Yeh i could..... but i would probably be out of a job just as things are picking back up a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
So no coment
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Yeh i could..... but i would probably be out of a job just as things are picking back up a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Plan9
So no coment
"just as things are picking back up a bit"Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
Say no more, Im in high hopes that there is good news for your team on the horizon!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbaontour
I guess no news can sometimes be good news after all.
Hi
Does anyone have a picture of the back end of the mini, either on stage or standing still?
If so, please can you PM me?
Thanks
Your best post. :D
Reminds me of Mikael Sundström who managed to build faster Mazda 323 group-A cars with his own team than official team itself. And correct me if I'm totally wrong but it was also Sundström's team who gave technical knowledge and hints for tuning up for Team Mazda :)Quote:
Originally Posted by jcatanho
Two hours ago @RALLYMAN40 wrote a comment to the @MINIMotorsport Youtube's video "In the Cockpit with Kris Meeke":
"Whats happened to kris he's a great driver look what he did in the irc. I dont think colin mcrae wouldve of invested in kris if he didnt see potential!!!".
This was the MINIMotorsport answer minutes ago:
"@Rallyman40, Kris is without a doubt a great driver. With the re-structuring of the WRC project however, Kris has not competed on the WRC level lately. But there is no doubt that he will be back in a WRC car soon".
Empty words...
Meeke will be back, maybe not until next season. Has had some one off offers/chances this season but is concentrating on 2013 and currently doing some development work.
Does anyone know what plans if any Sandell has for the rest of this season and beyond? I was surprised not to see him in NZ as he knows the event quite well.
Motorsport Italia press release at August the 16th
Beginning but not the End
'Ciao a tutti,
'It’s Bruno here. I’m sure most of you are surprised to hear from me right now, but I’m afraid I have some news that I wanted to tell you all personally. Unfortunately, Armindo and Miguel will no longer be competing with WRC Team MINI Portugal.
This season has been highly pressurised from the start. We only found out following Monte-Carlo that we would have the opportunity to run two drivers for the full 13 event WRC Calendar as a works-supported team. The original plan was for Armindo to run seven events as a privateer. Due to our long standing and successful relationship, we wanted Armindo to stay with the team for the full season and he was pleased to join us on our journey. As you can imagine, this was one of the biggest pieces of news that any driver can have. However, the pressure on him was significant.
'After our Rally Finland debrief and further conversations with Armindo since returning home, we decided that it was better for him to take a break, relax and regain his focus on the sport and how he approaches it. We've created a great history together and it's fair to say that he had previously always been motivated and determined in his career. We've worked together for many years now – we even won two Group N world titles together! However, there's always a point where you have to admit that something isn't quite right and I hope that we've accepted that point at just the right time!
'The decision was not taken lightly and was made on purely sporting grounds. It was not a personal decision and everyone in the team wishes Armindo all the best for the future.
'And to answer the question on everybody's lips...
'I'm sure you've all heard the name Chris Atkinson – and if you haven't, you should have! Atko's a really top guy all the way from Australia, fast and experienced and he's going to take over as the team's No. 1 driver, flanked by the oh-so-experienced Belgian Stéphane Prévot for the rest of the season.
They're a killer combination and given how fantastic the fans have been in supporting WRC Team MINI Portugal all year we really hope they’ll be equally supportive of Atko and Prévot when they join us.
'It'll be his first time in a MINI on the test this weekend, but we're confident that Chris can handle any car he lays his hands on and his MINI will love him within minutes. We're all very much looking forward to working with him and Stéphane and seeing what surprises Rallye Deutschland has to offer!
A presto,'
Armindo Araujo Press Release of August 22th
Armindo Araújo: The truth, always
Following the media release issued by Motorsport Italia, informing that Armindo Araújo and Miguel
Ramalho will no longer be part of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL, Armindo Araújo considers that now is
the right time to issue this statement after compiling all the facts and seek the truth. Therefore he
would like to clarify all points linked to this matter:
I- There were clear objectives set for the project in 2012. We started the season with a
very interesting result in Rally Montecarlo but only in Rally Sweden we launched the
WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL. From Rally Mexico onwards, Motorsport Italia attempted to
camouflage all the technical problems and blame the faults of the same, to the drivers
Armindo Araújo and Paulo Nobre. From this moment also, Motorsport Italia, tried to
object against my Media Releases, arguing that there were negative mentions to the
team and Mini itself. I would like to reiterate that all Media releases were previously
approved by Mini Portugal and in no circumstance there were no negative references to
them. I always defended the team and brand with whom I was linked to.
II - To prepare the asphalt phase of WRC and the new MINI JCW WRC version 01B, I was
invited by Motorsport Italia, on the 17th of July, 2012, for a test program to be held in
Italy between 10th and 12th of August. Only on the 8th of August, 2012, I received the
GPS coordinates of the location. During the three days I’ve stayed in Italy and I was not
allowed to test the car, instead I was put under pressure to declare myself sick and to
take part of Rally Germany - in attachment proposal from Motorsport Italia, of my
incapability, writing their own text to communicate the "disease". At that time I could
not believe I was receiving such proposal or suggestion.
III- On the 15th of August 2012, Motorsport Italia, requests me permission to use the
license of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL - which exclusively belongs to Armindo Araújo,
Lda - to be used with another driver up till the end of the season. For obvious reasons I
declined the permission to use the license. On the following day the 16th of August,
Motorsport Italia informed me that I am no longer the driver of the team or any
associated team of the group starting from Rally Germany and till the end of the season
with no justification or valid explanation.
IV- On the 17th of August, I informed Motorsport Italia, MINI Germany and MINI
Portugal that I have collected all necessary documentation about this matter and deliver
it to my team of lawyers, lead by Dr. José Pedro Gomes, who will take all necessary legal
actions to protect my name and as well the project which I respect enormously and now
sees national values in stake.
V- It has been always my position to seek for the truth and respect the justice. All my
Sponsors have been already informed of all the facts and support me entirely on my
decision to take this matter to legal action. For all said above, and due to the straight link
to my image, myself and my sponsors agree to remove all the advertising of car number
12 of WRC TEAM MINI PORTUGAL.
To finish, I would like to inform that according to my duty, I have reported all the facts
to FIA, and I am currently waiting for their feedback, believing that the truth is above all,
and the good name of myself, my Sponsors and my Country is reestablished and honored
respectfully.
Link to the proposal from Motorsport Italia, of my incapability, writing their own text to communicate the "disease".
Tourist driver vs amateurish team....
Who will win ?
Who cares ?
LOL
But N.O.T
If it were Ogier or another well known driver what would you be saying?
It has nothing to do with what kind of driver they are, it's the principle of what has happened!
I care - we can't just talk about Loeb all the time. I think this is an interesting story. Araujo won two PWRCs - yes that's an easier feat than WRC but I was surprised as I feel he is not a 15th-place driver, skill wise. There may be more to the story to come. Technical problems or an ill-prepared team can easily derail a campaign. I am not some Portuguese nationalist or something but I expected more of Armindo and wonder at his results this year.
We all enjoy reading Antony Warmbold's behind-the-scenes of his team/privateer situation (despite him not being as fast as Loeb, N.O.T.) and I am curious to learn more about how a team Araujo has been so involved in is able to pressure him to leave. It's interesting to see Atkinson in a WRC car again, but what weird circumstances to be driving in this team another driver built and gained sponsors for, and now was forced out.
I agree that the results of Ar.Ar. this season is very strange. Would like to think he was / is faster than the results indicate.
But we must also remember that the team must think of its reputation.
And mabye, i said mabye, he's not faster after all.
i do not know what your age is but you should start thinking before posting...please.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
IF it was Ogier or another well known driver the chances are he would not have to be in a C class team... and the chances also would be that the results would be there and there would be NO chance in a million years a never been to steal his seat like that....
Why atko didn't replace sordo tanak neuville ostberg ????
Meeke? Everyone ravs on about him... sorry I wrote Ogier... He was in Jr Citroen team before... so that's B class team...
If you write in a world class forum like this, is obvious that not only Loeb & friends have place on the WRC scene. There is place for everybody, and you are a good example :DQuote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
I wrote some months ago that Armindo is not a driver as fast as Loeb or Latvala, but is not as weak as the results with the Mini shown. The conditions on this team were unbelievable, and now is Armindo himself exposing that, and this dismiss of Armindo is something also umblievable.
I see Armindo do fantastic exhibitions. He start rally carrer in 2000, and he was champion in these year at National Promotion Championship (Win at 2nd event).
I see Armindo with a Citroen Saxo Cup realize times aproach Saxo and Punto Kit Car.
I see Armindo beat Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Evo VI and others 4wd with a Saxo Kit Car on Portuguese Championship (half gravel half tarmac) and be champion against them.
I see Armindo play with Citroen Saxo Kit Car like playstation :)
I see Armindo 4 times Portuguese Champion (2x Citroen Saxo Kit Car 2x Mitsubishi Lancer Evo).
I see Armindo fly with little Citroen and imponent Mitsibishi.
I see Armindo (with less suporter and sponsers) be 2x PWRC champion.
Armindo isn't a Loeb or a Latvala, but is defenitly not a Nobre or Oliveira (respect this guys).
It is very difficult be top driver in Portugal, litle market and poor people which atack all (Armindo have many fans, but some stupid people want a Loeb S) ). Armindo, nationality apart, have my respect and admiration. We need guys like him. Gave him a test session's for sure he do beautifull things (no 8x times champion), but regular points :)
Difference between him and Wilson? -> Papa Wilson :)
It's difficult pass to letters what i see so many years, but Armindo is one of my idols.
I have completed some rallys on eWRC database of him, see here (Introducing 2000 season)
Sorry for my poor english :)
In a few hours we will see if those accusations about crap car were true or not....
Well, Armindo with a standard version and little experience with WRC (1.5 season + 1 rally with Mitsubishi and 1 test with Ford) or Atkinson with O1B with so many experience... Super equal. And, off course that Atkinson is better driver than Armindo. People can't be fair with comparisions?
This is my thinking but I fear the supporters who will claim the car has been upgraded or changed for atkinson and it's all about the car not Armindo.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Crap car was the version used until now by Armindo. Atkinson is using the brand new 01B.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Let's see if MSi and Atkinson can put this car running fast. I have my doubts...
To be fair he was pretty legendary during his time in JWRC for instance.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Armindo said on interview to portuguese channel SIC Noticias that the MSI doesn't like that Armindo have say to journalists after Rally Finland that he doesn't realize test before the event. MSI told him that the make (MINI) could ask the team what they do to the money that they put on MSI.
interesting....have you got a link?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Maybe, or maybe could ask to MSI why they have a new 01B on the garage, and denied that car to Armindo in Greece and Finland...Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Exactly!
In Portuguese only:Quote:
Originally Posted by dimviii
http://videos.sapo.pt/cZwADLAMoy5eyPOOyZ53
I would like to congratulate Prodrive and Dani Sordo / Carlos Del Barrio on their 5th place at day 1. This is from a 'private' team and as such Dani was refused the opportunity to run a gravel noting crew. Sure certain individual pi$$ed off Munich paymasters but there are good guys working at Prodrive (diminishing by the month seemingly) and I would like to show my support to these genuine hard working guys.
THAT’S VERY!!! THANKS http://smil.pro/smilies/winking0017.gif
Yvan Muller will almost certainly be on a Prodrive Mini on Rallye de France...
Who's car?
prodrives....Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Mini WRC's speed in Germany. I had dreamed of Sordo fighting for the second place, with luck maybe even for the win. He had many days of tests (and somesort of upgraded 01B?) but still the overall performance was quite lame. Okay, there was a long competition pause and it's never easy when one lacks the routine so it's understandable.
What's most regrettable about the MSI/Armindo mess is the factual confirmation that BMW interest over WRC is very weak and the unusual involvement in this year championship was only due to the FIA homologation requirements.
With no further legal obligations towards the FIA, will BMW terminate the MINI participation on WRC at this season end, ceasing the car future development?
Is there any hope that a turnabout on the WRC MINI troublesome adventure is possible and BMW could regain interest over the project?
I think it all depends on Sebastien Loeb. He represents one of the major barriers to entry for new manufacturers: no matter how good their car is and how competitive their drivers are, he is virtually untouchable. Why bother entering if you can't compete with him? Sure, there are other teams competing, but they're established. I'm talking about start-up projects. Volkswagen are taking a huge risk, but I think they know Loeb won't be around forever, and if they spend time developing their cars, they'll be ideally-positioned to take advantage of the inevitable power vaccuum. And while Mini are in their second year of competition, they've been pretty half-assed about it. Their attitude reminds me of the manufacturers who used to do half-season campaigns and talk about a full entry the next year, but then they would lose interest.
If Loeb retires, then the championship will be blown wide open, and that will make things very appealing to new manufacturers. They will have the opportunity to carve out a niche for themselves.
Yes, Loeb dominance is overwhelming but it cannot be dissociated from Citroen full and direct commitment over the sport.
By using less funding and external companies, Ford and specially BMW never showed that kind of involvement and that’s why they cannot match the Citroen/Loeb wining pair.
On the other hand VW’s, and let’s hope also Toyota’s in a near future, attitude will certainly be much more challenging towards Citroen/Loeb supremacy, because it uses a similar technical and financial support.
Perhaps more than Loebs eventual departure – and it could be related - Citroen’s expected budget cuts, due to fragile economical situation of PSA, could ease the competition on the WRC field.
is Sweden wrt or what they calling themselves going to be in a mini anymore?
There is no Sweden WRT. There is Mini Portugal, and while their right to use that name is open to interpretation, I haven't heard anything that would suggest they are looking to switch makes. Nor have I heard anything that suggests Prodrive WRC is thinking about changing - if anything, they'll probably try and make a case for themselves being reinstated as the Mini works team.
@PM- I believe that skarderud was referring to Sandell's operation. He was meant to do more European events after Portugal but it has all gone quite. Although he is doing the Chinese Rally Championship again for some reason (maybe someone on here knows why he made this choice).