Prodrive press release
At Rally Portugal this month the Prodrive WRC Team will introduce more than 100 modifications to improve the performance of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC.
The enhancements are being homologated under the FIA regulations and will be available to fit to all MINI WRCs.
Prodrive has been running a development programme on the MINI WRC since October last year, using data it has gathered from running its own cars and a further dozen customer MINIs in championships across Europe and the Middle East.
A major focus has been development of the 1.6 litre turbo engine, with a result that the newly homologated engine has a three per cent increase in peak power. To achieve this, Prodrive has redesigned the induction system with a new restrictor and restrictor feed, while the engine cooling system has been made more efficient.
The only visual change to the MINI WRC is the front bumper, which has been remodelled using CFD to improve engine cooling and the car’s aerodynamic performance. The new front splitter design allows the car to run at lower ride heights on rough gravel surfaces, reducing airflow under the car and increasing front-end downforce.
Prodrive has worked with suspension partner, Ohlins, to improve the performance of its dampers on rough surfaces with the new units giving the car greater stability and traction while running on gravel. The team has also developed a heavy duty suspension package specifically for use on very rough events like Greece.
Through further modifications on the car including a new manufacturing process for the construction of the carbon fibre rear wing, Prodrive has managed to reduce the base weight of the MINI WRC by 10kg, which allows more ballast to be strategically placed to improve the balance of the car.
Prodrive WRC Team drivers, Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo, shared four days in southern Spain last week testing the new. The Prodrive WRC Team will next compete at Rally Portugal on 29 March – 1 April with Dani Sordo and Patrik Sandell.
At Rally Portugal this month the Prodrive WRC Team will introduce more than 100 modifications to improve the performance of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC.
The enhancements are being homologated under the FIA regulations and will be available to fit to all MINI WRCs.
Prodrive has been running a development programme on the MINI WRC since October last year, using data it has gathered from running its own cars and a further dozen customer MINIs in championships across Europe and the Middle East.
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| Dani Sordo driving the MINI WRC. (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |
A major focus has been development of the 1.6 litre turbo engine, with a result that the newly homologated engine has a three per cent increase in peak power. To achieve this, Prodrive has redesigned the induction system with a new restrictor and restrictor feed, while the engine cooling system has been made more efficient.
The only visual change to the MINI WRC is the front bumper, which has been remodelled using CFD to improve engine cooling and the car’s aerodynamic performance. The new front splitter design allows the car to run at lower ride heights on rough gravel surfaces, reducing airflow under the car and increasing front-end downforce.
Prodrive has worked with suspension partner, Ohlins, to improve the performance of its dampers on rough surfaces with the new units giving the car greater stability and traction while running on gravel. The team has also developed a heavy duty suspension package specifically for use on very rough events like Greece.
Through further modifications on the car including a new manufacturing process for the construction of the carbon fibre rear wing, Prodrive has managed to reduce the base weight of the MINI WRC by 10kg, which allows more ballast to be strategically placed to improve the balance of the car.
Prodrive WRC Team drivers, Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo, shared four days in southern Spain last week testing the new. The Prodrive WRC Team will next compete at Rally Portugal on 29 March – 1 April with Dani Sordo and Patrik Sandell.