Mini to return to WRC

July 28, 2010

Mini will compete in selected rounds of the 2011 World Rally Championship, marking the return of one of the sports most famous competitors.

Owner BMW confirmed Mini will compete in selected rounds next year, and take part in the full series the following year.

The driver line-up is yet to be confirmed but the car will be available to to customer teams this Autumn.

Developer of the Mini Countryman WRC, Prodrive’s Dave Richards, said: “This is a very exciting new motor sport programme. During the 1960s, Mini captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8-powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motor sport events , the 4,000km Monte Carlo Rally.

“I believe our new Mini will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world.”