PARIS SHOW: MINI Countryman WRC

2010 Paris Motor Show News Special

We've known it was on the cards for a while, and now it's been confirmed - MINI will compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2011 with this creation, the MINI WRC.

Based on the new MINI Countryman SUV, the show car made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, kitted out in full rally gear complete with wide body kit, night-time spotlights and a large rear wing.

The BMW-owned company confirmed that it would run the motorsports vehicles in six of the 13 rounds of the 2011 World Rally Championship, followed by a full season in 2011 and beyond.

UK-based motorsport outfit Prodrive has partnered with MINI to field the new cars in the WRC in 2011 and beyond, and Prodrive chief David Richards says the target with the new car is to win the title within three years.

"This project is a truly passionate opportunity," says Richards. "MINI is a cult brand which left a lasting impression during its previous motorsport campaigns. We are both extremely happy and proud to be on board as a partner when MINI returns to rallying.

"We aim to use 2011 as a preparatory year, amassing experience in order to ensure we are fully competitive from the start of the following season. But let's not underestimate the task ahead of us nor the stiff competition we will face on the way, however our target is firmly set on winning the World Championship title again with MINI."

Prodrive helped Subaru achieve multiple WRC titles before quitting the sport in 2008, and the UK-based company also operates Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) in and Ford Performance Racing in Australia.

The MINI Countryman WRC was recently spied testing at Prodrive's rally proving grounds in the UK, and group spokesperson Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht explained that MINI had a long history of rally racing, but that this new excursion will propel the brand into a new realm. "MINI can look back on a successful tradition in rallying ... [But] The interest in motorsport among the present generation of MINI customers is massive. The WRC provides an excellent communications platform for the MINI Countryman,upon which the MINI WRC is based."

Kris Meeke of Northern Ireland has been named as the first driver for the MINI WRC team, and expect to see the popularity of giant rear wings and lowering kits for the MINI Countryman skyrocket in 2011 and beyond.

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