The new MINI Countryman WRC - on the rally stages from next year.

MINI GOING BACK TO RALLYING.

GREAT news for all rally fans with the confirmation of one of the worst-kept secrets in motoring that BMW is to bring back the MINI name to world rallying.
From next year the MINI Countryman will enter selected rounds before a full-on assault from 2012 with BMW confirming that it wants to remain involved for `several years’.
The programme will be run by Prodrive, the Banbury-based concern that steered Subaru to numerous world rally titles and whose chairman, Dave Richards, is himself a former World Champion.
BMW is taking advantage of a change in the regulations which wants to make rallying more relevant to road cars. The rules state that engines should be a 1.6 turbo and have four-wheel drive. The MINI of course, already has an excellent 1.6 turbo and the Countryman will be sold with the option of all-wheel drive.
Prodive has been working on the project since last year. Testing will begin this autumn and the car will be available to customer teams outside of Prodrive.
The news brings back to the sport one of rallying’s most iconic names and enthusiasts will remember the giant-killing acts in the 1960s of the original Mini which ran rings around bigger, heavier albeit more powerful rivals.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: “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.
David Richards added: “This is a very exciting new motorsport programme. 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.