Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mini exiting WRC after just one year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There was a fair bit of hullabaloo two years ago when Mini announced a return to the World Rally Championship for this season, but the road to making that happen has been as rocky as a gravel stage. It spent 2011 developing its JCW Countryman WRC challenger, changing its mind about how it wanted to work with Prodrive, dumped a driver due to budget issues, then registering its entry after the deadline had passed in a ploy that might or might not have been a protest aimed at the WRC promoter.

Mini had stated that it wanted to win the whole championship in 2013, and spent 2011 doing six WRC rounds as development. As it stands for this year, the WRC Team Mini Portugal - paid for by Mini, run by ProDrive - scored 26 points in the first rally at Monte Carlo and has so far blanked the rest of the season. The relationship between Mini and ProDrive appeared to be an ever-contentious affair, at the end of this season, even the money will dry up along with what support there was.

Because it contested every race in the calendar, though, Mini says it has completed the FIA requirements for homologation of the JCW Countryman WRC; meaning that privateers can continue purchasing the car and run it in the WRC. BMW Motorsport is continuing development and parts supply of the 1.6-liter turbo engine, and a report in Autosport indicates that ProDrive will continue to run Minis in the series next year.

The press release below has more info on the whys and wherefores.

Continue reading Mini exiting WRC after just one year

Mini exiting WRC after just one year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mini countrymancountrymancountryman wrcjcwjcw countrymanjohn cooper worksminiprodriveworld rally championshipwrcFri, 12 Oct 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20348651/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/20348651/article-detail.xml 20348651 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/miniwrccountryman_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/miniwrccountryman.jpg <![CDATA[Whoops! Mini misses WRC registration deadline]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/whoops-mini-misses-wrc-registration-deadline/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/whoops-mini-misses-wrc-registration-deadline/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/whoops-mini-misses-wrc-registration-deadline/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Mini Countryman WRC car

Mini - or Prodrive, the outfit that preps Mini's rally cars - has inexplicably failed to file for entry into the 2012 World Rally Championship before the series' December 20 deadline. Mini's first year back at the top level of rallying as a development team yielded two podiums, and the company hasn't stepped back from its stated desire to win the whole championship in 2013. Word is that parent BMW is gung-ho to continue but that there are "significant issues which need to be resolved" between it and Prodrive.

In an update to the situation today, UK site PistonHeads said has spoken to Prodrive and has been told Mini will somehow gain entry and be at the first race in Monte Carlo. Prodrive is in discussions now with the FIA to clear the way to entry, but apparently told PistonHeads that had "some concern" over WRC promotion with respect to television coverage. We have no idea if that has anything to do with the supposed issues with BMW, but we do know we'd like to see the little red flyer in action again this year.

Whoops! Mini misses WRC registration deadline originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countrymancountryman wrcfiamini motorsportmini wrcprodriveworld rally championshipwrcThu, 22 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20133315/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/22/whoops-mini-misses-wrc-registration-deadline/20133315/article-detail.xml 20133315 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2011-mini-wrc-car-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2011-mini-wrc-car-628.jpg <![CDATA[Prodrive working on WRC-inspired Mini Countryman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/prodrive-working-on-wrc-inspired-mini-countryman/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/prodrive-working-on-wrc-inspired-mini-countryman/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/prodrive-working-on-wrc-inspired-mini-countryman/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Autocar reports that Mini may be working on a more sinister version of Countryman. The hotter crossover would receive the once-over by the rally kings at Prodrive using lessons learned from the Mini WRC effort. Dave Richards, the head honcho at Prodrive, has made it clear that road-going versions of the Countryman WRC are a possibility, and Autocar was able to snag a few photos an aggressive Countryman wearing a fixed carbon fiber wing and custom alloy wheels. The report dishes on further details by saying that the vehicle will pack a Prodrive Milltek exhaust and a more potent version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently available in the Mini Cooper S.

That's interesting and all, but we hear word that Prodrive is focusing its efforts on creating a powerful version of the three-door Paceman. Is it possible that Mini and Prodrive are currently working on more than one model? Hoping certainly doesn't cost us anything at this point. Head over to Autocar to check out the photos for yourself.

Prodrive working on WRC-inspired Mini Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countrymancountryman prodrivecountryman wrcmini countryman prodrivemini prodrivemini wrcpacemanpaceman prodriveprodriveprodrive countrymanprodrive pacemanwrcWed, 19 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20085453/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/19/prodrive-working-on-wrc-inspired-mini-countryman/20085453/article-detail.xml 20085453 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/01-mini-countryman-longterm_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/01-mini-countryman-longterm.jpg <![CDATA[Videos: Mini has some fun with the Countryman WRC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/videos-mini-has-some-fun-with-the-countryman-wrc/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/videos-mini-has-some-fun-with-the-countryman-wrc/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/14/videos-mini-has-some-fun-with-the-countryman-wrc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

mini countryman wrc
Mini takes the Countryman WRC out for some spins - Click above to watch video after the jump

Mini is excited to get back to rally racing, and its hoping the new Countryman WRC will be a good tool for the job. The automaker has been all over the place to show off its pumped-up racer, and, thankfully for us, cameras were brought along the whole way.

We have five videos waiting for you after the jump. In the first three, driver Kris Meeke does his best Ken Block impersonation by tackling a mini (or is that Mini?) Gymkhana course. The other two videos show a bit of Mini's racing history and give a look at the official launch of the Countryman WRC.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Videos: Mini has some fun with the Countryman WRC

Videos: Mini has some fun with the Countryman WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countrymancountryman wrcgymkhanaminimini countrymanmini countryman wrcvideoworld rally championshipwrcThu, 14 Apr 2011 20:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19913779/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/14/videos-mini-has-some-fun-with-the-countryman-wrc/19913779/article-detail.xml 19913779 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/mini-wrc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/mini-wrc.jpg <![CDATA[Mini and Prodrive officially launch WRC team at Oxford]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/mini-and-prodrive-officially-launch-wrc-team-at-oxford/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/mini-and-prodrive-officially-launch-wrc-team-at-oxford/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/mini-and-prodrive-officially-launch-wrc-team-at-oxford/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mini JCW WRC
MINI John Cooper Works WRC - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been a long time in the making, but after confirming their participation some eight months ago and unveiling the car in Monte Carlo for nostalgia's sake, Mini and Prodrive have finally and officially launched their joint World Rally Championship effort at the Mini assembly plant in Oxford, England.

The team is starting off with a limited schedule in the WRC this year, where it will contest a number of rallies throughout the year, before taking on the likes of Ford and Citroën - which have won every drivers' and manufacturers' championship in the WRC for the past seven years - for the full championship in 2012.

The S2000-spec Mini Countryman rally car has already contested three lower-level regional rallies, winning the Rally dell'Adriatico in the Italian Gravel Rally Championship. 2009 IRC champion Kris Meeke and former Citroën WRC driver Dani Sordo will debut as Mini's official works drivers at the Italian Rally in Sardegna next month.

We'll be watching to see how they do, but for now you can follow the jump to read the full press release, and check out the images of the WRC-spec car at its debut in Oxford and the S2000-spec machine being put through its paces during Rally Portugal in the galleries below.


Gallery: MINI John Cooper Works WRC


Gallery: MINI John Cooper Works S2000


[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Mini and Prodrive officially launch WRC team at Oxford

Mini and Prodrive officially launch WRC team at Oxford originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countrymancountryman wrcjohn cooper worksminimini john cooper worksmini john cooper works s2000mini wrcprodriveworld rally championshipwrcWed, 13 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19908853/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/13/mini-and-prodrive-officially-launch-wrc-team-at-oxford/19908853/article-detail.xml 19908853 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/web630-mini-wrc-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/web630-mini-wrc-2.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: Mini working on road-going version of WRC Countryman?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/rumormill-mini-working-on-road-going-version-of-wrc-countryman/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/rumormill-mini-working-on-road-going-version-of-wrc-countryman/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/rumormill-mini-working-on-road-going-version-of-wrc-countryman/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mini Countryman WRC
Mini Countryman WRC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Tail-slidin', bump-jumpin' heroics are all good and fun, but one of the things we love most about rallying is that the cars are closely based on production models. Often rather ordinary ones at that, like Ford Fiestas, Subaru Imprezas and the like. And what turns easily from a road car into a rally racer can just as easily be turned back into a road car.

Look no further than examples like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo X for evidence. And now that Mini is getting into the World Rally Championship, rumors are beginning to circulate that they're planning a rally-derived performance model as well.

Since the Mini WRC is based on the Countryman crossover, word has it that a showroom-ready, performance-oriented Countryman could be in the works. Something with even more power than the existing JCW version and a wide-body kit for an extra dose of attitude. Even with all the Mini variants on the road and in the pipeline, this one has us particularly intrigued.


Gallery: Paris 2010: Mini Countryman WRC


Photos by Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: AUSmotive via MotoringFile]

Rumormill: Mini working on road-going version of WRC Countryman? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countrymancountryman wrcminimini countrymanmini countryman wrcmini wrcThu, 27 Jan 2011 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19817829/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/rumormill-mini-working-on-road-going-version-of-wrc-countryman/19817829/article-detail.xml 19817829 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/countryman-wrc-paris1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/countryman-wrc-paris1.jpg <![CDATA[Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/video-s-mini-countryman-wrc-gets-wrung-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/video-s-mini-countryman-wrc-gets-wrung-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/15/video-s-mini-countryman-wrc-gets-wrung-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mini Countryman WRC
2011 Mini Countryman WRC - Click above to watch video after the jump

If it looks like a WRC racer, sounds like a WRC racer and moves like a WRC racer, chances are it will be able to handle itself against the rest of the pros on the global rally stage. We've already gotten a few quick glimpses of the Mini Countryman WRC thanks to a handful of still photos from the beater's development at the Prodrive studios, but so far, we haven't been able to see the car in action. Consider that problem taken care of.

A few videos have cropped up on the YouTubes showing the car being put through its paces over some pretty grueling gravel stages in Portugal. From what we can see, the racer is plenty quick, if not a bit unsorted. We're guessing that the mechanical wizards at Prodrive will have the car fit for duty well before it knocks skulls with the rest of the heathens in the WRC.

Now the only real question is whether or not Mini is going to offer some variant of the go-fast pieces found on the WRC bruiser to the masses. We're thinking we could rock a Countryman with a lower stance, meaner turbo and physics-bending brakes. Hit the jump to take a look at a few of the videos yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out

Video(s): Mini Countryman WRC gets wrung out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 Countryman2011 Mini Countryman2011Countryman2011MiniCountrymanCountryman WRCCountrymanWrcMini CountrymanMini Countryman WRCMiniCountrymanMiniCountrymanWrcworld rally championshipWorldRallyChampionshipWRCWed, 15 Sep 2010 10:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19634549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/15/video-s-mini-countryman-wrc-gets-wrung-out/19634549/article-detail.xml 19634549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/countryman-wrc-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/countryman-wrc-630.jpg -1 2