MINI says racing version of Countryman in the works
Mini will race again
Mini will race again. Yes, it's true. The automaker verified recently that the Mini will compete with a racing version of the Countryman in some rounds of the World Rally Championship next year and in the entire event in 2012. Boston 2010 MINI buyers can follow along.The Mini racecar will be designed and built by Prodrive, a British motor sports company. They have actually been working on the project since 2009. Prodrive Chairman David Richards said, "During the 1960s Mini captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of the V8-powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4,000 km Monte Carlo rally."
Anyone picturing Herbie racing along the French Riviera about now? Anyone? (Yes, some of you are too young for that reference. Herbie was the VW Beetle in the Disney movies. He raced. In Monte Carlo. Then he went bananas.)
I'm pretty sure Herbie didn't race the Mini Cooper S of the 60s, though, because it won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Boston MINI Cooper Hardtop dealers love the tradition this model in built on.
The driver of the 1964 winning Mini, Paddy Hopkirk, said, "It was simply an astonishing car. The only thing was that it couldn't really keep up with the more powerful cars on the straights or uphill. But downhill, nothing was quicker. It was David and Goliath."
Will the Mini Countryman be able to keep up on the straightaway? I guess we'll all find out next year. In the meantime, the Countryman will be available at Boston 2010 MINI dealers early in 2011. Although we don't yet have specifics, cars in this class are restricted to about 300 horsepower and this car will compete with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The new rally car will be tested very soon according to parent company BMW. The company also says they already have a good number of order for the new Countryman and that they are committed to this series for the next several years.
With the popularity of the current Mini models, the Countryman is sure to be a hit. Every guy's fantasy is to own a race car, right? But you should probably get your order in now or you may be waiting for your new Mini or waiting for next year's model.
Ian Robertson, part of BMW's management board, said, "I am delighted Mini will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit as made a vital contribution to the image of the brand."
Apparently, that won't change. Any brand associated with racing is going to be desirable to the public. Boston MINI Cooper Hardtop buyers will likely flock to the new Countryman. Besides, it has a patriotic name and we could use some of that about now.
MINI says racing version of Countryman in the works
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