Kris Meeke to Race Limited WRC Events in 2012
In a shock to both MINI WRC fans and Kris Meeke alike, MINI has decided not to run both of its team drivers in every race this coming 2012 season. Starting with Meeke’s absence from the season opener, the Monte Carlo Rally. Meeke’s seat in the second MINI team car will be filled by a local driver. With his multiple podium finishes last year, Dani Sordo will race every event this year. Meeke will continue to test cars when he is not racing competitively. As for Monte Carlo, sources at MINI and Prodrive are saying that if there were funds to enter a third car Meeke would be the one behind the wheel.
Meeke is an IRC champion and highly competitive driver who is still under contract with BMW through 2013, so it is doubtful that BMW MOTORSPORT is finished with him. A speculative possibility for the decision to bench Meeke for the Monte Carlo race and go with a driver with local experience is MINI wanting to find any advantage they can to win during re-entry into the rally event that put them on the map all those years ago. Apparently they think that Sardo and a local driver give them the best chance to bring home the checkered flag. BMW and Prodrive are keeping the true reason close to the vest at this time, all we know is that we’ll be seeing less of the Northern Irishman’s driving this year . We’re a bit disappointed to hear that as he has shown promise and has worked hard but if MINI takes home some wins because of this move it will be easier to swallow.
You can find more detail over at AutoSport.com
In positive news, however, this would point to MINI actually competing in 2012. Given their failure to file their paperwork in time, this was a bit up in the air.
<p>They better win some rallies dam it cause to me Kris has the most potential especially on gravel to take it to the rest!</p>
<p>There’s a typo with “Sordo”, not “Sardo [sic]”. Budget sourced?! Can’t be as expensive as F1! And by cutting Meeke out, he will not have the seat experience for Monte Carlo in 2013. Bah! Truly short term thinking by the executive team imo.</p>
<p>Lets hope that is true about the season, to me it sounds like more that they reached a deal with Prodrive/MINI to race limited events and not qualify for the championship this year. Meeke’s limited time in the Prodrive car is likely related to this. At least that is how this reads to me.</p>
<p>what would be the logic here? another season of sorting the car, gaining experience, instead of attempting to contend? I don’t get it – please explain</p>
<p>Only was saying that Kris Meeke is a serious contender for the championship. With the recent news of Prodrive/MINI missing the filing date to enter the 2012 season and working with the FIA to get into it I could see them allowing Prodrive to enter though not allowing them to pursue the championship due to the missed entry. With Meeke being at the top of the heap for a strong run I could see him moving to another platform in order to make a run. Not saying that any of this is true, I just think that there is much more going on with all the recent news about Prodrive/MINI from missed dates, prime driver leaving, and news of some contention between Prodrive and MINI. </p>
<p>This is mind boggling at best. I’d love to hear an actual explanation, but to me it just sounds like internal politics and short-sighted thinking.</p>
<p>What a shower of wankers!!!!!!!! Just goes to prove there’sno Brains at bmw/mini and no Balls at Prodrive !!!!!!!!!!!</p>