The
Belfast Telegraph indicates rally fans are descending on the MINI WRC Team angered over Kris Meeke's release from the racing team. Meeke will continue to be a team member but will be limited to vehicle testing not racing for the remainder of his two contract. The article asserts,
Much of the anger is directed at Mini and its parent company BMW who are being accused of not being fully behind the rally project even though the WRC Countryman was impressive in its six-round debut season and was voted Rally Car of the Year.
In an article headed "Bad for Meeke but BMW will suffer too", Autocar's Steve Cropley wrote: "While the promising Mini WRC team struggles to keep its head above water, BMW is spending an estimated 20 times more on a programme in the German DTM touring car series which, even if successful against Audi and Mercedes, will have zero impact on the brand's value or strength outside German borders.
"The fact that a promising international competition effort looks like being allowed to wither in favour of DTM - along with BMW's former F1 involvement and its international saloon racing programmes - shows just how parochial the company's top management is inclined to be."
It is no secret that the Mini project has been badly under-funded from the start and was heavily reliant on securing a major sponsor.
