Sordo clinches Mini WRC dealposted in WRC05 | 01 | 2011

RALLYSCOTLAND FAVOURITE Kris Meeke will be joined by Dani Sordo in the Mini World Rally Championship team after the 27-year-old Spaniard signed a new deal today.

Both drivers will contest at least six WRC events this season in the car prepared by Banbury-based Prodrive, the team which took Colin McRae to WRC glory with Subaru in 1995.

"There has been a great deal of excitement surrounding Mini's return to the WRC, so to be part of this new team is a fantastic opportunity for me," Sordo said. "I'm sure Mini has a big future in the sport. I'm looking forward to working with Kris Meeke, having completed a very successful test with him in Sardinia last November." It was a view backed by Prodrive boss David Richards.

"Dani may only be 27, but he is already one of the most experienced drivers in the WRC and has been competing at the very highest level for the last five years," Richards explained.

"I believe with the new Mini WRC and in the right environment, he can now take the next step and add to his 29 podiums with victories on WRC events and become a challenger for a WRC title."

Irishman Meeke, whose early career was developed by McRae, won the 2009 IRC championship and dominated the inaugural RallyScotland before his Peugeot was disqualified for a minor technical infringement.

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Jim McGill