BMW take the program "in house"? I thought they were broke. Something does not smell right to me. :nonod: Jim
Well, they're not broke, they've been "prioritizing" based on things we've discussed elsewhere. I suppose if they think Prodrive haven't followed through on the plan and are starting to bring, or are on the verge of bringing, the brand into disrepute they might re-prioritize some funds. If they do (and for those reasons) I imagine it's possible they wouldn't want to throw more money Prodrive's way... On the other hand, it's nothing more than a rumor at this point. In my experience rumors tend to either have a ring of truth or smell kind of ripe...the latter usually because there's a steaming pile of you-know-what in there somewhere. This one has a little of both. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, the Swedish rally is only a week away and I'm sure they'll be there having fun in the snow. For now, that's enough for me.
Time will tell if it is a rumor. The truth has a way of rising above all the BS. Back on topic.... SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!
IMHO the lingering stench is the manner in which Meeke was shuffled off to the side, particularly IVO the fan base that MINI could have cultivated on the Native Islands with a little bit of commitment. Even if necessary due to economics, it sure seems like the situation could have been handled better in the public eye. Hopefully that bridge hasn't been completely burned...
I know that others here dis agree with me, but they could have scraped enough money together to let Kris run Monte Carlo. First "Paddy" then "Kris" in a MINI. Talk about a media frenzie. Pro Drive wants Kris and tried to get him behind the wheel in a local rally, but BMW/MINI jumped in and said NO (another thread a few days ago). Tension has to be high with both Pro Drive and the drivers, which is NOT conducive to winning or getting sponsorship money. This is being handled very badly IMHO. Jim
The Swedish is going to have snow.... The BS should be frozen so the stench should be gone for the time being.
History tells us that when anyone in professional sports denies something it generally comes out later to have been the truth:arf:
I agree Mark, something is up and I fear it is not good. BTW: I think Crash has buried his head in the SNOW on this matter. Jim
A similar story but check out the highlighted area for some confirmation of the background I've only been able to guess at until now plus an additional hint or two about the rest of this rumor. No Mini split, insists Prodrive’s Taylor (MaxRally.com)
Good find Steve. So, perhaps BMW never was totally behind the program (money wise) from the start, even though it seemed to appear they were. I found it interesting that BMW is concerned about VW, but it did not say why exactly. So, if BMW brings the program "in house", does Pro Drive own the technology, or does BMW? Jim
Ouch. Here's more...and unfortunately gloomier...still unconfirmed though and of course no word on exactly what will happen to the program if BMW go through with it. BMW set to terminate Prodrive contract to run the Mini WRC team (AUTOSPORT.com)
Well that sucks. My opinion of BMW is now in the toilet. Sorry Carsh, no snow for the MINI. Now to follow up on what VW is doing. Jim
VW is committed to being the biggest auto manufacturer in the world..... motor-sports participation is just one cog on the wheel to help get them there. BMW/MINI doesn't have the same money pool......
Really?? I did not realize that VW was bigger then BMW. I know a lot about the "horse world", so you folks will have to bring me up to speed on the "car world". Now that BMW seems to be pulling out and Ford is on the fence, the top names in WRC may be Citron and VW, not to mention some top notch drivers will be free agents. Jim
Yep, VW Group (nine brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda, Scania and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles) is big and getting bigger. Their ambition is to be the biggest on the planet.