The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33536
S by Rob Marshall ince our exclusive look behind the scenes at Prodrive (See Issue 28, October – November 2010), the Banbury-based tuning specialist and BMW Motorsport have worked together intensely, to finalize the specification of the MINI WRC car. Interestingly, the ‘Countryman’ moniker has been discarded and replaced with the cumbersome ‘MINI John Cooper Works WRC’ nomenclature instead. “Quite a bit has changed, since MC2 visited us last year”, explained Prodrive’s Technical Director for the MINI WRC Team, David Wilcock. “The main changes to the prototype car involve the bodywork and its aerodynamics package in particular; the most obvious addition to which is the new rear wing. Obviously, there have been many minor tweaks that we have integrated over the last 6,000-kilometers (approximately 3,700-miles) of testing. We also have the final specification of the 1.6-liter BMW Motorsport engine, which is built in Munich.” Looking To The Future While Kris Meeke was the first MINI WRC Team driver to be selected, he has been joined by his ex-Peugeot WRC colleague, Paul Nagle. The pair has developed a successful partnership, which was proven with the winning of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2009 and, despite re- joining under a completely different team, the familiarity between the two drivers has given them an instant head start. Meeke is joined by the 27 year-old Dani Sordo. Despite his tender age, the Spaniard has achieved 29 podium finishes in the WRC and 102 special stage wins already, as well as scooping the 2005 Junior World Rally Championship title. His prowess has contributed significantly to French manufacturer, Citroën’s, achievement of winning the WRC Manufacturers’ Championship three times consecutively but his time competing with MINI will see him being pitched 22 www.mc2magazine.com against his ex-team-mate, Sébastien Loeb. Like Meeke, joining a new team does not mean having an unfamiliar co-driver. Sordo worked alongside his fellow countryman, Carlos Del Barrio, between 2003 and 2005, and their winning formula has seen David Richards, Prodrive’s Chairman, reunite them five years on. “I believe that we can add to Dani’s 29 podium finishes on WRC events and become a challenger for the WRC title,” Richards highlighted, “as we have an experienced team, a talented driver pairing and, most importantly, a strong partnership with MINI. We are now looking forwards eagerly to demonstrating the performance of the car on its imminent debut in Sardinia.” Speaking to MC2, the legendary Finnish driver Rauno Aaltonen, who made Mini history in the 1960s, commented on the new generation of MINI drivers, “Kris and Dani are absolute professionals and the tests that they performed together, which started last November, have given reason for confidence. Drivers like them will push the car to its limits.” Aaltonen was also positive about the latest MINI WRC entrant being more powerful, more sophisticated and heavier than the classic car. “The way that rallying has developed is very positive. I particularly like four-wheel- drive. As no electronic driving assistance is allowed in the WRC, I can foresee the sport returning to its roots.” The Officials Have Their Say Surrounded by the world’s press, Ian Robertson, member of the BMW board, explained that MINI’s entry into the WRC has the brand returning to its heritage and that motorsport successes contributed significantly to the classic car’s image. Robertson also highlighted that he expects the WRC Team to deliver ‘thrilling rally events, ultimate performances by man and machine and as much success as possible’. Understandably, it would have been impossible to Fi kr t ki c re t s ft tf fo Wf t r on t ! en ini h or tR u e o f fh , o ie c i a t i s h d Sa r i a l Co f STAGING THE COMEBACK