Nice to see the MINI rally car being driven well. Punctures can happen to anyone. As far as the engine woes go even though the cars have tested a lot you just can't tell how they'll be until they are in the heat of competition. Lets hope the WRC car has a better debut.
Pretty face? I wasn't going to say this, but since you've asked. :idea: Probably the timing chain fell out or a tensioner backed out. :crazy: Just kiddin... :ihih: More likely something else, any rally car engine is put through some hellish conditions. Could have been as simple as an electrical gremlin or as complex as a rod flying out of the block.
There's other engine info for Prodrive to study. He "started the event with a replacement engine after the original suffered a fault during pre-event testing." He also was "slowed on Friday morning’s final test by a propshaft fault" and "reported a suspected misfire in the afternoon." Here's some excellent video! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GueYXiB1i60&]YouTube - Rally Portugal 2011 - SS04 - Armindo Araujo - onboard[/ame]