The World Rally Championship has for two consecutive seasons only been contested by two manufacturer teams, Citroen and Ford. But the current champions and number one contenders will have to deal with a new threat from Mini, who is making a long-awaited comeback on the international rally scene.
And the chosen weapon for WRC assault is none other than the Countryman, the brand’s bridge between its classic retro concept and Sports Activity Vehicle, which is being developed by British motorsport and engineering firm Prodrive – who have been out of world rally action since Subaru plugged its WRC programme at the end of 2008.
At the heart of the Countryman WRC is a 1,6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which complies with the International Automobile Federation’s new Super2000 regulations – designed to reduce current WRC development costs by 25 per cent. The first units will be tested toward the end of 2010, during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
The latest move by Mini pays homage to the heritage of the Cooper S, which took sensational victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in the 1960s and numerous other successes, including occasions in the European Rally Championship. Soon after the marque resurfaced under BMW management, it took to the track, demonstrating the sporty character of its cars in the Mini Challenge series.
“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,” says Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management at BMW AG.
“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,” says Prodrive chairman David Richards.
In 2011, works team will compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards – a commitment planned for several years.
