Inside The Mini Countryman WRC [SPECS]
By Chris Escamilla, Photography courtesy of BMW

Taking on Citroen and Ford’s World Rally Championship programs in 2011 is another brand with rallying history, Mini. With the 1960s Monte Carlo Cooper still plastered over garage walls the world over, Mini is entering with the modern MINI WRC.
Based on the production Mini Countryman, the MINI WRC is a 1.6-liter turbocharged, all-wheel drive rally car. At first glance, the racecar looks like nothing more than a slightly widened Mini Countryman with more coolers up front. Compared to Ford’s super-aggreso Fiesta RS WRC, the MINI WRC looks high, narrow, and close to stock. Not much of an inspiration for WRC rallying fans anywhere. Fear not, this car is still in testing form. In full WRC trim, the Mini will have more than enough flares, vents, scoops, and low-slung bodywork to look the part.
Underneath the test car’s skin lies the touch BMW Motorsport and Prodrive. With success in F1, WRC, Le Mans, and ALMS (to name a few), Prodrive is one of the most famous racing prep and engineering houses on Earth. Their Subaru WRC program, Aston Martin Le Mans program, and Honda-powered F1 team pretty much became iconic efforts for their respective brands. The reason was simple; Prodrive put in really good work and finished where it counted.
With Mini, they hope to do the same. The MINI WRC is powered by a special BMW Motorsport-built 1.6-liter Garrett turbocharged (2.5-bar maximum boost) engine. Mini Countryman models come with an option for all-wheel drive but the production system has been dumped in favor of a Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission and new all-wheel drive setup. The body remains fairly close to stock (for a WRC car), although Prodrive themselves fit each with a FIA roll cage. Prodrive is also responsible for the custom valving, specs, and setup of each Ohlins 3-way damper setup.
Mini’s driver line-up for 2011 consists of Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge champions, and Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio. Sordo has been Loeb’s teammate and a Citroen factory driver for a few years now. The MINI WRC is currently undergoing testing and isn’t to be officially debuted in competition trim until the launch at the Oxford Mini factory on April 13, 2011.
MINI WRC: Technical specifications.
Dimensions: Length: 4,110 mm, Width: 1,820 mm, Weight: 1,200 kg (FIA minimum weight)
Engine: 1,600 cc, four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine, Garrett turbocharger – maximum boost 2.5 bar, Dry sump
Transmission: Permanent four wheel drive, Gearbox: Xtrac 6-speed sequential, AP Racing sintered twin plate clutch, Plated limited slip (front and rear axle)
Steering: Hydraulic power assisted
Chassis: MINI Countryman bodyshell with Prodrive roll cage exceeding FIA regulations
Suspension: Prodrive Öhlins Macpherson strut, 3 way adjustable damper (front and rear axle)
Wheels/Tires: ATS wheels and Michelin tires, Gravel: 15” diameter, Tarmac: 18” diameter
Brakes: AP Racing – Gravel: four piston, 300 mm (front and rear axle), Tarmac: four piston, 355 mm (front and rear axle), Castrol brake fluid (SFX)
Lubricants and coolants: Castrol
Seats: Sparco race seats and safety belt system

From Mini:
The MINI WRC has been developed by Prodrive, based on the MINI Countryman. It is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo engine derived from the MINI production models, which was developed by BMW Motorsport for use in series run according to FIA Super2000 regulations, including the World Touring Car Championship. As well as its works involvement with the MINI WRC Team, Prodrive is supplying the customer car to private rally teams, who will also run the car in the S2000 class of the World Rally Championship.
“The FIA World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of rallying, making it the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of our brand,” says Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW Group. “Experience is a very important factor in motorsport. For that reason it is essential we learn as much as possible within a very short time, in order to make up ground on our rivals. The new regulations mean the gap to the top is smaller than it would have been at another time. We want to annoy the opposition as soon as possible.”
The MINI WRC Team will be putting its faith in experienced drivers when it faces up to the challenge of the WRC for the first time in 2011. Kris Meeke (GB) and his co-driver Paul Nagle (IR) have proven their ability in impressive style, listing the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) title as just one of their achievements. Daniel “Dani” Sordo (ES), who will compete alongside his new co-driver Carlos del Barrio (ES) in 2011, has many years of World Championship experience. Twenty nine podium finishes from 84 starts in the WRC just go to show the former Citroën works driver has what it takes to battle it out at the top.
Rallying is far from new territory for MINI. In the past, success in this popular motorsport discipline has played a crucial role in defining the brand’s image. Three victories at the Rally Monte Carlo in the 1960s made the MINI Cooper S a true legend.
The latest phase of developments for the MINI WRC are currently undergoing an intensive testing programme. The car to be used in the 2011 World Rally Championship will be presented at the official Team Launch on 13th April 2011 at the MINI Plant Oxford.
Prodrive, an experienced motorsport operation, was chosen as the partner in the quest to continue the brand’s success story. The company, founded by David Richards, is viewed as one of the most respected and successful in rallying. “This project is a truly passionate
opportunity,” believes Richards. “MINI is a cult brand which left a lasting impression during its previous motorsport campaigns. We are both extremely happy and proud to be on board as a partner when MINI returns to rallying. We aim to use 2011 as a preparatory year, amassing experience in order to ensure we are fully competitive from the start of the following season.
But let’s not underestimate the task ahead of us nor the stiff competition we will face on the way. However, our target is firmly set on winning the World Championship title again with MINI.”
Prodrive was founded in 1984, and has established itself as one of motorsport’s leading
independent teams. Currently employing about 500 staff, the company is based in Banbury (GB). Among other successes, Prodrive has to date won six World Rally Championships, five British Touring Car titles, and scored three class victories in France’s classic Le Mans 24 Hours.
“MINI powered by BMW Motorsport”: The heart of the MINI WRC is the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Di turbo engine, which is also available in the MINI production models. The production engine was further developed by BMW Motorsport for the use in various categories according to FIA Super2000 regulations. The power transmission takes place via an Xtrac 6-speed, sequential gearbox. For its outings on the rally stages, the MINI Countryman chassis has been fitted with a roll cage developed by Prodrive, which exceeds the strict safety requirements of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).




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