Currently reading: Prodrive's Toyota WRC link
Subaru WRC preparations experts linked to Toyota project

Prodrive has been linked to a World Rally Championship entry with Toyota in 2011.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Prodrive has been commissioned to undertake a WRC study on behalf of Toyota, ahead of regulations changes in 2011.

The reports suggest an unnamed Toyota Motorsport official has confirmed the plans, saying: "We want to be prepared if and when we get a call from Japan to go and compete."

Prodrive has long been linked to running a Mini Countryman in the WRC from 2010, but rumours persist that parent company BMW is not willing to fully fund the programme.

However, Prodrive's mooted work with Toyota may not preclude it running the Mini.

A spokesman refused to comment on the Toyota report, but confirmed: "I cannot go into specifics, but we will be back in the championship next year with a manufacturer."

Meanwhile, Prodrive boss David Richards has ruled out entering F1 next season.

"I wasn't prepared to risk everyone's livelihoods," Richards told the Independent newspaper. "It was quite interesting to watch the reaction of everybody when I told them.

"The biggest fear people at Prodrive had is that we were going to risk everything on one throw of the dice by entering F1."

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Symanski 21 June 2010

Re: Prodrive's Toyota WRC link

Richards was right not to gamble on F1. It's still an expensive sport to enter, and the new teams show how difficult it is (although I think they've done a terrific job so far).

WRC needs more exposure on mainstream TV. Just as BTCC it's best years are memories.

(I do want to see them back - Dave has excellent coverage but we need more on the BBC!)