Prodrive target 2011 WRC return

Prodrive could return to the World Rally Championship as early as 2011 after boss David Richards stated that he is in negotiations with three manufacturers about a possible comeback, according to British weekly Motorsport News.

“We looked at the regulations carefully and realised that 60 or 70 per cent of the car is generic so we put that to our team to design what they believed to be the ultimate car to the new regulations,” Richards told MN.

“Clearly some of the regulations weren't known until recently, including the 1.6 litre turbo, but most of it we knew. We looked at it very carefully, from a practicality, cost and serviceability point of view. We took all the knowledge we've had over the last 25 years in the world championship and put it all together.

“We put the design team to work and they've been at it now for six months. They tell me they're 50 per cent into the design now.

“I would have hoped by the latter part of this year we would have announced what are intentions are. We can have our car testing by May of next year and have homologation ready as soon as the new rules apply.”

Richards wouldn't confirm who the manufacturers are that he is having discussions with.

Source: RallyBuzz

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