Tarmac Magazine : Road > Rally

Mini confirms WRC entry

Posted : 27/07/2010

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MINI set to join World Rally Championship from 2011.

* 27.07.2010

* Press Release

Munich. MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit.
From 2011, the brand will compete at selected rounds of the FIA World
Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season
from 2012 onwards. This involvement is planned for several years.

The car charged with this task is the MINI Countryman WRC, which is
being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and is
based on the production model. The powerful heart of the racing car is a
1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The
car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the
International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of
turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined
with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies. The result is a
significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test
drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to
customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.

This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of
rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with
victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted
success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having
already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many
countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in
motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible
for Sales and Marketing, says: "I am delighted MINI will be represented
on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The
success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to
the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest
in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our
success story in rallying. The MINI Countryman provides an excellent
basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world
championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We
will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the
project on track right from the word go."

"This is a very exciting new motorsport programme," said Prodrive
Chairman, David Richards. "During the 1960s MINI captured the
imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8
powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport
events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally. I believe our new MINI will become
a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is
adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a
significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally
car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011
season."

Prodrive has been working on developing the MINI Countryman WRC since
early 2009. The company was formed in 1984 by Richards, who won the
World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen (FI) three years
earlier. Based in Banbury (GB), Prodrive has developed into a leading
independent company in the motorsport and automobile sector under
Richards' guidance, and today employs over 500 staff. Prodrive's many
successes currently include six overall victories in the World Rally
Championship, five titles in the British Touring Car Championship and
three class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR).

BMW was present when the World Rally Championship made its debut back in
1973. Achim Warmbold (DE) and Jean Todt (FR) tasted victory in their
BMW 2002 at the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria. However, MINI's tradition
in this discipline stretches back even further: Pat Moss (GB) clinched
the first victory with the MINI 850 at the 1959 Mini Miglia National
Rally. MINI ultimately enjoyed its finest hours at the Monte Carlo Rally
in 1964, 1965 and 1967: the MINI Cooper S celebrated three overall
victories at the most iconic rallying event in the world. Paddy Hopkirk
(IR, 1964), Timo Mäkinen (FI, 1965) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI, 1967) joined
the list of winners at this prestigious event. In 1965, "Rally
Professor" Aaltonen also won the European Rally Championship. Tony
Ambrose (GB) and Mäkinen finished second and third to round off an
excellent overall result for the MINI Cooper S. In addition, MINI
drivers also enjoyed many individual wins at renowned rallies throughout
Europe. The last BMW World Rally Championship victory was achieved in
1987 in Corsica by Bernard Béguin (FR) driving a BMW M3 which was built
and run by Prodrive.

From 2011, over 40 years down the line, the MINI Countryman WRC will be
charged with adding further chapters to this success story. It bridges
the gap between the classic MINI concept and a contemporary Sports
Activity Vehicle. The brand's first model to feature four doors and a
wide-opening tailgate, it offers more space – which can be used in a
wide variety of ways – to go with its raised seating position and
optimised ride comfort. Plus, the "go-kart" feeling for which MINI is a
byword has been preserved and takes on a new dimension with the optional
MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Countryman expresses the
defining virtues of the brand in terms of design, premium quality,
handling, efficiency and the scope for customisation – and does so in an
absorbingly individual way.

The next step down from the racing version is the MINI Cooper S
Countryman. With its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection now
complemented by fully variable valve management, the 1.6-litre
four-cylinder petrol engine in the range-topping model offers by far the
best balance between output and fuel consumption in its displacement
class. The engine generates an impressive 135 kW/184 bhp and allows the
MINI Cooper S Countryman to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6
seconds. Furthermore, the MINIMALISM concept sees wide-ranging
technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – such as
Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point
Display and the need-based operation of ancillary components – fitted as
standard and in model-specific combinations.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman can be ordered
as an option with MINI ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive. Here, an
electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final
drive varies the distribution of power seamlessly between the front and
rear axles. In normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the drive
is sent to the rear wheels, in extreme situations as much as 100 per
cent. The result is a new, traction-led expression of the agile handling
for which MINI is famed.