March 2, 2011
(BMW)
MINI unveiled the John Cooper Works S2000 – the latest milestone on the road to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) – at the Geneva Motor Show this week. This is the production basis for the Prodrive-prepared MINI John Cooper Works WRC, which MINI WRC Team drivers Dani Sordo (ES) and Kris Meeke (GB) will debut in Rally Italy May 5-8, 2011. The team will also contest WRC events in Finland, Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain. Key differences distinguish the WRC car from its Super2000 sibling. The factory Prodrive-prepared MINI John Cooper Works WRC gets a larger rear wing and a specific aero package on the front end for greater aerodynamic efficiency. On asphalt rallies the WRC machine will be fitted with water-cooled brakes on the front axle, while the side windows of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC will be made from ultra-lightweight plastic. The car is powered by the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine used in standard MINI production cars, but it is tweaked by BMW Motorsport.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD
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