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As we indicated last week, the BMW Group/MINI has confirmed that Prodrive's involvement with the MINI World Rally programme has been reduced to the status of a Portugal works-supported private team.



In a press release, MINI said it will complete the homologation for the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. The WRC Team MINI Portugal - consisting of Armindo Araújo and his co-driver Miguel Ramalho, as well as Brazilians Paulo Nobre and co-driver Edu Paula - will contest the remaining 12 events of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship.



The cooperation with Prodrive will be put on a new basis. The British company will remain responsible for the construction and support of MINI John Cooper Works WRC customer vehicles, and will continue to work with the BMW Group on the further development of the car.



The WRC Team, run by Prodrive, will from now on start as a works-supported private team.



“I am delighted that the future of MINI in the WRC has been secured on a long-term basis,” said Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President MINI Business Coordination and Brand Management.



“We remain convinced that the sport of rallying is perfectly suited to our brand. Prodrive has played a major role in the remarkable sporting success we have achieved on our initial outings with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. On behalf of MINI Motorsport, I would like to thank everyone at Prodrive for their efforts so far and we look forward to working with them in support of our MINI John Cooper Works WRC customers in the future,” Segler added.

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Rally: Prodrive loses MINI WRC programme was originally published by AUTO123.COM - RSS. Read the full story by clicking here.