Mini Prepping Countryman for Dakar Rally in January

MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
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is prepping again for the 2013 Dakar Rally on January 5, 2013, that will cover over 8,000km through Peru, Argentina and Chile. Like last year, they will be competing with two of MINI ALL4 Racing's highly modified CountrymanMINI (BMW) Countryman Gen.1 [R60]Germany, 2010 > present54 versions
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rally cars. It is also offering a special body kit for the production Countryman.

Last year, ten-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret took an overall victory for the team. All of Mini's cars finished in the top 10. 

The team appears prepared to win Dakar again. The Mini ALL4 Racing team won the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies with drivers Khalifa Al Mutaiwei and Andreas Schulz.

To celebrate such a winning car, Mini is offering a special body kit on the standard Countryman that adds a front and rear apron and side skirts. Mini is also offering 18in wheels, front and rear mud flaps, auxiliary fog lights, all-weather floor mats and PVC load compartment protector. The kit is available on any Countryman except for the John Cooper Works.