Most liked posts in thread: MINI Misses Filing Deadline for WRC 2012

Crashton · Dec 25, 2011

BTW: When I get a Roadster, I plan to make it look like at Triumph.:lol:
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Like your plan!

I love my MINI & I love all the friends that I have made since buying it. Not sure my next car will be a BMW/MINI. If it is I may re-badge it. :smilewinkgrin:

Metalman · Dec 26, 2011

*** News Flash ***

According to unconfirmed reports, sources within MINI state that all MINI WRC drivers should pay for their own fuel during the 12 rallies in 2012.... Additionally, drivers will need to foot the bill for team laundry services.....

Next up.....BMW is in contract negotiations with JLo to be mistress of ceremony at the opening of the German Touring Car program..... 6 year contract is reported to be in the mega millions of DM.... If successful, and all indications are that it will be, behind the scenes at BMW, head of marketing Dagmar Vevillruel, wants JLo spending seat time in all of BMW's major ad campaign...... Dagmar was overheard saying that she thinks the typical BMW driver will identify well to the new BMW / JLo association..... "Racin wit JLo"....

Nathan · Jan 4, 2012

Metalman said: ↑

Nathan....
Might you consider taking out a temporary bailout loan from the federal government to help fund this.....
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I can see the headline on Drudge now...

Multi-Million Bailout Diverted to Fund Brit Racing Team

Crashton · Dec 21, 2011

Oh man, that's going to cost them a few Euros. Face palm. ut:

Gil-galad · Dec 24, 2011

This whole situation is worse than finding a lump of coal in one's Xmas Stocking.

Metalman · Jan 4, 2012

Nathan....
Might you consider taking out a temporary bailout loan from the federal government to help fund this.....

Nathan · Dec 21, 2011

Meeke called to meeting on future of Mini team

From the Belfast Telegraph

Concerns are being raised over the future of the John Cooper Mini team after they missed the deadline to sign up for next year’s World rally championship.

I understand drivers Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo have been summoned to a meeting tomorrow at the Banbury headquarters of Prodrive, the organisation which builds and runs the BMW Mini Countryman cars in the World series.

Ulsterman Meeke, who has just completed the first year of a three-year contract with the team, wasn’t available for comment but Sordo admitted on Facebook that “even I don’t know the program for next year. I hope that after an important meeting on Thursday with the team that I know the plans for 2012.”

There was no official comment from Prodrive or BMW although it is understood they were involved in urgent negotiations yesterday.

There were reports, too, that the championship deadline would be extended until tomorrow night.

It is no secret that the Mini project which was launched just over a year ago has been experiencing financial difficulties despite the success of its first development season in which Meeke and Sordo competed on six rounds of the series.

The Spaniard scored two podium finishes and Meeke just missed out on a third, finishing fourth on Rally GB, before ending the year with a win on the high profile Bettega Memorial Night Sprint in Bologna.

Senior members of Prodrive management have admitted they urgently need a major sponsor but the quest to find one has not been helped by the on-going question marks over next season’s television coverage after the parent company of rights holder, North One Sport, went into receivership following the arrest of owner Vladimir Antonov.

The Russian, also the principal shareholder of Portsmouth Football Club which has gone into administration, has been accused of a massive 1.6m dollar fraud involving a bank he owns in Lithuania.

It is thought unlikely the Mini programme will collapse but Autosport magazine reports there are “significant issues which need to be resolved in the Anglo-German relationship.”

It quotes a BMW source as saying: “There are a few things to talk about and time has beaten us on the deadline, but the cars will be in Monte Carlo, we couldn't miss the Mini's return to that rally.”

But no mention of what happens afterwards.
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Crashton · Dec 21, 2011

Fingers crossed.... :fingerscrossed:

minimark · Dec 21, 2011

Crashton said: ↑

Fingers crossed.... :fingerscrossed:
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DITTO....:fingerscrossed:

CHKMINI · Dec 21, 2011

DITTO, DITTO...:fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed:

Justa Jim · Dec 21, 2011

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

Sideways · Dec 21, 2011

this is heartbreaking news...

minimark · Dec 21, 2011

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:

Metalman · Dec 21, 2011

Well..... You can pretty much bet the French will contest it. Montecarlo all over again..... Sheesh.....

sdmidget · Dec 22, 2011

:mad2:

farkus · Dec 23, 2011

According to Autosport, Kris Meeke is demoted to third string due to the current lack of funds...

British World Rally Championship star Kris Meeke will not contest the Monte Carlo Rally next month, following Mini's decision to only run one of its two factory drivers on every 2012 round.

Meeke has been told of the team's decision not to enter him on the Valence-based season-opener, but the Northern Irishman was out of contact when AUTOSPORT tried to reach him.

AUTOSPORT'S sources have confirmed that while Meeke won't compete on every world championship round in 2012, he remains part of the Mini World Rally Team.

A source in Germany confirmed the news, saying: "[Dani] Sordo will do every rally, but Kris Meeke won't. He will still test for the team, but he misses Monte Carlo. The second car will be driven by local drivers."

French Federation-backed driver Pierre Campana will partner Sordo in Monte Carlo.

The organisers of the Monte Carlo Rally have confirmed that a third possible entry was sought by Mini - which would have been taken by Meeke, had budget been sourced. Unfortunately, Mini was unable to find the funds in time.

Meeke will now be confined to what is essentially a third car when and where the money can be found to run it.

Prodrive, the Banbury team which runs Mini's World Rally Championship programme, declined to comment on its 2012 plans.

Sources close to Prodrive have confirmed a determination to keep Meeke's 2012 season hopes alive.

"Kris is part of the team and an exceptional driver," said the source. "We want to see him in the Mini on every round possible next year."

Sordo has scored two podiums in the Mini John Cooper works WRC's debut season, but it iss Meeke who has the longer contract with parent company BMW. The former IRC champion's agreement with BMW/Mini runs until the end of 2013, while Sordo's is up at the end of 2012.

While the decision from Germany might not be the one British fans would have hoped for, it does at least appear to confirm Mini's participation in the WRC next season.

Official confirmation from Munich is expected in the coming days.
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Crashton · Dec 23, 2011

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:

ScottinBend · Dec 23, 2011

BMW can't find the funds..............:confused5:

minimark · Dec 23, 2011

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:

ScottinBend · Dec 23, 2011

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.

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