BMW representatives were guests of Prodrive boss David Richards at Rally Sweden in Karlstad, according to Motorsport News.
Work is well underway back in Banbury on the MINI project, which is set use a brand new turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The Crossover based 4x4 is expected to begin its initial testing programme this summer.
Prodrive technical director Dave Lapworth and ex-managing director of the Subaru WRT Richard Taylor, accompanied Richards on the fact-finding mission in Sweden. The party also met with controlling representatives of the World Rally Championship during the weekend.
The official launch of the Prodrive MINI Crossover WRC is expected to take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Meanwhile, Mads Ostberg stated to maxrally.com that he was currently in negotiations with Prodrive regarding the possibility of driving the Mini next year.
“I’m talking to Prodrive and both of us are interested in continuing working together,” said the Norwegian. “I definitely think that I am worthy of a drive with them. But it’s difficult to say exactly what we can do with them because we have been struggling quite a lot with cars and confidence. I think with a good team and some testing it’s possible to fight for good positions, definitely.”
Sources: -Motorsport News - MaxRally.com
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Tags: 2011, bmw, bosses, dave richards, launch, mini wrc, on target, ostberg, rally sweden, test
[...] to rallybuzz.com BMW representatives met with Prodrive boss David Richards at the Rally Sweden last weekend to talk [...]
[...] [via rallybuzz] [...]
[...] was reading that this morning on Rally Buzz: Prodrive MINI Crossover WRC project on schedule | RallyBuzz It's an exiting proposition I think. MINI News & Reviews – MINI Flickring – MINI Tweeting [...]
[...] recently, RallyBuzz fleshed out the story, stating that testing is due to begin in the summer, and that along with [...]
[...] RallyBuzz is reporting that BMW officials met with Dave Richards from former WRC constructor Prodive in Sweden last week to discuss MINI’s WRC future. Rumours of MINI contemplating a WRC entry surfaced last August and with BMW now out of Formula One they potentially have the budget to fund a rally program. [...]
[...] can read RallyBuzz article here. You can read the MotoringFile article [...]
Saw DR and David Lapworth in deep discussion at Alfies restaurant in Karlstad with some fairly senior looking people. Hope this deal comes off. More manufacturers badly needed