Prodrive MINI WRC boss David Richards has said that the team will aim to win the World Rally Championship within three years, according to Reuters.
BMW announced today that the Banbury concern will be charged with running a Mini Countryman in the WRC, starting with a limited programme in 2011 before a full return in 2012.
Richards told Reuters: "The target is clearly to be competitive from the outset and we have set a target with BMW and Mini of the world title within the next three years. We [Prodrive] have got six world titles to our credit already so we've been there before and know what it takes to do it. We are setting about that task very meticulously."
"We expect to do half the championship next year," he added.
Richards then went on to say that he would like to see a British driver in the Mini Countryman WRC.
"Obviously our priority is to get the best drivers, whatever nationality. But I have always tried if possible to have one British driver in the team," he said. "There are a few candidates and maybe we will go for a younger driver, in the way we did with Colin [McRae] and Richard [Burns]."
The former Subaru chief also stated that Prodrive was taking a new approach to the Mini project.
"We took what's now been 18 months out, where we've actually gone back to basics," he said. "We've taken all the data we've accumulated over the last 20 years, analysed everything and gone into a lot of detail in design, manufacturing and purchasing.
"It is a radical new way we have gone about this project and I am very confident it will reap its rewards as well."
source: reuters
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Tags: aim, bmw, championship, development, goal, mini countryman wrc, photos, prodrive, programme, richards, wrc
Driver wise, I was thinking Gigi Galli and Chris atkinson, maybe PG or Conrad Rautenbach. As for British drivers, Craig Breen, Keith Cronin or Jonny Greer perhaps?
I see Cronin as a great choice for this ride for sure! Atkinson with the Monster Energy team next year I hope.
Drivers? Colins protege Kris Meeke for sure, same spectacular style so much speed he can slow down to be consistant, Guy Wilks would be a great all british team mate too!