Six outings in the recently completed 2011 FIA Globe Rally Title (WRC) were enough to convince AUTOSPORT readers of the class possessed by the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. The majority were agreed: no machine proved itself more at the highest level of rallying in 2011 than that of Dani Sordo, Kris Meeke and the MINI WRC Team.

Over yard guests at London's Grosvenor Business firm Hotel for the motorsport equivalent of the Oscars saw double World Champion Carlos Sainz nowadays the coveted prize to Dr. Kay Segler, head of MINI Brand Management, and MINI WRC Team Master David Richards. This is the first time the championship has been awarded to any manufacturer other than Citroen since 2007.

MINI WRC Frankreich 2011 Tag 3 122 655x439

"Wherever MINI has competed this twelvemonth, it has seemed like all the fans accept been cheering united states on," said Dr. Segler. "It is, therefore, fitting that it is the fans and readers of AUTOSPORT that have voted the MINI WRC every bit the Rally Car of the Year."

David Richards: "This laurels caps what has been a truly memorable debut year for MINI in the World Rally Title. This award is a attestation to the dedication of the whole squad backside the projection in Banbury and the delivery of BMW and MINI who have fully supported the programme."

Post-obit the huge success enjoyed on the international rally scene in the 1960s, the MINI brand celebrated its return to the Earth Rally Championship at this year'due south Rally Italy. Dani Sordo twice steered the number 37 MINI John Cooper Works WRC to a podium finish. The MINI WRC Team also won seven special stages.

As well every bit the 2 MINI works cars, upwards to iv private MINI cars were also in action in the 2011 WRC. Past the finish of 2011, 15 MINI WRC cars will have been delivered to customers and in 2012 information technology'south anticipated that there volition be every bit many as 80 car starts for customer teams in the WRC.

[Source: MINI ]