MINI will exit the WRC Championships at the end of the season

MINI's departure from the WRC series after only one and a half seasons comes from a 'very difficult commercial environment'. With the ongoing economic crisis, MINI would like to refrain from international motorsports and focus on close relations with it's customers instead.

Senior Vice President MINI Business Coordination and Brand Management, Dr. Kay Segler, commented how by the end of the season, Team MINI Portugal will have competed in every rally in 2012.

Thus - according to FIA regulations, the MINI JCW can achieve a homologation status. He also thanked Prodrive, WRC Team MINI Portugal and other partners for the cooperation besides wishing all drivers, teams and customers a successful future in the sport.

With homologation, we understand that the MINI JCW can still continue rallying with customer teams while BMW Motorsport together with Prodrive will continue with developments to the 1.6-litre turbo powertrain. 

MINI made its rallying debut back in early 2011, and since then MINI drivers collected three podiums and many top-ten finishes. Back in January 2012 Dani Sordo finished second in Monte Carlo, the best finish for the team.