The conclusion of the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique in the early hours of this morning gave MINI an opportunity to compare its old and new rally machines.
Flying Finn Rauno Aaltonen and co-driver Helmut Artacker had just arrived in Monaco in their 1960s Mini Cooper S, having completed just over 2,500 miles from their starting point in Marrakech, when they were greeted by current MINI World Rally Championship drivers Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke with their new MINI WRC. Aaltonen, now 73, won the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S, and insisted to his younger successors, "I am not tired at all. This Mini had modern shock absorbers and it was so comfortable, in the old days a Mini in rallying form was rather uncomfortable. It has taken a long time to get here, we were fighting really hard and it was a great atmosphere."
Joining Sordo and Meeke in greeting Aaltonen was fellow rally legend Paddy Hopkirk. "It is very interesting to be here and I was delighted to see Rauno looking so well and the car looking so good", said the Ulsterman, who drove the Mini Cooper S to victory in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. However, Hopkirk is also looking forward to MINI's return to rallying in the hands of Sordo and Meeke in 2011. "I do admire the talents of these guys", said Hopkirk, "Kris took me around the Prodrive test track in the MINI WRC and it was absolutely fantastic."
Sordo, Meeke, and their new MINI WRC rally car, called in on the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique on their way to further testing in Spain ahead of its World Rally Championship debut later in the season. "It is great for Dani and me to be competing for MINI and taking up that legendary spirit", said Meeke, "Everyone is really excited."
Sordo was also optimistic that the Prodrive-developed MINI WRC, a 1.6-litre turbo powered machine based on the MINI Countryman, will be a worthy successor to Aaltonen and Hopkirk's 60s steeds. "Honestly the feel of the car was really good", assured Sordo, "Our MINI is new to rallying but in Prodrive we have a lot of experience and they have achieved many things in the sport."
MINI are undertaking a selected programme of World Rally Championship events in 2011, with a full assault on the championship to follow in 2012.
Related used car searches
Search used Mini
