Rally – MINI Showing Positive Progress

The Prodrive/MINI project seems to be coming along just fine. The MINI Clubman WRC has undergone its first serious gravel test and is looking to step up to a more intensive program.

After last weeks test that saw the likes of Kris Meeke, Marcus Gronholm and Markko Martin driving the car on gravel, the team has indicated their intention to test the car once a month up until Christmas. The team was clear that the level of technical changes and situations would be limited but they would run the car more aggressively.

In other MINI news, Marcus Gronholm is now set to make his WRC future decision this week. The two time champion may return as a full championship contender or may only return in a developmental role. Regardless, Marcus has said it is not about money but the pure love of the sport. Gronholm was full of praise on the new machine and said he saw potential in the young challenger. Whether that is enough to sway him back to full time driving or not is yet to be seen.

This just continues the MINI musical chair game as we are looking at P-G Andersson, Mads Ostberg, Kris Meeke, and now potentially Marcus Gronholm all with chances to compete in the MINI S2000T. What may end up happening is two of the drivers piloting the standard S2000 in competition and the others driving the WRC level machine. Or another situation may see three S2000T cars on stage as MINI will not be eligible for championship points if they miss the first four rounds, that will allow the team to run as many WRC level cars as they choose which will help development for the next championship.

Keep it here as we continue to unravel the MINI situation as details become available.

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