Thursday 6th January 2011

Dani Sordo Joins Meeke At Mini WRC

Prodrive and Mini reveal former Citroen driver is heading for Banbury

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Mini has revealed that former Junior World Rally champion and ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke in the Prodrive-run Mini WRC team for the 2011 season.

"There has been a great deal of excitement surrounding Mini's return to the WRC, so to be part of this new team is a fantastic opportunity for me," says the 27-year-old Spaniard. "I'm sure Mini has a big future in the sport. I'm looking forward to working with Kris Meeke, having completed a very successful test with him in Sardinia last November."

"Dani may only be 27, but he is already one of the most experienced drivers in the WRC and has been competing at the very highest level for the last five years," says David Richards, chairman of Prodrive. "I believe with the new MINI WRC and in the right environment, he can now take the next step and add to his 29 podiums with victories on WRC events and become a challenger for a WRC title."

Dani Sordo has been participating in the WRC since 2003 and has secured 102 stage wins, although an overall victory has as yet eluded him. He finished fifth overall in the 2010 WRC.

Sordo set to swap this...

...for this

[AshRS250]

Who proof reads the news reports before they are published?? as this part of the first paragraph doesn't make any sense ". . . . ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke will join the Prodrive-run Mini WRC . . ."

Surely it should read ". . . ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke in the Prodrive-run Mini WRC . . "

[Riggers]

AshRS250 said:

Who proof reads the news reports before they are published?? as this part of the first paragraph doesn't make any sense ". . . . ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke will join the Prodrive-run Mini WRC . . ."

Surely it should read ". . . ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke in the Prodrive-run Mini WRC . . "

I do. I've fired myself. But not before fixing it...

[EDLT]

At least he's got a chance of beating his team-mate now.

[anonymous-user]

I really hope Mini do well.

[HowardB]

I really do hope that the colour scheme they choose is a little more dynamic.

As for WRC, the more players the better, the days of the constructors championship having only two players need to be over soon.

good luck with the "mini adventure"

[rallyman77]

Although I have been sceptical about the new regulations I am looking forward to see the performance of the new teams/drivers/cars this year. I think the inclusion of mini and private entry (factory backed) teams will enhance the repuation of rallying and open new opportunities (to those who have the money of course).

[mat205125]

HowardB said:

I really do hope that the colour scheme they choose is a little more dynamic.

That disguise colour scheme is the only way to hide the overweight, and hideous shape and details of the BMW X1 Mini

[VladD]

I'm hoping that Prodrive run three cars and have them in full Italian Job livery.

[benjiegsi]

Prodrive are running a third car. A Brazilian Team have entered a mini which will be run by Prodrive.

[Allyc85]

Good sigining for Mini, Sordo is a solid driver who has been in the best team for the last few years

[mybrainhurts]

HowardB said:

I really do hope that the colour scheme they choose is a little more dynamic.

Aye, I've got that wallpaper in my bog...

[Ollieb7]

I could be wrong but i hated the 1 series BM when it came out - several years down the line i've got one and think its a cracking looking motor (yes not everyone's cup of tea...). However this Mini has to be one of the most ugly rally cars i have ever seen and would be very suprised if in a few years i change my mind.....

[Motormatt]

At the risk of being flamed to death I'm going to say it anyway.....

Forget for a minute all the 'lifestyle' branding rubbish and the fact its called 'Mini' when its anything but. A properly developed (think Focus RS or Litchfield WRX STi), Prodrive fettled, WRC inspired roadgoing version of that car could make an interesting prospect.

It has all the prerequisites for a roadgoing rally rep:
'Challenging' looks, Turbo 4 cylinder engine, 4wd, practical bodystyle, relatively compact size for confidence on narrow roads. An interesting modern day alternative to an Evo or STi?, Only downside (apart from the questionable image) is that being a BMW product, it would probably come with a matching BMW price tag.........anyone else agree? Or should I

[ALfooy]

Motormatt said:

At the risk of being flamed to death I'm going to say it anyway.....

Forget for a minute all the 'lifestyle' branding rubbish and the fact its called 'Mini' when its anything but. A properly developed (think Focus RS or Litchfield WRX STi), Prodrive fettled, WRC inspired roadgoing version of that car could make an interesting prospect.

It has all the prerequisites for a roadgoing rally rep:
'Challenging' looks, Turbo 4 cylinder engine, 4wd, practical bodystyle, relatively compact size for confidence on narrow roads. An interesting modern day alternative to an Evo or STi?, Only downside (apart from the questionable image) is that being a BMW product, it would probably come with a matching BMW price tag.........anyone else agree? Or should I

You sir are spot on.

I think its a hideous beast and being the Mini fan that i am, it completely goes against what the Mini was.

Still, its Prodrive, a British entry in the WRC which, obviously, seriously needs a boost and with a British driver, i hope they do well =)

Will be interesting to say the least.

[chevronb37]

Spent an enjoyable morning at Prodrive yesterday and saw the Minis being prepared. We also saw all the Monte winning cars at Gaydon. The cars which form the basis of the WRC machines are built in Oxford, Prodrive prepare them and we have a British driver on board too - this can only be good news, surely?

[ppopsie]

I have to take exception to "There's been a great deal of excitement over Mini's return to WRC." That thing is not a Mini and it is nothing to do with a "return".
I ask you does it conk out in the wet? do the sills rot? does it have a bypass hose to split and leave you stranded in the Alps Maritime? will it capture the heart of the nation like real mini's do? No to all these.
However it will make WRC a whole lot more exciting, and let's face it come the day - we will cheer it on.

Edited by ppopsie on Friday 7th January 23:11

[egomeister]

chevronb37 said:

Spent an enjoyable morning at Prodrive yesterday and saw the Minis being prepared. We also saw all the Monte winning cars at Gaydon. The cars which form the basis of the WRC machines are built in Oxford, Prodrive prepare them and we have a British driver on board too - this can only be good news, surely?

The countryman is built by Magna Steyr in Austria, rather than at Cowley.

Will be very interesting to see how the Mini does this year. I think they have a pretty decent driver line up for a debut part-season.

[chevronb37]

egomeister said:

chevronb37 said:

Spent an enjoyable morning at Prodrive yesterday and saw the Minis being prepared. We also saw all the Monte winning cars at Gaydon. The cars which form the basis of the WRC machines are built in Oxford, Prodrive prepare them and we have a British driver on board too - this can only be good news, surely?

The countryman is built by Magna Steyr in Austria, rather than at Cowley.

Will be very interesting to see how the Mini does this year. I think they have a pretty decent driver line up for a debut part-season.

Must tick off the chaps at Prodrive for misinformation - you're correct.

[andygo]

There's a mini in the top ten in the Dakar rally. Looks horrid.

[MG CHRIS]

Good but its really is a x3 with a different body on its so not an actuall mini, at the least the bmw mini is not a bmw with a mini badge on it if that makes sense.