I'm sure there are many "MINI-philes" on here to whom this is old news, but I found it an interesting read. Sounds like the WRC-MINI has been in development for quite a while.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85369

Just thought I'd post a link, FYI all MINI NAM'ers.


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when Countryman was announced, I knew it was a matter of time...

get one hepped up and rigged for WRC, it'll be unfair

 

Just an update on the MINI WRC car:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85590

Good to see MINI going back to its rallying roots. Hope they do well, maybe bring some much-needed excitement back to the WRC series.


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and give Skoda and Subaru a run for their $$$

 

Haven't seen this posted here yet ... MINI's going to run a limited schedule in WRC in 2011, and hopefully a full schedule in 2012. This should be fun.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100727/WRC/100729866

 

Crap, didn't see this 'fore I posted it on the General MINI forum.
AutoWeek has another article here. Looks like it's confirmed: limited schedule in 2011, shooting for a full schedule in 2012. Sweeet.

 

I can't wait.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4...ryman-WRC.html

 

Cool looking car! But does that roof spoiler actually do anything?

Dave

 

I read it was for cabin cooling. *shrugs sholders*

 

Two threads on this topic merged

 

Rally cars run with closed windows & no insulation what so ever. It gets extremely hot in those cars. The roof scoops bring in outside air to keep the crew from dieing of heat exhaustion.

 

I meant the roof wing on the back.

Dave

 

Down-force, works the same on a rally stage as it does on a racetrack.

 

It's just that the rear spoiler on the production MINI is non-functional, it only looks cool.
I'm just skeptical that putting a wing on a box does any good. I'd have to see wind tunnel data to be convinced.

Anyway, it's just a drawing of the car, we'll have to see if the wing makes it to the race car.

Dave

 

Anyone who competes at the top level of World Rally won't put a spoiler on just for looks. It will work or it will not be there. I've heard Pro Drive is building the car. They know what they are doing for sure.

That picture is at best is an artist's rendering of what he thinks it will look like.

I do agree, the wings on our MINIs are just for looks. Car jewelry if you will.

 

awesome! i'll hopefully be watching

 

Forget about Skoda and Subaru. Ken Block left Subaru for Ford. Ford has already been dominating, now they have one of the best drivers out there. I'd like to see who the Mini pilot/co-pilot are. I vote for Jan and Way!

 

LOL! I'm sure they'll get right on that for you.

There's airflow over the car, and that means that they can add bits to affect the flow of said air.

 

Spoilers have been de riguer in rallying for decades. At the speeds they travel, the cars would be almost uncontrollable without a wing to create massive downforce.

Here are some more outrageous ones from the recent past:





... and here's an old classic - Audi Sport Quattro from 1985-ish. It's shaped like a box - - with a double-decker wing. Makes the MINI look positively sleek!



These things were brutal, real weapons and very dangerous. The Group "B" class was banned (1986?) because of cars just like this.


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Those top 2 look like Pikes Peak racers. Those guys have always had crazy aero setups!


Looks like some sort of JCW GP-ish wing - you can definitely see the path of the smoke being altered by it.

 

Wow 33EJB you've picked 3 of the most extreme examples out there.

Thanks for posting those, man I love rally cars!

 

The BEST thing about the countryman s is that it uses the Cooper S engine. I wonder how prodrive will make more power? Im not too familiar with wrc rules but dont they have a 300 hp ceiling? New parts on the horizon?

 

like the jcw challenge cars... I doubt it will be easy to get their parts. If anything, im sure vendors will fabricate something similar when it comes time.

 

They should slap on one of these:

 

There is more than one class in the WRC. My guess is that if MINI does compete it will not be in the top tier. I'd guess it would be in a more production based class like the old group N. Time will tell....