[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3STajPxP7mc[/ame] The Countryman WRC testing continues as this week the team is in Portugal working on the gravel set-up. We’ll be seeing a lot more of these kind of videos over the next six months as Prodrive gears up for a full assult on the WRC in the middle of next year. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t19QDUEJ_c8[/ame]
Pretty cool...... Sounds like angry killer bees..... Countryman aerodynamics in these videos clearly shows the problem with the dirty boot syndrome. :lol::lol::lol:
I'll bet the OCD types here were itching to be there at the end of the run, to start to work. :cornut: Jim
Ha Ha.... Yeah, wasn't that Mark who jumped out onto the track with a MF cloth and a squirt bottle of Hydro? I think so.
Thanks Nathan for the Video's. I just watched the latest on HD-THEATER of the German rally. It was won by Sebastian Loeb for the 8th. time in 8 years. The Japan Rally is to be shown next on I think it is the 25th of September. I feel bad for people that don't get HD-Theater on their TV's. It is the only channel I have found that shows the "WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP'S" To have a car legal to run the WRC it has to have a certain wheelbase. The Countryman fits the qualifications. I sure can't wait to see one entered. Of course if it don't stay in the top ten we won't see much of it running. BUT, At Least we will know it will be there. It sure would be great if they could get Sebastian Loab to drive it but that will never happen. He loves his Citron.
I seem to have signed up for some mega HD package with Comcast (all I wanted was the phone, but this came with it), but don't know if that one is included. Thanks for telling about it and will have to look. Jim
Wonder what transmission they're using? Did you all hear how fast he was cracking off those shifts? Definitely running some high compression in that engine!
Not true. Has not been a minimum wheelbase restriction in the rules. In fact the car didn't even have to be AWD from the factory.
I thought I heard or read that the WRC cars have to be over a certain wheelbase I'm probably wrong. but this is interesting: David Evans, Rallies Editor, Autosport, 27th July, 2010 The MINI Countryman WRC Design Sketch issued by BMW AG today MINI has confirmed the existence of the Countryman World Rally Car for the first time – and that the Prodrive-built machine will run on selected rounds of next year’s World Rally Championship before starting a full programme of events in 2012. A statement, which came from MINI in Munich, Germany, ended months of speculation linking the BMW-owned company with a rally development project being run by British-based motorsport firm Prodrive. The MINI Countryman WRC will, as expected, run with a BMW-developed 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, with the first test expected in the autumn. 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.†Ian Robertson, Management Board Member – Sales and Marketing, BMW AG Factory MINIs have not been seen at rallying’s highest level since the car won the Monte Carlo Rally, 1,000 Lakes Rally and Acropolis Rally in 1967. That will all change next season, however, when the Banbury-built car takes to the stages. Ian Robertson, the member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, said: “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.†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.†David Richards, Chairman, Prodrive Prodrive Chairman David Richards added: “This is a very exciting new motorsport programme. 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 4,000km 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.†No mention has been made of precisely when the car will start testing or competing, although the Rally d’Italia-Sardegna is widely tipped to be the launch event in May next season. As for drivers, Marcus Gronholm, Kris Meeke, P-G Andersson and Mads Ostberg are the names most regularly being linked to a deal. It is a press release from Aronline news.
If you want to know all the details... the regs aren't hard to find. Here's the link: Regulations PDF Page ISC These are 2010 regs. 2011 modifications are appended to the end of some of the documents. Have fun reading! Matt BTW, the only requirements on the car are that it have 4 seats in the homologation version, and that the car have a minimum weight of 1500 KG, no driver, copilot and only one spare. This would be a close to dry weight, as the car can never go below that number.
I really like these videos. Potential is there! Not sure my wife will allow me to put some of the WRC options on her Countryman when it gets here. I can dream. :devil: Have to order in October. ALL4 was the only way I could get her out of her Jeep. Don
Thanks Dr OBnxs The link to the rulebook is really great. It sure clears up a lot of confusion. Now when I hear a so called expert I can disregard the crap and give them this link.
Thanks... I come from physics, as "first principles" as it gets (at least to physicists). Anyway, I find a lot of time it takes about the same amount of time to actually find the conceptual bedrock as it takes to type up an opinion! So when I can find the basis for something, I share it.... Anyway, this stuff isn't a secret. I searched on WRC rules, that took me to the WRC website, from there it was a jump to the FIA website, then a few clicks and I was there! Happy reading... Matt
LOL Same place I found the info some time ago. Just never thought about linking to the reg's! Good one Doc.
For some reason I have Oct. stuck in my head, but I have been wrong in the past. Probably later, but in order to take advantage of the MTTS coupon the Countryman has to deliver by Jan. 3, 2011. So I backed into October. :cornut: Don