The return of MINI to ane of the biggest stages in motorsport is approaching always closer. On Mon, the MINI WRC Team was officially presented to the public at the Team Launch, which took identify at the MINI Institute in Oxford (GB). This season, the team will contest six rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. The car will exist tested against its rivals for the starting time fourth dimension at the Rally d'Italia Sardegna from 5th to 8th May 2011. The goal in the debut season is to gain valuable experience to be perfectly prepared to take on the entire 2012 Earth Rally Championship.

MINI tin look back on a long history of success in rallying. Paddy Hopkirk (GB), Timo Mäkinen (FI) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI) won the Rallye Monte Carlo in the Classic Mini Cooper Southward in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Today'south driving teams of Kris Meeke (GB)/Paul Nagle (IR) and Dani Sordo (ES)/Carlos del Barrio (ES) are keen to follow in the footsteps of the "Three Musketeers".

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At the launch in the "T Building" of the MINI Constitute in Oxford, the spotlight was initially on Hopkirk and Aaltonen as they collection onto the stage backside the bicycle of the legendary Classic Mini Cooper Southward. The guests and media representatives were and so treated to their outset look at the MINI John Cooper Works WRC in its final World Championship design. The car was adult by Prodrive, based on the MINI Countryman production model.

"On the one mitt, MINI tin look back on a unique success story," said Ian Robertson, Fellow member of the Board of Management of the BMW AG for Sales and Marketing. "On the other hand, MINI is the paradigm of excitement for millions of fans around the globe and thrills them with its energy. This is precisely what we are able to authentically represent through our motorsport involvement in the Globe Rally Championship. Thrilling rally events, ultimate performances past human being and machine, and as much success every bit possible, of course: motorsport is pure emotion – only every bit MINI is for its fans."

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David Richards, Chairman and Chief Executive, Prodrive Grouping, is also looking forward to the first rally for the new MINI John Cooper Works WRC. He said: "Nosotros have been working towards this moment for more than ii years and it is truly exciting to be launching the MINI WRC Team and what I believe is the most stunning car in World Rallying, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. We take an experienced team, a talented driver pairing and, nearly chiefly of all, a strong partnership with MINI. Nosotros are now eagerly looking forward to demonstrating the performance of the car on its debut in Sardinia in just a few weeks."

"The excitement of everyone involved in the comeback of MINI to the rally phase is building with every day we get closer to our maiden rally appearance," added Dirk Hollweg, Caput of MINI Motorsport. "With the MINI WRC Squad we not simply want to please the loyal fans of the MINI brand, simply also aim to address new motorsport enthusiasts. We want to thrill them with fascinating pictures, technical know-how and pure performance. In addition, the special MINI lifestyle is always office of the equation. For us, it's e'er about a bit more than just motorsport. I think the rally fans will dearest it."

David Wilcock, Technical Manager of the MINI WRC Team, presented the guests with the virtually important details of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC and said: "This Team Launch is really perfectly timed for u.s.. Nosotros wait back at some extremely demanding and busy months. Now we are entering the crucial phase of our training program for the kickoff rally. Nosotros started the development of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC early. It was important to make certain the ratio between development and bodily building of the car was right. Our goal was to maximise every area of performance we could get from the technical regulations. Our commencement rally appearances will show how well we achieved this. In whatever case I can say that the partnership betwixt MINI, Prodrive and BMW Motorsport on the engine side is running exceptionally well, anybody is contributing to the project with a lot of enthusiasm."

Having already completed several thousand kilometres of tests behind the wheel of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC, drivers Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo can hardly await to finally compete in the get-go rally for the MINI WRC Squad. "This launch is the next milestone on the long way to our commencement rally," said Meeke following the presentation of the car. "I cannot wait to get the season started. Information technology's overnice for anybody in the team to see the issue of their work presented in such a spectacular way. The heritage of MINI in motorsport is fantastic. At present we want to brand sure we play our part in adding some more capacity to the success story."

Sordo is besides highly motivated ahead of his sixth season in the World Rally Championship. "It'south near time we become the ball rolling," said the 2005 Junior Globe Rally Champion. "The break since my last rally has been long plenty, at present we want to show how skilful we are. Everything is new for me this year. Bearing this in mind, the additional time to become accustomed to my new environment has definitely been helpful. At present I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and to fight for potent results with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC."

The MINI John Cooper Works WRC is powered by a ane.half-dozen-litre turbo engine also used in MINI production cars, which was developed by BMW Motorsport for use in serial complying with FIA Super 2000 regulations, including the World Touring Car Title. Every bit well as being responsible for the works team'southward MINI John Cooper Works WRC cars, Prodrive also supplies customer cars to teams lining up in the Globe Rally Title. This applies to the WRC and S2000 versions of the new rally MINI.

Over the course of the afternoon, Meeke and Sordo will consummate a number of demonstration runs on a particularly set out track at the MINI Constitute in Oxford. The MINI WRC Team will then close the event with a party under the motto "The Comeback".

Specifications

Engine:
Blazon: Four-cylinder inline turbo engine with direct fuel injection and air restrictor
Chapters: i,599cc
Bore x stroke: 77 x 85.8mm
Compression: max. 12.5:1 (FIA regulations)
Max. output: approx. 310bhp
Max. torque: approx. 420Nm
Max. engine speed: eight,500 rpm (FIA regulations)

Dimensions:
Length: 4,110 mm
Width: ane,820 mm
Meridian: adjustable
Weight: i,200 kg (FIA regulations)

Chassis:
MINI Countryman bodyshell with Prodrive roll muzzle exceeding FIA regulations
Aerodynamics:
WRC rear wing, WRC front bumper
Transmission:
Permanent iv wheel bulldoze
Forepart axle: Plated limited slip
Rear axle: Plated limited slip
Gearbox: Xtrac 6-speed sequential
Pause:
Öhlins Prodrive Macpherson strut, three manner adaptable
Front brakes system:
Tarmac: AP Racing four-piston brake with 355mm in diameter Gravel: AP Racing four-piston brake with 300mm in diameter
Rear brake arrangement:
Tarmac: AP Racing four-piston brake with 355mm in diameter Gravel: AP Racing four-piston restriction with 300mm in bore
Steering:
Hydraulic ability assisted
Wheels:
ATS wheels
Tarmac: 18" diameter
Gravel: 15" diameter
Tyres:
Michelin (FIA regulations)

[Source: MINI ]