Subaru Pulls out of WRC

[scientist]

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 16th 2008, 09:28 GMT


Subaru have made a shock announcement that they are to pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.

Just 24 hours after Suzuki said they were quitting the series, Subaru have cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why they will also not continue.

David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.

"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.

"The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive's history, our focus now turns to the future."

Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.

A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.

"Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success," said the statement.

Subaru have struggled to find form with their Impreza in recent years. Their last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. Their last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.

The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.

The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.

The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.

Autosport

[TheGoodGuy]

[scientist]

BOYAH!

[damien]

BOYAH!

[Evo-Man]

Spend wisely

[SF5]

they also want to make wrc cars all fwd ... so subaru has reason to pull out.

[scientist]

they also want to make wrc cars all fwd ... so subaru has reason to pull out.

Not true

They were considering Non turbos. JWRC and other classes will always stay FWD dominated

[SF5]

I read an article on that on autospeed I believe.

Several options are on the table concerning the regulations, with recent rumours indicating tha the FIA is looking into Super 2000 specs. The nature of the future WRC cars might therefore be heading in the same direction as those contesting the Intercontinental Rally Championship, most notably in regards to the adoption of turbocompressed engines.

Other sources linked to the FIA have hinted that the 2010 season might be the last to front four-wheel drives before a return to two-wheel-drive-only rules. That would be more than a change of regulation: it would mark a revolution in the World Rally Championship's approach.

According to British magazine Autosport, FIA President Max Mosley seems quite receptive to the idea. A spokesperson went so far as saying that the scenario does constitute an option, with the purpose of the operation aiming at safer, slower, and cheaper cars while nonetheless offering spectacular performances

http://www.rally-live.com/wrc/en/headli ... 2605.shtml

[scientist]

Your article was since march of this year

New technical regulations are effective from 2011, while the WRC Car will be based on Group N and Super 2000 cars. A supplementary kit will be fitted that includes a turbo and rear wing additions. It cannot be permanent, and will be required to be removable within a set time period which will be confirmed later. Regulations of the World Rally Car that currently apply will remain so to include the year 2010 Championship and the new World Rally Car will compete from next year and score points from 2010.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080328.012 ... -from-2010

Grp N cars are what the old lancer evolution WRC cars used to be and what the Evo RS comes from factory intended to participate in. The new regulations also make it mandatory the manufacturer make quite a few road going versions of the car, which in essence brings back the old WRC days that spawned the legendary cars like with Escort RS turbo, Lancia Delta etc.