The WRC seems to be attracting the attention of manufacturers looking to participate in motorsport. The return of Mini is almost finalised as the team has confirmed that it will play a minor role in 2011 before entering the 2012 season as a fully fledged outfit.

Next on the list is Saab, the manufacturer which up till a few months ago had no foreseeable future. Dutch company Spyker picked them up and now they are touted as the next team to enter into the WRC for the 2012 season. Suspicions are that they will run either a 9-1 or 9-2 derived car equipped with the Mini 1-6-litre turbo mill.

Finally if all is to be believed we are also going to see Volkswagen in the mix in 2012, the firm plans an initial limited participation in 2012 before a full assault on the 2013 season.

The WRC's future looks as bright as it did a few years back when the likes of Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Subaru all had factory outfits, the two make series of Ford and Citroen may actually have to work a little harder once the new manufacturers enter the fray.