Press Release – July 27, 2010 – Munich
MINI is making a comeback on the international rally circuit. From 2011, the brand will compete at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and will go on to contest the entire season from 2012 onwards. This involvement is planned for several years.

The car charged with this task is the MINI Countryman WRC, which is being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and is based on the production model. The powerful heart of the racing car is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine from BMW Motorsport. The car complies with the new Super2000 regulations put in place by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which stipulate the use of turbo engines with 1,600 cc displacement and four-wheel drive combined with an increased emphasis on road relevant technologies. The result is a significant 25 per cent reduction in overall costs. The first test drive for the MINI Countryman WRC, which will also be available to customer teams, is planned for autumn 2010.

This decision sees MINI continue its success story in the world of rallying. In the 1960s, the MINI Cooper S caused a sensation with victories at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. The company also tasted success on many occasions in the European Rally Championship. Having already demonstrated the sporty character of its models in many countries in the MINI CHALLENGE, the brand is now taking its presence in motorsport to a new level with the commitment to the WRC.

Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: “I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying. 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.”

“This is a very exciting new motorsport programme,” said Prodrive Chairman, David Richards. “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally. 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.”

Prodrive has been working on developing the MINI Countryman WRC since early 2009. The company was formed in 1984 by Richards, who won the World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen (FI) three years earlier. Based in Banbury (GB), Prodrive has developed into a leading independent company in the motorsport and automobile sector under Richards’ guidance, and today employs over 500 staff. Prodrive’s many successes currently include six overall victories in the World Rally Championship, five titles in the British Touring Car Championship and three class victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours (FR).

BMW was present when the World Rally Championship made its debut back in 1973. Achim Warmbold (DE) and Jean Todt (FR) tasted victory in their BMW 2002 at the Alpenfahrt Rally in Austria. However, MINI’s tradition in this discipline stretches back even further: Pat Moss (GB) clinched the first victory with the MINI 850 at the 1959 Mini Miglia National Rally. MINI ultimately enjoyed its finest hours at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967: the MINI Cooper S celebrated three overall victories at the most iconic rallying event in the world. Paddy Hopkirk (IR, 1964), Timo Mäkinen (FI, 1965) and Rauno Aaltonen (FI, 1967) joined the list of winners at this prestigious event. In 1965, “Rally Professor” Aaltonen also won the European Rally Championship. Tony Ambrose (GB) and Mäkinen finished second and third to round off an excellent overall result for the MINI Cooper S. In addition, MINI drivers also enjoyed many individual wins at renowned rallies throughout Europe. The last BMW World Rally Championship victory was achieved in 1987 in Corsica by Bernard Béguin (FR) driving a BMW M3 which was built and run by Prodrive.

From 2011, over 40 years down the line, the MINI Countryman WRC will be charged with adding further chapters to this success story. It bridges the gap between the classic MINI concept and a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle. The brand’s first model to feature four doors and a wide-opening tailgate, it offers more space – which can be used in a wide variety of ways – to go with its raised seating position and optimised ride comfort. Plus, the “go-kart” feeling for which MINI is a byword has been preserved and takes on a new dimension with the optional MINI ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. The MINI Countryman expresses the defining virtues of the brand in terms of design, premium quality, handling, efficiency and the scope for customisation – and does so in an absorbingly individual way.

The next step down from the racing version is the MINI Cooper S Countryman. With its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection now complemented by fully variable valve management, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the range-topping model offers by far the best balance between output and fuel consumption in its displacement class. The engine generates an impressive 135 kW/184 bhp and allows the MINI Cooper S Countryman to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. Furthermore, the MINIMALISM concept sees wide-ranging technology designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions – such as Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display and the need-based operation of ancillary components – fitted as standard and in model-specific combinations.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman can be ordered as an option with MINI ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive. Here, an electromagnetic centre differential positioned directly on the final drive varies the distribution of power seamlessly between the front and rear axles. In normal driving conditions up to 50 per cent of the drive is sent to the rear wheels, in extreme situations as much as 100 per cent. The result is a new, traction-led expression of the agile handling for which MINI is famed.

Lest we forget, here’s a Classic Mini, new MINI, and Porsche at an earlier (real..) race.. the Classic spanks the new MINI as one would expect .. (it was modded.. of course..) now I wonder what a full JCW edition or race-prep MINI would do against a properly setup Porsche at the same track? Well, likely the MINI would blow it away, but on a longer roadcourse, it could likely be the Porsche.. though, again, one may argue it is the driver and not the vehicle when the specs are fairly close… blah blah blah… you can comment or share this post as usual

Wanna be a part of history? MINI USA is inviting MINI fans to watch the MINI vs Porsche race this Monday June 21st at Road Atlanta. However there’s a catch; there’s only room for 400 people on a first come first served basis.

It gets better. If you come to the event and register, you also get track time. Free track time and you get to see the much hyped MINI vs Porsche. Not bad for the price of free.

For those interested in making the trip all you have to do is be at Road Atlanta for the guest check-in and track time sign-up from 3:30 to 4:30 (you may want to get there sooner to make sure you get a spot). From there the schedule follows accordingly:

4:30-6:30 Dinner and Track time
6:30 Pre-race festivities
7:00 Race followed by award ceremony
7:10-8:00 Post-race celebration

But wait, how does MINI get Porsche there after they’ve publicly declined?

Easy, invite anyone who owns a Porsche to race. MINI is even providing the Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Here is MINIUSA’s reply to Porsche for those that missed it earlier..

Dateline: MC2 magazine offices Seattle, June 10, 2010

If you read the NY Times “A” section last Sunday you saw the full-page, four-color ad by MINI USA challenging Porsche Cars North America to a race at Road Atlanta, Monday, June 21st. What so very few know about are the details behind the curtain. It’s the sort of factual info we’ll be presenting soon with the re-launch of our GoMotoring.com site. Not just “exclusive” details but hard facts and insight on a daily basis!

The story started about three months ago with Jim McDowell, V.P. MINI USA. Now our Jim likes a good joke or two; it’s said that he’s a bit of prankster, too. He shared his idea only with 5-6 US staff, and with the help of Trudy Hardy (US marketing exec), he planned this bold and crafty campaign, telling no more than the people that can comfortably fit into a MINI Clubman. It was that tightly guarded until the Wednesday before the NY Times ad, when he called Munich and let the cat out of the bag to his Munich bosses our Scoopertm tells us. Even we at MC2 had no details until Monday morning.

We’ve been skulking around in dark places since then, with our contacts.

Click here to read more.. »

MINI sent me a link for a few of the MINI E videos, here is one from YouTube that all may enjoy..

Yes the track time may be considered slow for a normal saloon car, but for an E car, not a bad time. I suspect they can do better, this was basically a production car with a roll-cage added.. if they strip it down and make it a lean mean machine, though it wouldn’t look as pretty for the marketing folks, it would do better! I would also suspect that the 0-60 off the line would be pretty quick, certainly the Tesla roadster is

This promises to be a great day! Sorry; limited to 30 MINI’s only $450 buys a day of instruction and fun at one of our Country’s Premier Racing Venues!
This event is for Enthusiasts that have “limited” track experience and likely will be repeated later in the year if we have enough demand.
Contact Dave Bashaw, dbashaw@niello.com or myself, hdinse@niello.com to register or for more information, or call 916-483-6464 and ask for Dave or Hans.

Click the image to see it in full size!

Reporting from the scene is our contact, guY romagnali in Switzerland — he is with Daniel and Cumali, who organize the Mini Winter Rally.

These are just very short teaser videos, but you can view more videos (including footage from last year’s Mini WInter Rally and IMM) on his YouTube page!

Impressed with the coverage from Miniology thus far, he shares with us current news: A whopping total of 46 cars are registered from all across Europe, and the rally will start this Saturday. Here we have two short behind-the-scenes videos for faithful viewers, a “making of” — what we are seeing is shot directly from the interior of their MINI while they are preparing the road-course turn-by-turn maps, and you will see a quick shot of this year’s roadbook cover as well.. enjoy! You can see that the driver (on left) is driving the road-course while the navigator (on right) is checking over the maps — this is the sort of preparation needed to make the event a great success for all the participants..

Video 1 – Mini Winter Rally The making of the Roadbook 2010 (Part 1)

Video 2 – Mini WInter Rally The making of the Roadbook 2010 (Part 2)

More videos and pics coming soon!

So you can get an idea of the turn out for these events, here is a quick video showing a pan of last year’s run group – cars from Switzerland, France, Belgium, Italy, and elsewhere — 36 cars in all — look at all the classics in the snow! Looks like a lot of fun eh?

Video 3 – 2009 Mini WInter Rally (participants)

For more video snippets from last years rally (including lots of starting footage with Minis in the snow) check his YouTube as previously mentioned

It’s that time of year again, for the 6th Annual Mini Winter Rally!

One of Miniology’s friends on YouTube (memises4) has posted some videos and a blog from last year’s event, which we’ve been granted the privilege of reposting here for you!

Woot for the power of the Internet, eh?

The next Mini Winter Rally comes at the end of this month, the 30th and 31st of January 2010.

A gallery of pictures and almost-live video will be coming your way soon from this years event, courtesy of our man on the scene, taking part in the event … For more information you can visit his blog (English speakers, get your French translator ready) at the following URL:

http://badan.bleublog.lematin.ch/

Or, visit the Romand Mini Club online at this URL:

http://www.mini-club-romand.ch/

I ran his blog through Google Translaste, here is a quick synopsis of last year’s event, so you can get an idea what a treat this is for Mini drivers everywhere:

Saturday, January 24, 2009
Day breaks in the Lake Geneva and a nice surprise, the snow falling in big flakes. Ideal for a run on snow.

It falls for 35 small and 1 large English German who find themselves this morning gathered to attend the 5th edition of the Mini Winter Rally.

The crews of this year’s record participation came from Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy and England. Everyone took out their finest English during breakfast to make some acquaintances in a festive atmosphere.

The crew Badan Frioud [the blogger who shares his photos and videos with Miniology] remains concentrated, committed to their sponsor Chapi-Chapo Racing Team, which requires us to be good … at least until 5am.

9 am sharp, starting on the snowy roads in Vaud — we observed 20cm of fresh snowfall in some places — then arriving at a short autocross circuit which was created to test the drivers and cars’ abilities to safely navigate the ice.

We observed a good part of the fleet passing this initial test, going around the short course with their vehicles; Some were sliding around more so than others, some less, however, those that did finish the track of cones without issue were sure to take on the rest of the championship without any serious problems.

The track was created on a parade ground of [frozen] beer, and as we expected, this little slalom (arranged masterfully by our president Mr. Camandona) was very slippery– we were cautious and didn’t force the car, not to break those beautiful bodies.. however, this did cost us to lose ranking — he took 2nd place with a 10 second run, while we placed 4th at 13 seconds. Others less fortunate than us remained on the edge of the track, suffering from a broken gearbox.

The roads were distributed along the foot of the Jura, through the Gros de Vaud and the Fribourgeoise Campaign, always on white and icy roads.

At each of the checkpoints we did not hesitate to get warm with a little white [wine] and cheese from the region. Here were courageous volunteers, awaiting us at the roadside in -1 degree weather, making the 3 hour journey  so worthwhile!

At the end of the course our lunch was delayed, awaiting some competitors who had not yet arrived. It was around 3:00pm that afternoon, yet the food was always hot — I tell you this is a testimate to the event’s perfect organization!

After some time, two crews has still not arrived, and given the extreme conditions, they wisely decided to make one more special [plate of food] for the late arrivals, and move the festivities elsewhere..

Everyone then formed a caravan and made their way for drinks at a local bar, followed that evening with dinner and a tasting of the local cuisine from our friends from Team Poulidor, were we also shared some of ours.

After dinner, we were faced with the decision to hurry off to bed, or go for one last call at the bar? The choice was not difficult … so everyone gathered for one last beer to complete the stories of the day, and so ended our evening at the casino next door (note to self: we will wait a bit before buying another Mini).

Sunday, January 25th, 2009.
Nice surprise, the sun sparkling on freshly fallen snow. The program of the day would see us rising towards the Black Lake and crossing a pass at 1600m (5249 ft.) altitude. It is very cold, the roads are frozen, and even the modern cars had some challenges going across — again 2 [contenders] dropped out of the running.

Clearing the top, we descended towards the Gruyère Plain, Bulle, and Attalens. We were concerned since even in a straight line you can see the powder a little too closely. Fortunately, not too much damage to the number 34, and we end this beautiful weekend with a buffet and awards ceremony.

After more than 300km (about 190 miles), the victory is for our favorite Parisian, Jaggi, who surprises all stinging the 2nd place spot. Not bad for an unmetered bicycle without GPS or stopwatch!

Next year’s even finds us waking up 30 minutes earlier … not sure it suits us!

We watch as all these Minis go back into their huts, their occupants wearing big smiles. A beautiful Rally, it begs you to return next year — thanking again the tip top organization of the event. Pictures may be viewed here

[ very loose translation performed by StarLord and Google Translate site, please pardon any typos or contextual errors, LOL ]