Mini News Most liked posts in thread: MINI ceases works involvement in the WRC.

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  1. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #4 ScottinBend, Oct 12, 2012
    ....and a slam of the door as they left.

    WOW...

    So they keep selling more and more MINI's each year, but they cut out supporting the folks that actually got the MINI it's heritage, the racers.
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #11 Metalman, Oct 12, 2012
    Next BMW agenda item....

    Budget funds to support the sailboat regatta.....
     
  3. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #18 minimark, Oct 12, 2012
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #2 Metalman, Oct 12, 2012
    Big pat on their back...... See ya.....
     
  5. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #3 Firebro17, Oct 12, 2012
    Careful of the doors......
     
  6. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #5 Steve, Oct 12, 2012
    I certainly didn't predict this but in hindsight I have a feeling this was already the plan when they announced the seemingly senseless switch of Works sponsorship for the 2012 season from Prodrive to a lesser team. I assume some of the speculation about a "rift" between MINI and Prodrive was rooted in reality but not the main reason for the change. The switch to cheaper team was a cheaper way to support a full season and yet still finish the car's homologation to satisfy the FIA. Now anyone running a Prodrive MINI can compete for the championship and MINI doesn't have to spend a penny.

    On the other hand, Prodrive is a business and unless they can find some more sponsorship and improve their own WRC team's financial standing they may back away as well. Maybe they'll switch their focus full time to IRC. Whatever they do, if they're going to continue to build and sell customer cars, they'll need to continue to run a racing team or at least have a very active role with a customer team or they won't know how to develop the car.

    I'll be watching for a Prodrive press reaction to this announcement.
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #6 Steve, Oct 12, 2012
    ... and here it is!

    Prodrive focussed on 2013 MINI campaign (Prodrive.com)
     
  8. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #7 Nathan, Oct 12, 2012
    Prodrive has this press release in response to MINIs announcment on their site with today's date on it.

     
  9. CHKMINI

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    #8 CHKMINI, Oct 12, 2012
    I see the ProDrive announcement as good news.
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #9 Nathan, Oct 12, 2012
    Maybe, we need to wait and see what the Driver lineup is for 2013. It seems to take Manufacturer type money to be at the sharp end of the stick. With VW and Hyundai both getting involved their wallets may just buy them the very best talent leaving middle pack drivers for the now privateer MINI efforts.
     
  11. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #10 Crashton, Oct 12, 2012
    Who else saw this coming long ago? Good luck to ProDrive....

    I think all of BMWs motorsports money is going into DTM. :crazy:
     
  12. jcauseyfd

    jcauseyfd New Member

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    #12 jcauseyfd, Oct 12, 2012
    They did announce the Yachtsman earlier this year.
     
  13. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #13 Nathan, Oct 12, 2012
  14. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #14 Justa Jim, Oct 12, 2012
    There is an old saying in the horse world: "It is better to put NO record on your horse, rather then a BAD one".

    I think Nathan is correct. They need factory money to be on top. MINI will be out there, simply as an "also ran". :(

    Jim
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #15 ScottinBend, Oct 12, 2012
    I don't know, Meekes did a heck of a job this year when he ran.
     
  16. Nathan

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    #16 Nathan, Oct 12, 2012
  17. Steve

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    #17 Steve, Oct 12, 2012
    ... just to cover all the bases, here's the word from the Works team.

    Ciao Means Goodbye But Also Hello...
     
  18. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #19 Steve, Oct 15, 2012
    More MINI magic expected in 2013 WRC (WRC.com)
     
  19. Angib

    Angib New Member

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    #20 Angib, Oct 15, 2012
    The 1.6 turbo engine is also used in the BMW WTCC touring cars, so development of that isn't going to stop. Indeed you could say it demonstrates what a good decision the rulemakers made when they gave the same specification for WTCC circuit racers and WRC rally cars. The whole idea was that manufacturers could develop one engine for both disciplines and so save money - or do more things with the same amount of money.
     
  20. Steve

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    #21 Steve, Oct 15, 2012
    Yup, the FIA call (called?) the 1.6L turbo I4 the World Engine, planning for it to be used in all sorts of racing series' for the same reasons.

    I think few people made the connection when the FIA planned to make it the F1 engine formula as well. That is, until there was an outcry from some of the more important folks in F1 and they switched it to a 1.6L turbo V6 formula.
     
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