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Citroen Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: Citroën DS3 WRC

Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën has just fired back at MINI by releasing new images of its 2011 DS3 WRC. It looks pretty cool, too, but I think the MINI WRC is still a bit better. Of course, with eleventy-times champion Sebastien Loeb at the wheel, the DS3 WRC is sure to be the car to beat next year.

The full reveal of the DS3 WRC will take place very soon at the Paris Motor Show. More pics after the break.

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MINI Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: MINI WRC

MINI WRC

MINI has just revealed its new Countryman-based WRC car in Paris. It looks pretty mean in that first pic, too. Will this be the coolest car in world rallying?

After the break you can see more pics, brief technical details and a couple of short interviews with Ian Roberston, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW Group and David Richards, Prodrive Chairman.

Update 4 October: Extra pics from the Paris stand can be seen HERE.

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Citroen WRC

Citroën previews new DS3 WRC

Citroen DS3 WRC teaser

Citroën has offered a brief video tease of their new DS3-based WRC weapon. It’s not much, of course, just a 34 second YouTube clip. But you do get glimpses of the car’s twin deck rear spoiler and dashboard layout. The side profile above is shown for about one second, as well. The full reveal is set for 30 September, so stay tuned for more details then.

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MINI WRC

MINI WRC prototype filmed in Portugal

MINI WRC prototype

Prodrive are are testing their new MINI WRC car in Portugal this week. Thankfully, some keen rally fans have been on hand to film the action. After the break you’ll see a selection of videos posted to YouTube which show, if nothing else, the turbocharged 1.6 litre engine sounds nuts as the car rips along the gravel roads. We can only hope, for the sake of the WRC, that Prodrive get this MINI thing right!

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MINI WRC

MINI WRC team sign Kris Meeke, Gronholm could be next

Kris Meeke signs with MINI WRC

It has been reported that young UK rally driver Kris Meeke is the first to put pen to paper with the new MINI/Prodrive WRC team. Meeke, currently racing in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, would not confirm the signing saying only, “My focus remains on this year and winning rallies with Peugeot.”

However a source with links to Prodrive has said, “The deal with Kris is done. David Richards has talked a great deal about having a British driver and he’s been as good as his word.”

Meanwhile dual WRC champion Marcus Gronholm will be testing a MINI Countryman WRC prototype in Portugal this week which could result in him being the next major signing for the newest team in world rally.

The MINI WRC team will contest a reduced number of events in 2011 before taking on the WRC full-time in 2012.

[Source: Autosport | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

Categories
MINI WRC

Want to buy a WRC car?

MINI/Prodrive WRC

As most readers will be aware MINI and Prodrive recently announced a new partnership which is set to produce lovely little WRC racecar offspring. So, if you reckon the MINI Countryman is not all bad, plus you have a spare £346K (AU$600K) burning a hole in your pocket and you know how to flick a Scandinavian, or something like that, then head on over to MotoringFile and download the official brochure.

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Saab Volkswagen WRC

Saab, Volkswagen next to join WRC?

Saab 99

A recent report from autosport suggests both Saab and Volkswagen are considering a future in WRC. Saab have a proud rallying history but haven’t competed at the highest level in over 30 years.

It’s understood they could return in 2012 with a WRC car based on their 9-1 or 9-2 platform. They could even source their engines direct from MINI, who have also recently announced a return to top level rallying.

An anonymous source has reportedly told autosport that meetings between Saab and WRC organisers have already taken place, “The initial meeting has happened and there’s a huge amount of enthusiasm from all concerned. Like Mini, Saab has a great heritage in the sport and a return to the WRC makes a lot of sense.” The article states more talks are planned in October.

It was also reported that Volkswagen could be ready to commit to the WRC with a limited program in 2012, before a full on assault in 2013.

Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport, WRC’s promoter, said, “I think Mini’s announcement has given people a lot of confidence in the sport. The messages we’re getting are all positive.”

[Source: autosport | Pic: SaabRally]

Categories
MINI WRC

Dave Richards talking MINI and the WRC

Dave Richards

Dave Richards, Prodrive chairman, has been talking recently about the return of MINI to the world rally stage. You can see a brief television piece after the break. A more in-depth interview is also available on the WRC website. Here’s a snippet:

“The traditional way of producing a rally car is that a manufacturer comes along and asks you to make a car out of this product. Instead, we took the new regulations and said, right, what would the ultimate car look like? We used reverse engineering. Three months in, we looked at what we’d got and analysed this against the cars of all the manufacturers in the world. By March 2009 we had come up with 11 target cars. Then we went to talk to the manufacturers.

“Ironically the MINI wasn’t on that list because the car as we knew it was too small. It just didn’t fit the rules. But during discussions we found out that a new, larger car was in development – the four-door Countryman – and it went straight to the top of our list. Firstly, as being just about perfect in dimensions and layout, and secondly being one of the most iconic names and rally brands ever.”

Follow the source link below for the full interview.

[Source: WRC | Thanks to Chris for the YouTube tip]

Categories
MINI WRC

MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011

MINI Countryman WRC

It’s taken a few days longer than expected but MINI have just confirmed their plans to enter the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally car will be based on the new Countryman platform. Proven rally outfit Prodrive have been charged with preparing the MINI Countryman WRC to new Super2000 regulations.

MINI will undertake a restricted program in 2011 before taking on the full WRC calendar from 2012 and beyond.

Prodrive Chairman, David Richards is excited at the prospect of bringing the MINI brand back to the world rally stage, “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 have been working on the MINI Countryman WRC since early last year and the first test drive is due in a couple of months from now. As well as the factory cars the MINI Countryman WRC will also be available for privateer teams.

All of a sudden the Countryman takes on a whole new cool factor! Full press release from MINI after the break.

Categories
Citroen WRC

The air up there

Citroen Racing

Citroën Racing have released their favourite top ten “big air” images from their time in WRC. Some of the images are quite spectacular, as the pic above from Sebastien Ogier in Turkey shows. Check the rest out after the, erm, jump. Make sure you click on each pic for the full 2000px super image.

Categories
Citroen WRC

Citroën confirms all-Sebastien WRC line up for 2011

Citroen DS3 R3

In other WRC news there will be change at Citroën Racing for the 2011 season, but it won’t be in their driver line up. Both Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier have been re-signed for next year. However, changes in WRC specifications will dictate the arrival of a new rally weapon from the dominant French team.

Out goes the highly successful C4 WRC and in comes the new rally-prepped DS3 WRC. The new car will maintain all-wheel drive, but will be fitted with a 1.6 litre turbocharged four cylinder motor, down from the current 2.0 litre capacity.

Despite conquering every mountain the WRC series has posed Loeb is as motivated as ever, “Of course, it’s no secret that we’re already working flat out on the new Citroën DS3, and I can’t wait to see where it stands in relation to its rivals. In the meantime, winning my seventh consecutive world title is my main objective.”

Ogier, too, is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new machine, “I’m thrilled at the idea of driving the new generation World Rally Cars, and of defending the colours of the make at the topmost level.”

Full release after the break.

Categories
MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive ready to announce WRC entry

MINI WRC

News has emerged that an announcement from MINI and Prodrive confirming a WRC entry is imminent. As the rendering above shows the rally car will be based on MINI’s new four-door Countryman model and will derive its engine from the 1.6 litre John Cooper Works range. It is expected the announcement will be made before the end of this week.

Norwegian driver Mads Ostberg is understood to undertaking a chief testing role with the MINI/Prodrive program and will likely sign on as one of the drivers for the 2011 season.

Despite these latest murmurings the car is still in its early stages of development. As a result the MINI is not expected to debut in the WRC until Round 5 of next year’s championship.

More news as it comes to hand.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: theSwitchback]