Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

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sirwilliam
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Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by sirwilliam »

I would be all over this mini...

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Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship - Racing
Prodrive’s new Countryman WRC hopes to recapture some of Mini’s 1960’s rally glory.

By Andrew Bornhop

July 27, 2010


In a surprise announcement, Prodrive—the English company synonymous with rallying success—has said that it is developing a Mini Countryman to compete in the FIA Super2000 class of the World Rally Championship in 2011 and beyond. This Mini Countryman WRC, produced in close cooperation with Mini, will be an all-wheel-drive machine powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder built by BMW Motorsport. The first test is scheduled to take place this fall, likely in England.

The Mini name is legendary in rallying, with drivers such as Paddy Hopkirk competing in the tiny car against the likes of the V-8-powered Fords in the 1960s, even winning the famed Monte Carlo Rallye three times!

BMW also has rally heritage, the Bavarian firm present when the World Rally Championship made its debut in 1973, the same year Achim Warmbold and Jean Todt (yes, that Jean Todt) tasted victory in the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria, driving a BMW 2002. Also of note, BMW’s last rally win came in 1987, when Bernard Beguin in an M3 built by Prodrive, earned a victory in the Corsican Rally.

Says David Richards, Prodrive Chairman: “I believe our new Mini will become a firm favorite 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.”

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, says the Countryman provides “an excellent basis from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship.” Roberston also adds that he’s pleased to link up with Prodrive for this effort, which is planned to last several years.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Sabre »

I would love one of these things!
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by complacent »

Agreed. I think that would be stupid fun.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by ElZorro »

Sweet :)
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Mr Kleen »

It shouldn't cost more than $54,999. :lol:
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Cereb Daithi »

This sort of goes in line with another post (that I believe Will made) talking about rumors of an AWD mini. FIA homologation specials anyone?
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by complacent »

Cereb Daithi wrote:This sort of goes in line with another post (that I believe Will made) talking about rumors of an AWD mini. FIA homologation specials anyone?
yes pls! :ya:
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by PGT »

MINI Countryman's AWD system (OEM, not the WRC edition)

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And Prodrive testing in Portugal

Post by PGT »

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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by complacent »

that lil bugger was moving!

although i have no reference speed to judge against, it sure looked, moved and sounded pretty awesome.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Sabre »

I hope the exhaust is that straight in the production version!

Agreed with Colin, that little thing was hauling some major ass.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by PGT »

I dunno. That turbo appears to be between the motor and the firewall. The current Coopers have it in front of the motor (in fact, people have had melted hoodscoops because of it). Perhaps MINI redesigned the layout for all the '11 on models....not sure
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Cereb Daithi »

And Andrew just brought this out of storage.... hm... I wonder...

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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Sabre »

:shock: How much does he want? :lol:
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Cereb Daithi »

Andrew wrote:This is an original US market, '67 1275 S that I bought when I was in high school, drove it home and realised what a rusty piece of shit it was.

Eight years later I was driving it again, but from the right side of the car, with about twice the stock horsepower thanks to all kinds of trick bits i dragged back from England and looked much nicer as well...

You can have this car when you prise it from my cold dead fingers...
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Mr Kleen »

sounds like Love The Beast.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Cereb Daithi »

My second favorite automotive film. Only surpassed by Dust to Glory.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by sirwilliam »

Mr Kleen wrote:sounds like Love The Beast.
Wow, never heard of it...thanks! :D
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Sabre »

Cereb Daithi wrote:
Andrew wrote:You can have this car when you prise it from my cold dead fingers...
:lol: Can't say I blame him!
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Mr Kleen »

sirwilliam wrote:
Mr Kleen wrote:sounds like Love The Beast.
Wow, never heard of it...thanks! :D
it's available on Netflix watch it now. not so much a documentary as a love letter to a car.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by schvin »

will check out love the beast.

dust to glory is an all-time fave.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by PGT »

MINI has just released the first real photos and full specifications of the WRC Countryman. While there are no real surprises (if you know you’re WRC cars) it is noteworthy to see some of the details.

As we’ve reported MINI WRC was developed by Prodrive in accordance to the new FIA Super 2000 regulations on the basis of the MINI Countryman production model. However the engine is 100% BMW Motorsport. What we still don’t know is how closely (if at all) it’s related to factory the MINI/JCW powerplant.

Looking at the design of the car we see the JCW brand is used thoroughly and there are some new radical elements we hadn’t seen before.

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Specifications

Dimensions:
Length: 4,110 mm
Width: 1,820 mm
Weight: 1,200 kg (FIA minimum weight)

Engine:
BMW Motorsport 1,600 cc, direct injection petrol Garrett turbocharger – maximum boost 2.5 bar Dry sump

Transmission:
Permanent four wheel drive Gearbox: Xtrac 6-speed sequential

Clutch:
AP Racing sintered twin plate Front differential: Plated limited slip Rear differential: Plated limited slip

Steering:
Hydraulic power assisted

Chassis:
MINI Countryman bodyshell with Prodrive roll cage exceeding FIA regulations

Suspension:
Front: Prodrive Öhlins Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable damper Rear: Prodrive Öhlins Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable damper

Wheels:
ATS wheels and Michelin tyres Gravel: 15” diameter Tarmac: 18” diameter

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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by Sabre »

I can't wait to see this thing on some dirt!
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by complacent »

that car is sex.

zomgwant.
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Re: Mini to Compete in the 2011 World Rally Championship

Post by PGT »

let me know if you can't see these...

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2013 BMW 328i M Sport with 8sp in Estoril Blue II
2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 - Always bet on black
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Edition, otherwise known as the MW3 (and badass)
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