WRC MINI to join the WRC?

Motoring File

Rumor: MINI to Join WRC with Countryman?
Autocar and British publication Motorsport News are reporting that BMW is seriously considering entering the World Rally Championship (WRC) with the upcoming Countryman. This ties in very nicely with the report that MINI has green-lit a special motorsport version of the Countryman that would be even more powerful and focused than the JCW model.

The Motorsport Sport news quotes a source within the WRC saying that MINI executives had a “very postitive response” to the series. Additionally 1960’s rally legend (and MINI ambassador) Paddy Hopkirk was quotes as saying, “Everything they do they do well. If there is aproblem they will throw more money at it until they get it right. Without the [BMW Sauber] F1 project there could be more money to do that.”

Considering the timing of the Countryman model cycle and the availability of the “über” JCW Countryman, we wouldn’t expect anything before 2011.

Maybe this is BMW's new thing since they pulled out of F1? Rally racing has to be cheaper to run and maintain then F1.

I'd be inderesed to see if they are doing a 4WD conversion (is it in the guidlines for entrance).

If so, I hope they make a limited road production run of those. But then again - none of thet others do .

Forgive my ramblings - I hope they do it. WRC needs a bit of pep in my view.

The Countryman will be AWD when it finally comes out, it'll probably be similar to the X-drive system on BMW's.

And knowing MINI and their love of special editions I wouldn't be surprised if the JCW model of the Countryman carries a ralley pedigree.

Honestly, I don't see it. Based on preview shots, the Countryman seems hugetastic, to the extent that it probably would be unraceable in rallying

It's only huge for the MINI brand, when compared to other vehicles it's probably no larger than a five door Focus...or at least what people on North American Motoring are saying. I haven't seen one yet, nor will I because I don't think there is an sub-contractors in the Detroit area working on the project. I would wager there will be one at the NAIAS in January though and I am very curious to see how it compares in size to the normal Cooper or even the Clubman.

If Mini joined the World Rally Championship... That would be epically awesome.

Toronado

Honestly, I don't see it. Based on preview shots, the Countryman seems hugetastic, to the extent that it probably would be unraceable in rallying

Yea, I just looked it up and can't see it either. I think they should enter the Mini, go old school . That would be cool. But I can't see any Mini racing against a Focus or C4. Minis were always the underdog though right? So why not give it a shot, Oh and come to America too

Joey D

It's only huge for the MINI brand, when compared to other vehicles it's probably no larger than a five door Focus...or at least what people on North American Motoring are saying.

But its waaaaay taller.

It's only taller because it's an "urban" SUV so it needs to give off the air of being big. Put a different suspension on it and some decent tires and I'm sure it'll be fine...plus it's really hard to tell the proportions of a car under camo.

Don't get me wrong, I think they should a three door Cooper S, but whatever.

Joey D

plus it's really hard to tell the proportions of a car under camo.

I've never seen a 5-door Focus that came up to the middle of a guy's head in height, and the preview cars don't look like they has that much suspension travel to give up. It has to have at least a foot on the Focus currently entered in WRC.
I'd love Mini to prove me wrong, but I don't see that happening.

I have a dream of BMW 320i rallying...

would be AWESOME to see Mini rallying again

Pescarolo/C60

would be AWESOME to see Mini rallying again

Yeah... Back to the roots

I agree with people saying it should just be the regular Mini, it would be amazing to see a proper Mini Cooper rally car again. Other than that, it's still nice that they're considering it and it would be cool to see them back in even if it is the Countryman.

Dave A

I agree with people saying it should just be the regular Mini, it would be amazing to see a proper Mini Cooper rally car again. Other than that, it's still nice that they're considering it and it would be cool to see them back in even if it is the Countryman.

The standard Mini would be to short to reach the minimum length required for WRC homologation, which is why the are looking at the longer Countryman.

Keep in mind that when the 206 was in the WRC, they had to produce the GTi road cars with a built up plastic bumper insert to get the cars to the minimum length, so it looks like Mini are faced with a similar issue.

Edited to add - Just checked and the minimum length for a WRC car is 4000mm and the Mini comes in at 3730, while the Countryman (if it stays the same as the concept) comes in at 4,050mm.

So the Countryman is the only viable WRC option unless BMW want to make another Mini variant that has 27cm of stuff stuck on it to get to the minimum length.


Regards

Scaff

I think BMW would make their way back to WRC... Because they want to promote their cars in terms of reliability, speed and cornering ability... So it's still possible but I'm still hesitate on would they back with the Mini???

KidrauhlM5

So it's still possible but I'm still hesitate on would they back with the Mini???

Maybe something to do with the Mini brand having a huge history in Rallying and BMW having none (they have always focused far more on track based motorsport).

In simple terms when many, many people think about Mini's, they think this....



....and while BMW have had some participation in rallying, its nothing like that the Mini has.


Regards

Scaff

It would be awesome. Nowadays, in WRC there are only Ford and Citroen, so some othe cars are welcome.

More news emerges:

Motoring File

Prodrive Working on a MINI WRC Entry?

Rumors are continuing to swirl around a possible MINI WRC entry in the form of the Countryman crossover. The latest comes from Autosport and sources within the team that would build the car – Prodrive. Reportedly confirmation of the deal has now been stalled until spring but work seemingly is continuing deep within Prodive Uk headquarters. Here’s an excerpt from Autocar:

The Crossover road car was due to be launched this year, but that has also been postponed until either next year’s Geneva or Paris motorshow next year. AUTOSPORT sources indicate the World Rally Car would be likely to be launched at the Paris show. Prodrive has been working on a theoretical new generation World Rally Car for much of this year, developing the parts required without actually working on a base model.

Technical director David Lapworth said: “Right now there is nothing to say and I don’t think there will be anything to say until the spring. This is not an official statement from me, it’s just the way things look. “That said, it’s going to be very difficult to keep this thing under wraps. Very soon we will have to start involving more and more people: the FIA, a lot more suppliers and things like that. Once we do that, more is bound to come out.

Sounds like it's going to be a goer to me. Should be interesting to say the least