Autosport is reporting that MINI has apparently missed last night’s filing deadline to compete in the 2012 season of the World Rally Championship. While there are rumored, low-intensity tensions between Prodrive and MINI corporate at present, sources say this missing of the filing deadline is not an intentional end of MINI rally racing, but is instead an accidental if significant oversight. Even before the relative success of this year’s inaugural efforts, MINI had planned to commit to a full season of racing in 2012. Munich is apparently in negotiations currently with the FIA to extend the deadline and get the Prodrive-developed cars back on race courses around the world. Hopefully the right cases of scotch makes is to the right people in time. MotoringFile
It sounds to me like BMW/MINI are not actually in this for real, like they lead us all to believe, including Prodrive, which is a shame. Sure they want to go to Monte Carlo for the big press they could get, but are Kris, Dani and Prodrive going to be at 100% with the future unclear? Jim
I'm dumbfounded..... You would think that this was all in place long ago, then add the success they enjoyed this season and there is no reasoning behind it. Look forward to finding out what the heck is really going on...?:what:
Well..... You can pretty much bet the French will contest it. Montecarlo all over again..... Sheesh.....
I'm very sorry for the situation Chris finds himself in.:frown2: Although I am happy to see MINI contesting the Monte & the rest of the series. Hope they find funding to put Chris on the road in the remaining rallies. :fingerscrossed:
Me thinks BMW just might not be serious about promoting and supporting the Mini brand in racing.... Could this just have been testing for an upcoming entry by BMW itself using the very same platform. It will be underpinning a new BMW after all......:sly:
Well they have cancelled the MINI Challenge series........ The MINI sure seems to be a better fit for promoting the racing heritage than some new small BMW.
I very much enjoy watching the Minis in the WRC but I suspect I am one of a very small percentage of people that watch the rallies in the US. Seeing the way that Mini owners have changed over the years, I bet only 1% or less of US owners watch the WRC. I know that more people watch WRC in other counties but the US is a big BMW/Mini market. It is already a little hard to find the WRC on TV now it sounds like it my soon be impossible. I will keep hoping for a two car entry for the full WRC season.
I've always followed the WRC, but with the MINIs I watched every race. It's a shame that BMW is giving the race team such a short shrift. I'm tired of watching Citroens and Fords drive.