Tuesday 22nd June 2010

Prodrive Set For WRC Return With Toyota Or Mini

David Richards will be back rallying in 2011, but who with?

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Word has reached the virtual ears of PH's internet spies that Prodrive could be set to return to the WRC, with either Toyota or Mini, depending on which rumour you prefer.

When Subaru quit top-flight rallying at the end of 2008 David Richards' Prodrive organisation moved its focus away from the stages and concentrated on getting a slot on the 2010 F1 grid. But when Prodrive failed to secure an F1 grid slot - losing out to the ill-fated USF1 project - its attention turned once again to rallying, with a view to returning to the WRC in 2011.

Now it seems that Richards has been in talks with both Toyota and BMW. "We will be back [in World Rally] next year with a brand new car. It is a new manufacturer," Richards told The Paddock online magazine in an interview.

But which manufacturer? Richards did not deny that it could be Toyota, and Toyota people have been at several WRC events this year. The Japanese giant also has - presumably - a large motorsport budget to play with following its withdrawal from F1 at the end of last year, and could presumably cope with a WRC campaign - which would cost less than 10 per cent what it spent annually on F1.

Prodrive had previously been linked with BMW and Mini for the 2011 season, however, with a WRC version of the new Countryman SUV. But unconfirmed reports suggest that BMW isn't willing to wholly fund a WRC programme.

[german tony]

Surely Toyota has an organistaion in germany that still functions & is capable of running a WRC programme? 's not like they have no experince of so-doing. Why would they need Prodrive?

[Brian McGee]

Still can not get over how Mad Max let Hishernia racing, and USF1 into F1 and rejected Prodrive.

Drivel.

Good luck to them in the WRC.

[TheArchitect]

he mentions a new team? now Toyota has been in WRC before so that leaves BMW? or does he mean new as in not in WRC currently

[Slippydiff]

german tony said:

Surely Toyota has an organistaion in germany that still functions & is capable of running a WRC programme? 's not like they have no experince of so-doing. Why would they need Prodrive?

Toyotas WRC budget was the biggest by some margin (obscene would be a more accurate description actually) Prodrive most likely has the ability to run the team on a tighter budget (not a cheap budget you understand, but cheaper than Toyotas Motosport department would be capable of.

The Mini project is an open secret, I believe Prodrive have been carrying out a feasibility study on the car for some months now.

There is however another Japanese manufacturer which dabbled in the WRC in years gone by (both times with uncompetitive cars) and I believe they too have expressed an interest in returning to the sport. Their previous drivers included Hannu Mikkola and Timo Salonen.
Sounds like a load of old wankel to me . . . . .

Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 22 June 12:11

[german tony]

The German Rally media connected Prodrive & Mini back in April this year. Now they are connecting Toyota in this context albeit based on a report on Pitpass, itself based on an article published by The Paddock that I can't find online.

The Germans also report that VW is considering using it's Dakar resources for a WRC entry in 2012.

[Ryvita]

Bring back the GT-FOUR!

[ws323f]

Slippydiff said:

german tony said:

Surely Toyota has an organistaion in germany that still functions & is capable of running a WRC programme? 's not like they have no experince of so-doing. Why would they need Prodrive?

Toyotas WRC budget was the biggest by some margin (obscene would be a more accurate description actually) Prodrive most likely has the ability to run the team on a tighter budget (not a cheap budget you understand, but cheaper than Toyotas Motosport department would be capable of.

The Mini project is an open secret, I believe Prodrive have been carrying out a feasibility study on the car for some months now.

There is however another Japanese manufacturer which dabbled in the WRC in years gone by (both times with uncompetitive cars) and I believe they too have expressed an interest in returning to the sport. Their previous drivers included Hannu Mikkola and Timo Salonen.
Sounds like a load of old wankel to me . . . . .

[GravelBen]

Slippydiff said:

There is however another Japanese manufacturer which dabbled in the WRC in years gone by (both times with uncompetitive cars) and I believe they too have expressed an interest in returning to the sport. Their previous drivers included Hannu Mikkola and Timo Salonen.

Not to mention that Millen bloke that went on to take a Toyota up that hill in America fairly quickly?

[german tony]

Maybe the Koreans want a better bash at it 2nd time around.

[vit4]

Or maybe...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

[Cole Trickle]

It will be BMW MINI

Toyota Motorsport Germany have their own capability http://www.toyota-motorsport.com/prices.htm

[soad]

Ryvita said:

Bring back the GT-FOUR!

I'd sure like that but seems not likely.

[essexgt4]

i hope they do return and release a 4wd homologation monster unlike their current range of namby pamby cars, but lets just hope they learned their lesson.

[Emeye]

Don't Subaru have an interest in Subaru nowadays? That could be a link to Prodrive and could maybe see Petter Solberg driving for them?

Whoever it is, it's starting to look good for the 2011 WRC with plenty of manufacturer backed teams.

[cptsideways]

Would love to see some more homologation specials


FT-86 Rally cars anyone???


One of my toys from the past, Group N built car that was a replica of the 86 WRC round 1 winning car.

[E-B]

I love the idea of a WRC spec mini countryman! Because where there's a WRC there's a Gp N! I'm currently competing in the British Cross Country Championships and to think one of those might be able to cope with the stages like the current Freelander Challenge cars makes me salivate with anticipation! Now where's that list of potential sponsors.......... must increase next years budget............alot!

[emicen]

Slippydiff said:

german tony said:

Surely Toyota has an organistaion in germany that still functions & is capable of running a WRC programme? 's not like they have no experince of so-doing. Why would they need Prodrive?

Toyotas WRC budget was the biggest by some margin (obscene would be a more accurate description actually) Prodrive most likely has the ability to run the team on a tighter budget (not a cheap budget you understand, but cheaper than Toyotas Motosport department would be capable of.

The Mini project is an open secret, I believe Prodrive have been carrying out a feasibility study on the car for some months now.

There is however another Japanese manufacturer which dabbled in the WRC in years gone by (both times with uncompetitive cars) and I believe they too have expressed an interest in returning to the sport. Their previous drivers included Hannu Mikkola and Timo Salonen.
Sounds like a load of old wankel to me . . . . .

Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 22 June 12:11

But Mazda are owned by Ford. Ford who already spunk a LOT every year on the WRC. Why would they authorise competition amongst themselves?

The way the modern motor industry is structured is a nightmare for getting multiple manufacturers on the grids/startline of anything.

I'm surprised that Toyota wouldnt just use TTE, although I could quite easily believe a lot of the rally knowledgebase will have left and may actually be at places like Prodrive.

[german tony]

I'm trying to work out what Mini would get from the WRC - they'd be competing against Fiestas etc - unless Citröen plan to use their baby DS in the WRC in which case there is some sense in it.

[Emeye]

german tony said:

I'm trying to work out what Mini would get from the WRC - they'd be competing against Fiestas etc - unless Citröen plan to use their baby DS in the WRC in which case there is some sense in it.

I thought Citroen were using the DS.......

[ljp14]

I have heard from someone inside Prodrive, that it is going to be mini