Although the 2010 racing season has barely reached its halfway point, we are already getting some very interesting previews for next year. The biggest news is the official confirmation, after months of rumors, that MINI will return to the World Rally Championship. The British BMW subsidiary have chosen Prodrive as the technical partner. The development work on the Countryman WRC started early in 2009, which was very shortly after Prodrive's previous partner, Subaru, had announced its withdrawal from the sport. Like the production Countryman, the new 'Super2000' rally car will be powered by a 1.6 litre, turbocharged engine and features an all-wheel drive system. Exact technical details have not yet been released. The first test drives are planned for this autumn ahead of a works WRC entry in 2011. The car will also become available to privateers.
Lola Cars have also provided a preview of what is to come in 2011 for the LMP2 class of endurance racing. Extensive rule changes will be carried through, which include a cost cap in LMP2 and the addition of a mandatory fin on the rear deck of all prototypes. As one of the most successful independent prototype manufacturers, it is no surprise that Lola have reacted quickly to the changes and are the very first to offer 2011-spec LMP2 cars. The new line-up consists of the B11/40 open and B11/80 closed sports prototypes. There is a clear family resemblance but the 'B11s' will be very easy to distinguish from its predecessors because of the fin. The two new Lolas will be able to accommodate a wide variety of engines, from the likes of HPD, BMW, Ford, Judd, Nissan and Toyota. We have no doubt that the two LMP2 machines will be prominently featured on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011.

Enjoy the links:

2011 Lola B11/80 - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Lola B11/40 - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 MINI Countryman WRC - Images, Specifications and Information