WRC: New heights for Sordo and MINI

Steve · Oct 10, 2011

Sordo and the MINI WRC Team Scale New Heights. (minimotorsport.com)

10 October 2011
Second place at the Rally France was another highlight in the short history of the MINI WRC Team. Dani Sordo also set a new personal benchmark.

In keeping with the motto "Another Day. Another Adventure.", with which the MINI brand enjoyed success at the NÃ¼rburgring 24 Hours at the end of June, the latest spectacular performance from the MINI WRC Team means you could almost say: "Another Rally. Another Podium Finish." Third place at the Rally Germany and the runner-up spot in France are proof of the upward trend being set by the MINI WRC Team, which is notching up one highlight after another.

Barely a dozen months have passed since the original version of today's MINI John Cooper Works WRC completed its first laps at the test facility in Banbury, England. Even back then, everyone in the MINI WRC Team was convinced that the MINI WRC was set to achieve bit things. But who would really have dared to predict such a huge improvement in performance in just its first season?

After the first official race for the MINI WRC Team in Sardinia at the start of May, when Dani immediately finishes in the points in the MINI WRC, the sixth place is regarded as the benchmark â€“ particularly when both cars have to retire shortly before the finish in Finland. Just five months later, however, that is all water under the bridge.

At the Rally Germany, Dani â€“ in MINI WRC number 37 â€“ hunts down his rivals to such a degree that he only narrowly misses out on clocking the fastest time on two special stages. Since that moment, both the team and its fans have been dreaming of leaving all the opposition in the wake of the MINI WRC. This is reflected in the boundless joy as this dream comes true on the sixth stage in France. The fastest time on a special stage: a new milestone in the history of the team â€“ but one which only enjoys a short half-life.

Just two stages later, Dani repeats the feat. Then again on the twelfth stage. And yet again six special stages later. The euphoria surrounding the setting of the fastest time on a stage (which Dani has already achieved on 102 occasions in his career) is forgotten. For long periods of the rally, Dani is in contention for the first overall victory in his eight-year WRC career, which would also be the maiden rally win for the MINI WRC Team.

In the end the team must settle for second place in France, but it feels like a win. Just 6.3 seconds separate Dani from the winner â€“ and that in just the fourth WRC start for the MINI WRC Team. Dani's 31st podium finish (18 second places and 13 third places) also sees him set a new personal benchmark at his 88th WRC rally.

After France, Dani occupies a remarkable eighth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 43 points from just four starts. The Manufacturer's Championship is equally impressive. Although the MINI WRC Team is not officially included in this season's standings, as it is not competing at all the rallies, the team would already have 41 points to its name, putting it in fifth place. Some teams that have raced at considerably more rallies would undoubtedly be licking their lips at this many points. There is no question about it: the MINI WRC Team is scaling new heights.

As such, it comes as no wonder that the bar has now been raised ahead of the next start at the Rally Spain from 20th to 23rd October. Fans are dreaming of the first overall victory at a rally for the MINI WRC Team. And the MINI WRC Team itself is setting its sights higher: Dani is hungry to demonstrate his class again in front of his home fans. Technical Director Dave Wilcock says: "For Spain the aim has got to be one step higher on the podium."

The next milestone in the history of the MINI WRC Team has already started to take shape.
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