MINI Countryman WRC
The new MINI Countryman World Rally Car completed its first shakedown at Prodrive’s private UK stage in Warwickshire.
The car traveled mostly on tarmac but also did a few kilometres on loose surfaces.
Prodrive’s technical director David Lapworth said ““As with any totally new car, it is vital to take time to ensure all the systems are working as intended before embarking on a week long gravel test.”
The car is now bound for Portugal where Marcus Gronholm is expected to test the MINI on gravel stages.
Personally, I am extremely happy that MINI are coming back into the WRC. After most of the big manufacturers pulled out of the sport a couple years back, we need all the new cars we can get to make The World Rally Championship as entertaining as it once was.
Welcome back MINI.
Supposidly this was the most perfect car for prodrive to return to the WRC with in regard to diemensions and already having a 4WD layout along with short overhangs. £350,000 if you would like to buy one for your rally team
MINI is a big name in Rally, or at least it was a few decades ago. Im eager to see if it still has what it takes in its 2011 WRC debut. Prodrive are far from been ameteurs though so with there experience and the MINIs reputation for sharp handling it looks set to be a winner, although i wouldnt mind if Prodrive took another look at the Subaru Impreza STi.