?
Bring memories?Quote:
Originally Posted by jonkka
Some unconfirmed rumors that a long haul event may be possible but very unlikely at this stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by amilk
This is frustrating news; a whole rally ruined for under a pound. A bit like the story of the 52 car in Sardinia last year (a cheap part ruins a sucessful debut of a new Prodrive car). Details below:
MaxRally | News | Prodrive counts the cost in pennies
I'm not sure that's a fair analysis. It may be that the part that failed only cost £0-30 but the reason for the failure was not in the part itself but due to an unforseen design problem putting undue stress on that part.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Considering there are something like a hundred upgrades on this car and seems to be very different from the previous car I can't say theres much of a surprise that something failed. For what should have been an evoultion of the original Mini WRC there was little rigorous testing done to shake it down.
I was at Portugal...and saw Sordo exit his car after the event.
Dani was wicked fast...appeared to be driving pissed after having the gremlin hit his car. The Mini is competitive....money must be found to continue this ride. Sordo was just unbelievable in the stages I saw...JML was also fast (and yes both had little to lose later in the event).
However, the disgust on Dani's face as he exited his car was telling. He should have won won this event. Sandell on the other hand destoyed his car.
Sordo and Mini need money....their pits are a joke compared to Ford and Citroen.
Another wierd thing....I had a Ford VIP pass....Ford and Citroen seem to be marketing their camps towards gearheads....Mini seem to be aiming towards 13 year-old girls? I felt uncomfortable in the Mini area.
Maybe more explanation of the last 2 point you made? Why are the pits a "joke" and uncomfortable?
Plan9 I love how you get offended by anything said against Mini in any way. Seems like if you could you'd marry Kris Meeke and the Prodrive Mini. They need more fans like you however I'm not sure about Kris Meeke as a driver though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
Nah I'm not offended by his comments. I laughed at his remarks too. But I have followed Prodrive since forever. I didn't know he was on the market? =p (just jokes of course). You may well be right about him however I don't think chances like he had come around twice.
Why are we a 'joke'? ok we only have the money to put the cars on the event and there not a lot of big tentage going on and champagine bars but its well presented and functonal.Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpaguy
And as for us aiming towards 13 year old girls... wtf? what bit of the mini area were you in?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
MSport get stick for having too flash a hospitality area, you'll never keep everyone happy!
Hilarious isnt it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nornbugger
I have never understood huge motorhomes in rallying ??
For the past years at NORF, every second year Citroen and MSport brought a bigger and bigger motorhome. And the VIP-area is obvioulsy filled with people who couldn't care less about following rally out there at the stages :mark:
They're the people who pay the bills!
The concept of sponsorship and corporate hospitality is not a terribly difficult one.
However this could be the sign that big money is on the way to WRC. Same people as in F1 might like to join the serviceareas of WRC and then spens some sponsormoney on teams...?Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Dunno about that. Citroen had a huge RedBull motorhome. The contrast to smaller teams is sad. Some had a tent smaller the one in our terrace. Yet the spirit might have been larger ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
All....please note i in no way intended to offend anyone. Also, I am a "yank"and rally is not my expertise.
...but as for my comment, it was in no way anti-Mini. Mini is big here in the states...and Citroen absent. My comments were also a bit vague so I will clarify.
1. Mini was not even in the main row of pits within the compound,but ouside thereof and occupying only a fraction of the footprint of Ford/Citroen...yes I know they have fewer cars. The scope of size was very evident ( and maybe justified)....but the overall professionalism (neatness, arrangment, age, number, etc. of tools and equipment was also noticably lower. Some of the privateers had more professional/neat pit areas.
2. As a Mini (and Sordo) fan, I went to Mini's merchandise tent to get a "mechanic's shirt". The 3 young attendants could only point me to some skirts, sissy shirts, and worthless trinkets.....3 times the price of Ford/Citroen items.
3. My pass allowed me to visit with JML and PS....both exited thier cars and greeted both fans and mechanics. Very Cheerful (and JML had little to be happy about). Sordo exited his car...seemingly upset...to a larger crowd of fans than either of the Ford Guys. He barely acknowledged his fans and almost none of his mechanics.
Sordo seemed to be the fan favorite in the event....and drove his guts out. Sordo, Sandall, and TP were always greeted with a huge roar of "Mini!" or "Sordo!".
I'm not sure how all this PD/BMW crap will play out...all I am saying is it will be a crying shame if Mini leaves the sport. The sound of the car is really cool and Sordo can win in it. I am a fan...just hoping for more I guess.
Will the Swede get a 01B version of mini this season, or is he stuck with the one he got?
Ok well i am one of Sordos mechanics. front left actually.Quote:
Originally Posted by scorpaguy
1. Yes we are not in the main arena.... we are not a manufacture any more, thats what all the turmoil at christmas/2 months ago was about. Thats not for me to comment on though as i would probably be out of a job. And its not the 'Pits' Its a service area. We tidy the few 'old scrap' tools away between services. the intention was to make the place look neater but obviously that didn't work. Yes a lot of our tools are throwbacks to the Subaru days, what do you want fast rally cars or shiny tools? What we have is getting the job done for a fraction of the other teams budgets. we spend the money where it really counts, the car!!!
2. T Shirts. nothing to do with us, pm me if you want to buy one though.... (that is a joke btw. again i would get sacked)
3. I will pass your comments on to Danny but he hasn't got to be in a good mood all the time and we dont take it personally. to be honest we are to busy to even notice him getting out of the car most the time.
I wish i knew how it was all going to pan out too! But for now we are just hanging in there doing our very best with so little resource so give us a break would you!
Any news about Sordo's program?
what about the new suspension at gravel?Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
Come on guys, I'm never going to go into team details on a public forum, I like my job, well most of the time.. (that too is a joke. It's a great job) It's just a bit frustrating sometimes reading unfair critisizim when we are punching way above our weight and running on fumes so to speak.
I think it's cool that one of his mechanics is here talking about the situation. When all of the issues between BMW & Prodrive really came to light recently, I found it very easy to criticize Prodrive over what was going on.Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
Having said that, I think that when you compare Prodrive's success in World Rally over the years to, let's say BMW's success in F1, it's easy to see why MINI is in the situation it has found itself. It's unfortunate that BMW weren't/aren't willing to put the required input in place in order to give Prodrive the best chance to succeed.
Don't you see, the program is dead. My bet, is you will see Sordo in a Ford next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barreis
Once again Bubba...I am on your side...the whole of my comments were inteneded only to point out the disparity in funding. It is only PD's committment and and DS's talent that is getting results.
DS and the car are proven winners. If I were in his position, I too would be a bit upset. Not only was his rally knackered by a freak failure....but he is a consistent stage winner "running on fumes" as you say.
I truly hope Sordo/PD/Mini get the money needed and they all remain together....cool car and cool driver.
Please private message me for my shirt....I wont tell.
I am quite a fan of Prodrive Mini (it has been noted on here in the past lol) and I have a few questions (obviously for you discretion might be the best part of valor for some of them)Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
1) How is Kris atm? Is he going to drive at all this year, do 2013 with the team or just leave?
2) Have you guys been getting good responses everywhere you go or was Portugal a notable highlight?
3) Will you be going to NZ?
Don't take this the wrong way but I am a bit awestruck to find a team mechanic on a forum. I would have assumed that and communication to the public would be strictly forbidden, but then again you do seem rather cautious with your words.Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
Secondly, re: T-shirts. Would you really get in trouble for selling team merchandise of behalf of the team even if its not for personal gain? It not like you would be selling stuff that of limited release or anything.
FYI there is a prodrive/mini mechanic on twitter......
I don't care whether a team has a fancy pants service hotel/dinner area for people who indeed just go to get free stuff and never out at the stages. Rally Australia was set up with the two Ford and Citroen areas opposite each other. All the way down the end were the Brits working with the Brazillian MINI Team... they had two display cars of the Countryman and a fixed up tent. No one (fans) were really there but I went in and spoke to the crew and they were really nice!!! Fair enough Citroen and Ford have the money to show off all their stuff, it's not about that. It's about watching the Mechanics working on the car in the time given. If Dani Sordo or Ken Block or Seb L or JML got out of their car which I saw on occasions and don't give the fans a wave - Boo Hoo, go cry your tears somewhere else. They've just got out of their office so to speak and are eager to get their cars fixed. People or real fans can wait to see them at service. They have their duties and later the PR make them come out to see everyone. That's what they're paid to do. I stood next to and spoke with many drivers and didn't phase who they were. I deal with many high profile people and they're just like you and I with a great profession! If you really want to buy team shirts etc, go at the end of the rally when their stock is low and prices are cheaper! Check eBay as well!
Only official merchandise can be sold... unless a team member has left they might return the clothes. I've bought official as in official WRC TV crew and FIA stuff on the eBay before... they left the companies :)Quote:
Originally Posted by grugsticles
Someone knows that Acropolis for Sordo/2nd driver already confirmed?
Oh, I thought you were talking about official merchandise and not actual team clothing. My bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Plan9: Twitter.... meh. Rapebook is enough.
Heard that Sordo will do Corsica.
Yes, as already pointed out in the Tour de Corse topic. ;)
Actually, if a member of a team leaves the team they can do what they please with the clothing (I'm 90% certain about this) but teams normally don't sell employee clothing etc. They have a memorabilia/official team merchandise for sale.... it's confusing I know but their clothing and stuff isn't sold to general public. I got official Mitsubishi Clothing from team members in the past that wasn't available or close to the Merchandise for sale :)Quote:
Originally Posted by grugsticles
We`ll at least during the Peugeot years all team clothing had to be returned after each event! Don`t know exactly how it is nowadays.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Plan9, Basically no comment sorry. even if i did know i wouldn't say. We have been fairly well received everywhere we have been. And the lad on twitter is Cal, he covers all the recce's with me actually but he is a young pup into his social media :)
grugsticles, Believe or not most of us are normal people with just as big a interest in rallying as the average fan :) Im sure you would be surprised how meny professionals 'lurk' on here... we have been reading this thread since the very start. re reading it is like a documentary of the last two years of my life! and yes my words are guarded. theres no way i would ever discuss anything of any 'value' on here. it was just the comments regaiding our set up/image got my goat a bit and i wanted a explanation.
And team clothing is to be returned and drestroyed, I have never sold it and i never will. its not worth the risk. Im sure people will know instances of it happening, and it does, but not from me.