Downsizing was a one off

Saturday 18th December 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Andy Priaulx gets behind the wheel of the new MINI rally car this week.(1069761

ANDY PRIAULX swapped his racing BMW for a rally car when he drove the MINI WRC that will have its debut in the 2011 World Rally Championship.

The triple world champion was delighted when he was offered the opportunity by David Richards, whose company Prodrive has developed the MINI Countryman production model into a rally version and, in a partnership with MINI, will be competing in a limited programme in the WRC in 2011.

“I had a bit of fun,’ said the Guernseyman.

‘It was great as Kris Meeke was there so he was able to show me the ropes, and then was brave enough to sit beside me while I drove the car’