Dani Sordo Joins Meeke At Mini WRC
Prodrive and Mini reveal former Citroen driver is heading for Banbury
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.
Surely it should read ". . . ex-Citroen driver Dani Sordo will join Brit Kris Meeke in 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 . . "
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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