Historic British marque Mini returns to the World Rally Championship stage after a lengthy absence next month in Italy.

The Mini John Cooper Works WRC was unveiled in Oxford on Monday ahead of the constructor’s comeback in the Rally of Sardinia from May 5-8 where they will have two entries driven by Briton Kris Meeke and Spaniard Dani Sordo.

The pair are hoping to emulate Paddy Hopkirk, Timo Makinen and Rauno Aaltonen who cemented Mini’s place in rallying folklore with wins in the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

Mini’s 2011 edition is an aggressive version of its Countryman road model, with a 1600cc turbo-charged engine.

Mini will compete in six events this year before a full season in 2012.

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