Mini confirm Meeke's WRC seatposted in RSCOT01 | 10 | 2010

COLIN McRAE protege Kris Meeke, and the man who dominated last year's RallyScotland, has been confirmed as part of the driver line-up for Mini's World Rally Championship team.

The car, which will break cover nenxt season, will be run by Banbury-based motorsport preparation firm Prodrive, the operation which steered McRae to his world crown in 1995 with Subaru.

"The response to our announcement that Mini will return to the world of rallying next year was very positive," Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member responsible for sales and marketing, said. "The FIA World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of rallying, making it the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of our brand.

"The development of the car is running on schedule and the preparations for the world championship are in full swing. The Mini Countryman production model provided the ideal basis for our new world championship challenger." And Prodrive boss Dave Richards believe the opportunity to develop the Mini project was too good to turn down.

"This project is a truly passionate opportunity," Richards said. "Mini is a cult brand which left a lasting impression during its previous motorsport campaigns. We are both extremely happy and proud to be on board as a partner when Mini returns to rallying.

"We aim to use 2011 as a preparatory year, amassing experience in order to ensure we are fully competitive from the start of the following season. But let's not underestimate the task ahead of us, nor the stiff competition we will face on the way. However, our target is firmly set on winning the world championship title again with Mini."