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Huge storm batters South West

A MAJOR storm has battered southern parts of the UK, with winds of almost 100mph causing flooding and major travel disruption. The Met Office said wind reached more than 99mph on the Isle of Wight at 5am and the Environment Agency has issued 14 flood warnings for the South West, as well as 146 flood alerts for the rest of England and Wales. Both Severn bridges are closed, the A249 Sheppey Crossing in Kent is closed due to strong winds and there are 30mph speed limits on the Dartford Crossing in Kent There are also widespread reports of local roads in Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex blocked or closed due to fallen trees and flash flooding.

Mini to return to the WRC in 2011 with 4x4

Mini is back in rallying, more than 50 years after it ruled the roost at Monte Carlo and beyond, giving a huge shot in the arm to the World Rally Championship. In typically audacious style BMW has announced it will campaign the Countryman SUV rather than the standard Mini, starting with selected WRC rounds in 2011 followed by the entire 2012 season.It’s also a return to WRC for Banbury-based Prodrive, the outfit behind Subaru’s legendary WRC success, who will develop the car and run the team. Prodrive last campaigned in the 2008 season, and have been developing the Countryman since early 2009.

Formula One: PR strikes at Austin City Hall

Free Formula One gear is good, right? That’s what those in charge of F1 public relations seem to think ahead of the Austin City Council’s vote on the Austin Grand Prix racetrack project on Thursday. Formula One baseball caps, water bottles and bumper stickers were handed out at the Austin City Hall as part of a public-relations campaign, according to KUT News.