RE: Mini misses 2012 WRC deadline

[The Danimal]

Even if MINI do make it to the Monte and win, I'm fairly sure the French will get them 'disqualified' on a made up technicality with the main beam headlights.

[jamescodriver]

Denorth said:

that company on Coventry that I don't remember correct name

CPP

[epom]

readying the 3 door mini for rallying has taken more time than expected (fingers crossed)

[weyland yutani]

BMW's lack of commitment and the teams failure to secure a lead sponsor is a clear sign that the WRC isn't all that attractive. Hell even Ford hesitated for a while.

Im sure Jean Toad will give Mini and extension on their deadline though, they desperately need more manufacturers.

[robmlufc]

patmahe said:

How does a professional experienced wrc team like prodrive allow that to happen? I'm assuming its not as simple as a form filling exercise, but even so not doing it correctly jeopradises the entire project. If I was bmw management I'd be asking serious questions.

The same professional experienced Le Mans team that made a complete balls up with the LMP1 car? Not a massive shock after the Le Mans farce.

[soad]

I thought CSI gone into Administration?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96585

[andyps]

I can't imagine the FIA saying no to an entry if it is late, there might be a small "fine" or something but they aren't likely to turn it away as it will increase the appeal.

Would be a real shame if the MINI doesn't make it, the development costs must have been pretty high and not to continue and see a return would be wrong unless BMW are really struggling for money......

[mat205125]

Munich said:

IMO a real shame, especially if it due to DTM. I mean, how inward looking does BMW want to be if it is only prepared to support DTM, which is primarily a German market motor-sport series.

Humpty Dumpty over-doored MINI, or:

[RacinGreen]

I know this is an old chestnut but its not a 'mini' anyhow, so BMW shooting itself in the foot in this way is nothing if not amusing to those of us who love and respect the original. Marketing gravy train come off the rails has it? Shame!

[dtrump]

Baryonyx said:

BMW have probably done this on purpose, to avoid being shown up by Citroën and Ford!

^This^

They're just too far ahead


At the moment DTM wins for me. WRC isn't exciting enough right now

[rev-erend]

RacinGreen said:

I know this is an old chestnut but its not a 'mini' anyhow, so BMW shooting itself in the foot in this way is nothing if not amusing to those of us who love and respect the original. Marketing gravy train come off the rails has it? Shame!

It's got a badge on the boot ..

Why does it not qualify as a mini ?

[nickfrog]

"time has beaten us on the deadline".

LOL. Corporate spin BS at its best/worst.

[havard01]

Does anybody actually watch DTM? I thought it was just for sausage munching mullet haired Europeans.

[Vocal Minority]

epom said:

readying the 3 door mini for rallying has taken more time than expected (fingers crossed)

+1

[Munich]

havard01 said:

Does anybody actually watch DTM? I thought it was just for sausage munching mullet haired Germans.

Corrected that for you...

[Emeye]

I read somewhere that the FIA could have given Ford more time if they hadn't committed before the deadline. Hope MINI are there next year, WRC needs all the teams it can get.

[Munich]

mat205125 said:

Humpty Dumpty over-doored MINI, or:

Maybe, but it is an expensive motorsport series that doesn't have much of a reach (in or outside of German). Here in German, DTM is shown at a normal time on Sunday afternoon on a normal channel, but still none of my car-loving friends make any time to actually watch it.

[EDLT]

Munich said:

mat205125 said:

Humpty Dumpty over-doored MINI, or:

Maybe, but it is an expensive motorsport series that doesn't have much of a reach (in or outside of German). Here in German, DTM is shown at a normal time on Sunday afternoon on a normal channel, but still none of my car-loving friends make any time to actually watch it.

Rallying has more overtaking in it too.

[chevronb37]

soad said:

I thought CSI gone into Administration?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96585

I think this is the true story here, not BMW funding/otherwise. It will relate to exactly what kind of WRC will happen next year, who is promoting it and how it will be televised.

[solidsponge]

It looks pretty smart when lowered and in rally form, sure its kinda a bit off the classic but the wrc version is pretty immense.