Imagine a huge list with the names of all drivers from the whole world :) That is 'The Prodrive driver list'. They want every driver who pay them money ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeakiwi
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Imagine a huge list with the names of all drivers from the whole world :) That is 'The Prodrive driver list'. They want every driver who pay them money ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeakiwi
Is there gonna be a website for the Mini WRC team? The Prodrive is no use in finding any real news, data about the Mini Countryman WRCar
No wonder there's no fecking manufacturers in the WRC. As soon as a new one joins you all instantly write them off without the car even turning a wheel in competition. Why is this car destined to be like Hyundai/Seat/Skoda? Do any of you work for Prodrive and know all the facts? Do any of you know the cars capabilities?
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by 306 Cosworth
Quote:
Originally Posted by 306 Cosworth
Not sure exactly why really but I think almost everyone who commented has questioned themselves why they/we feel this way.. hunch?.. or are going by input from drivers who have driven it.
Or could it be that Im simply kidding myself and somewhere deep down Im secretly hoping that such an ugly, unorthodox car doesn't become the pinnacle of the WRC ?
No, I think its just a hunch for me, however If the power is good I do believe the high speed events may favour the cars longer wheelbase and inherant stability.
Which is why those of us harbouring doubts have all, as far as I can see, said that it's nothing more than a hunch and expressed our fervent hope that our doubts are misplaced. I genuinely have no idea why I think the Mini entry might not be up to much. It isn't a feeling I have in relation to a VW entry. Why? I don't know. And I very, very much hope to be proved utterly wrong, because it would be fantastic to see Mini being successful.Quote:
Originally Posted by 306 Cosworth
The recent history of Prodrive has troubled the view of most on the forum. They had full support form Subaru, money wise and technical support, but failed in making a good rallycar for the last 4 years (2004-2008). The new BMW/Mini project is not fully supported by BMW, only done with permission to use the name and the engine. Prodrive had huge succes when they only concentrated on rally, but the succes has gone since they done other sports of Motorsport, like GT, Le ans and puttng a lot of effort to be a Formala 1 team. The feeling on the forum is, that they lost the touch in making a succesful rallycar.
Plus a great number of drivers has tested the Countryman WRCar, but almost no one is given enthousiastic responce. Marcus Gronholm can be seen as an expert on rallycars, and if he refuses an offer to drive the car, it is bad advertisment for the car.
We all sillently hope that Prodrive will have a great surprise and makes the Mini a real competator for the Fiesta/DS3.
Prodrive has still few months time to develop the car.
But in generally I don’t say yes either no. After we know the performance, I could write, “what did I say” and know one will remember what I wrote.
The car will be faster than we can expect and they are going to surprise us all (almost all)! One podium during the season for sure!
When it becomes true, then I will be at the end of the last SS in first World Championship round that takes place in Estonia and offer a free beer to every (http://www.motorsportforums.com) forum member that has shown negative attitude in this topic (until now).
Yes, when the positive scenario happens then I am going to dig out my post from the history books :-)
When it does not happen then I am sure that someone does it for me :-P
Maybe it is also the colour scheme of the test car and livery of the show car that is an issue.
Perhaps the rally car should be in black paint like this road car, it looks serious.
http://www.wekop.com/tag/2011-mini-c...man-wheel-base
Maybe Mini could introduce the BMW art car concept to WRC. Keep one car in the traditional red and white and the other car could be 'done' by a top art student from the wrc round country.
http://www.bmwdrives.com/bmw-artcars.php
First official video from Prodrive with Mini Countryman WRC on test road - http://bit.ly/hVQwHi
worst teaser video i ve seen.
i feel sorry for meeke and sordo already...
To my eyes, it is without question the worst-looking WRC car for many a year.
Any other link? I can't see anything on an ipad
Even in wide screen you haven t got to see something....
this video is really extremely bad, especially the sound with the windnoise...
Good chances to be the new Suzuki - why on earth did they make that video... :confused: Seriously speaking I don't too much like judging cars based on video footage. Things that concern me most are the several weak signals that suggest that Mini really is not a serious attempt:
- Marcus saying that he really wanted to drive it next year, but It didn't go anywhere.
- The small amount of Mini/BMW public presence.
- Sordo's comments about the car
- Sordo's co-driver chance due financial reasons
- Prodrive seeking WRC team manager for months with no success
Also my personal opinion is that Countryman is far from optimal base car because of the body dimensions, height, center of gravity, aerodynamics etc.
I really 100% hope that I'm wrong! :)
Comments on this super-spectacular official Prodrive video
- Extremely boring video and montage
- Vomit livery
- Very bad sound
- Looks like it was made in a garage yesterday , at least it could be all white
Disaster .
I still can't understand the reason of this weird livery....
At least they could film the car on a forest stage or on a proper tarmac one.
I must admit, the teaser video wasn't the best, hopefuly the car will be a lot more competitive than the video suggests!
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6501/p90072267.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3315/p90072268.jpg
Yay! Another Red car in the WRC!!!
:|
NOT
Here are also photos from presentation in Monte Carlo - http://www.autosport.cz/clanek.php?cl=11691
Is this the S2000 1.6 Turbo?
The rear wing it´s smaller
Yes this is S2000 1.6 version.
I know the appearance isn't the performance but it looks like a family car rather than a rally car.
The red livery is the only good looking thing in that car. I still hope it will be a good car...... (please... god or whoever is in charge of miracles now)
Yes, the car is not the most handsome of vehicles but forget about that. Forget what Gronholm allegedly said, the car and the team will be a success in WRC. It'll take time certainly and there is a lot of work ahead for the drivers and engineers. Contrary to what some have said in earlier posts BMW are putting money into the project and quite a large amount too. This is not a Suzuki (where the team couldn't afford to test on a regular basis) or a Seat or a Nissan or a Mazda adventure.
Video from the Monte Carlo launch: http://www.wrc.com/video/browse-all/...arlo/?vid=1974
A few short videos (not the best but...) from the latest test near Malaga in Spain. This is the 2nd last test before engine homologation. The last test will be in France later this month:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIsf83TLP9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhoedOzbOT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DjxP_tFqPI
Maybe the Paceman will take over as the WRC car. Looks a bit more suited; http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...112-19nlz.html
i doubt mini will be in the sport for more than 2 years.... I hope BMW enters a proper car after that instead of just pulling out.
Yep... A 1 series hatch or coupe? The new M1 gives a hint of what it could look like.
Car starting to look faster. Good video of testing in Spain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWZRamnK62Y
Thanks Luke.
Yep it looks better!!!!
seems to slow in corners,and different antilag system than fiesta and ds3,sounds like old antilag systems.
a lot of drivers have tested the car, but the only one really interested seem to be Meeke, Sordo and Oliviera and the teaamaneger of HF Grifone. Prodrive claim to have sold many Countryman WRCars and Countryman SP. Is it known which drivers are serieus interested and how already have made an claim ?
:talk: :talk: :talk:Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
Another video from Spain earlier this week, 14 mins :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-iE8epGGfU
Edit - 10 mins without the spiders, dogs, windmills and horses.....
looking good. very stable, good driving also from Sordo. Others will being to look more closely... its certainly improving.