Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship

16 December 2008
http://www.swrt.com/img_gallery/172735079.jpg
Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship

This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s withdrawal announced yesterday.

After 20 years in the sport, during which time the Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team has won six World Rally Championship titles, this is not only sad news for Subaru and the team, but also for millions of rallying fans around the world. Thanks to its highly successful World Rally Championship programme, Subaru has developed into one of the world’s most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.

Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s icons. 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.”

For many, Prodrive and Subaru are synonymous, given the long-standing and close association between the two companies. However, while the Subaru World Rally Team historically represented a significant part of Prodrive’s business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the company’s turnover.

Prodrive will look to redeploy as many of the rally team as possible in other areas of its business operations, which have grown to span advanced engineering and manufacturing for the automotive, defence, marine and aerospace industries, in addition to other motorsport programmes.

Despite the current economic downturn, Prodrive’s automotive engineering business remains buoyant as it works with vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the development of next generation fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel technologies.

Together with Subaru, Prodrive’s commitment to its customer rally teams will also continue unabated for 2009 and beyond. Over the past 15 years, Prodrive has sold close to 500 rally cars to more than 400 private competitors and independent rally teams in 47 countries. During this time, Prodrive’s customers have won five consecutive Production World Rally Championships and countless international rallies. In 2008, Prodrive-supported customer teams have claimed eight rally championship titles around the world.

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.

http://www.swrt.com/news/latest_news.html?id=1590

:eek:

Actually, this really doesn't come as too much of a surprise to me. Subaru hasn't been doing that well the past couple of years, and running a program like this couldn't have been cheap. I'm sure the heads at Subaru were looking to see if their ROI was worth it or not, and finally came to this decision.

I'm just curious now if either of their drivers will be picked up by one of the other teams.

Wow! Hopefully they will jump back into the rally racing scene in a few years.

yeah i hope they get back into it once the economy gets better.

dang that blows

wow that sucks

Does this possibly affect the development of new Sti's? I mean didn't they create the new hatch/wagon style to be more competetive in WRC and now they are pulling out?

Is this permanent or just an announcement for 2009? :sadbanana:

Is this permanent or just an announcement for 2009? :sadbanana:

Was wondering the same thing... hopefully just this year! :sadbanana:

This sucks.

:sadbanana::sadbanana: sux big time http://animepisodes.info/images/94e4451ad23909020c28b26ca3a13cb8.jpg

I'm contemplating autobiographical termination because of the sadness I feel.

This sucks.
+12345

This upsets me

:sadbanana:

That is really sad. I see the Subaru brand making many changes to "elevate" the brand above boy racer dream car. It seems they have done everything possible to move away from the car many of us want to drive/the reason we bought a Subaru in the first place. When the Sti first came to the US in 2004 we were wondering what would follow, the spec C, the s202, or s204. This obviously never happened and instead Subaru has been softening the Sti since it arrived, culminating in the pig that is the 08 Sti. I see Subaru turning into Toyota and it is very sad. This rant may be a little off topic but I just hope that the with drawl from WRC was only financially motivated and Subaru will be returning soon.

If this permanent it could get worst for subaru ?

wow...first honda is out in F1 and now this....this really sucks!

That is really sad. I see the Subaru brand making many changes to "elevate" the brand above boy racer dream car. It seems they have done everything possible to move away from the car many of us want to drive/the reason we bought a Subaru in the first place. When the Sti first came to the US in 2004 we were wondering what would follow, the spec C, the s202, or s204. This obviously never happened and instead Subaru has been softening the Sti since it arrived, culminating in the pig that is the 08 Sti. I see Subaru turning into Toyota and it is very sad. This rant may be a little off topic but I just hope that the with drawl from WRC was only financially motivated and Subaru will be returning soon.You have to appeal to the MASSES to make money. Subaru likely couldn't give less of a damn what you want or think, they have shareholders to please. :unamused:

Well The only reason I even drive a subaru is because of the WRC. There is no point for them to continue development of the WRX and STi since they no longer need it to be built for homologation. Also they lost my purchase of an 08-09 sti next year when this wrx is paid off. I see the end of the good imports. What happened to the Big 3 after they all quit building the factory race cars like the superbird, boss mustang, and the camaro in drag racing and trans am racing?

sucks!!! hate this news!!!

now they can officially name all the WRX to GT...

Well I wonder what WRC was expecting when they announced they were going to SPEC cars... I mean, the diversity of the vehicles was what made it so cool. Tell Subaru, sorry you cant run the impreza anymore... Oh yea, and your flat 4's gotta go too... They might as well have just kicked subaru out.

defiitely sad news, but I understand why they've had to do it. Hopefully when the economy turns around, they can join back in.

ouch, hate to see this but subaru has really been lagging behind in the wrc in the last couple of years. Hope the economy gets good enough for them to get back into the rally

Rally is why most of us got into Imprezas, Leggys and Fozzys. The steady decline in coverage and winnings has really hurt me on a personal level. I have hated having to read about or download clips of high powered sedans and hatches roaring through the woods. Subaru is Rally to me and always will be, I hope once the world market bounces back we will see subaru not only return to its "roots" but return with style, with a podium. This Michael Jordon way of leaving is just bad medicine I mean come on, finish on top, go out with a bang at least FHI. Subaru should have at least gave it one more year and a shot at #1, but that seems impossible with the new hot hatch sti (as much as it has grown on me...)

This makes me want to create some long live rally stickers or somethang

awh wow this bites!!!! :sadbanana:
well safe to say theres always next year!!! (hopefully):unamused:

the swrt is why i even knew subaru made anything but outbacks... the swrt is why i got into rally in the first place... why i spent endless hours playing mcrae rally and DiRT (heheh)... and WHY I OWN AN STI!!!!! i guess they have shareholders to please, and i'm sure this decision didn't come from the guys with grease and mud on their hands.

This blows big time.

That's sad news

Has anyone seen anything about the american end of the Rally Circuit? The news appears to only pertain to the European arena. If you have a link, post it.:confused:

Brilliant move, Subaru. Move away from the advertising model that actually made the Impreza a seller throughout most of the world, since obviously it didn't work. While I know it's very expensive to maintain a WRC car ($500k to build initially, another $2-3M to maintain that car and a fairly hefty salary for the drivers) wouldn't it make more sense to just move advertising money from other areas?

If Subaru is also backing out of regional rally, I think it's time to jump ship and buy a Citroen or a Peugot. Remember always, Subaru, that your best selling WRX color is World Rally Blue, not Street Racer Silver or Grocery Getter Green. Remove yourself from your roots and the plant dies, we are seeing the beginning of the end of Subaru.

PM Mitsubishi for details.

Well I wonder what WRC was expecting when they announced they were going to SPEC cars... I mean, the diversity of the vehicles was what made it so cool. Tell Subaru, sorry you cant run the impreza anymore... Oh yea, and your flat 4's gotta go too... They might as well have just kicked subaru out.

+1234

No surprise that only 2 manufactures are left in it now. Maybe we will see a new WRC-ish organization pick up the pieces that this current one left behind.

Ether way this is bad news.

Brilliant move, Subaru. Move away from the advertising model that actually made the Impreza a seller throughout most of the world, since obviously it didn't work. While I know it's very expensive to maintain a WRC car ($500k to build initially, another $2-3M to maintain that car and a fairly hefty salary for the drivers) wouldn't it make more sense to just move advertising money from other areas?

If Subaru is also backing out of regional rally, I think it's time to jump ship and buy a Citroen or a Peugot. Remember always, Subaru, that your best selling WRX color is World Rally Blue, not Street Racer Silver or Grocery Getter Green. Remove yourself from your roots and the plant dies, we are seeing the beginning of the end of Subaru.

PM Mitsubishi for details.


Sad but true, it may go the way of Toyota but thats no better. I sure am going to miss real Subarus

this sucks... like many have said the reason why i drive a suby is because of WRC

Oh my..

The world is coming to an end.

no kidding....now what makes subaru a subaru? then...

Well what a bummer!

Biggest thank you to WRC/FIA for basically banning the Flat 4 engine, what were they expecting a big kiss and a bunch of flowers from Subaru.

I would like to thank Speed Channel for putting the nail in the coffin of WRC in America. First they put it on at ridiculous times and never show any replays. Good job in giving it a fair shake.
But hay it's cool Barret Jackson auction starts up again for your viewing please, and maybe we can all enjoy another rerun episode of unique whips for the 30th or 40th time.

The Loeb factor. Lets face it Sebastien is pretty much unstoppable. I mean he has won every title since Petter won the last one for Subaru in 2003. The last manufactures title for Subaru was 1997!
Over his carreer Loeb has racked up 47 wins, Collin McRae and Tommi Makinen had like 25.

Oh well maybe Ford will come to there senses and survive by bringing cars to the US that we will buy like;

the Focus xr5 turbo
http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentS ... 852705861/

or the turbo Mondeo or Falcons.

The Taurus and the Fusion just need to fill there nitch in the rental car fleets and let the people purchase a car they will actually be proud of again.

:sadbanana:

:sadbanana:
I think you mean... This sucks
:sadbanana:
:(:(

I need to go and buy Prodrive parts asap before they all stop getting made!!

Also concerned about the future of the STI...because they are a small part of FHI and I could see them going next in this poor economy:(

Anyone who has been following the sport knew this was coming with the WRC moving to an S2000 based car (no not the Honda!). Now we just need to figure out how to get PWRC coverage here. Subaru will be dominate in the rally world outside of the WRC for a long time to come as long as they continue to produce things like the STi.

Loeb has also stated that he isn't interested in driving int he WRX with S2000 based cars also. I see that being the end of his reign. The good news is this opens up a huge opportunity for another sanctioning body to start up another "WRC-ish" series and do it right. Keep the cars closer to the production models to keep costs down and finally give us a world class rally in the US.

Well I wonder what WRC was expecting when they announced they were going to SPEC cars... I mean, the diversity of the vehicles was what made it so cool. Tell Subaru, sorry you cant run the impreza anymore... Oh yea, and your flat 4's gotta go too... They might as well have just kicked subaru out.



can you elaborate on this a little more?

:sadbanana:

This is a sad, sad day.

I think you mean... This sucks
:sadbanana:
:(:(
:sadbanana:
:(:(
yes, it sucks balls

OMG I cannot believe this. THis is something that none of us Subaru enthusiasts wanted to hear before the holidays. Crappy news. Hopefully something will work out in the end.
In the mean time, I guess we still have the subarus for rally of america. Maybe Peter will have to fly up here.

damn and i just bought a bunch of rally gear for gifts this xmas. u stink !!!!

FFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffff ck :unamused:

If they make the STi a sedan again everything will be all better :)

But this is really sad...hopefully its just for the 09 season....

I thought maybe for sure they would stay thru the 2009 season... SWRT is reason why I fell in love with Subaru and why I love rallying. Without them I would have never been introduced the Subaru world.

Well best of luck to all SWRT staff and drivers.

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/2007/Nyhetsbilder/solberg__Custom_.jpg

yeah i hope they get back into it once the economy gets better.

me too

A small part of me applauds Subaru for saying no we aren't buying into the "spec" racing crap. Another part of me is hurting to see a great car company give up there single most important and lucrative marketing strategy. Everyone knew Subaru as "that car that jumps on the gravel roads".

I am not looking forward to Subaru/ Toyota combined cars. There is a reason I buy Subaru's. It's because THEY AREN'T TOYOTA.

Kia, here I come.

they need to release fwd, diesel, hybrid and maybe electric. and i hope that u.s. would let them sell that here as well because economy stinks, i mean ford makes good cars for everyone except u.s. thats why they are going down. goverment needs to take some action fast because this isn't good news for them either.

Mitsubushi hasn't been in WRC for years, and they still have the EVO... I don't think we have anything to worry about, cars don't get built that fast... maybe this will open the doors for the Turbo Diesal when Subaru returns to rally... which would mean we would get the turbo diesel here in the states possibly?

Man I wish this was an April Fools joke....but its December :(

The main thing that got me interested in my '06 STi was watching WRC on SPEED channel.

This is a sad day for me .....

What are these guys gonna do?

http://blog.drivingsports.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/15/rj_thur_17.jpg

http://www.subiesport.com/images/2008/11/15/rj_wed2_01_5.jpg

well, as much as it pains me to say it, if subaru pulls out of rally, then doesnt that give them the opportunity to challenge other 'road' races? i mean one of the biggest appealing thing about my car i thought is that somehow, my car would be indestructable like the ones you see on rally, and i guess when i was buying the wrx, it led me to think, 'if they jump and flip this $hit every now and then and still drives, this car must be crazy reliable' kind of a thing.

but, how many people that arent car enthusiasts know about rally over F1 races or other form of 'road' racing? knowing how fast drifting is catching on, this may be just a smart move for subaru... i mean, how many of us actually drive on dirt or snow everyday? 90% of our driving is done on paved road and frankly i`d rather have subaru have the chance to research and hoan the cars that will be driven on paved road (think small width tires, long travel suspension, puny swaybars, etc exchanged for sharper road car).

now, if toyota says no racing for you subaru, then it will really really suck..

ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip (flaming suit on).

Chop top older vw bugs anyone? Flat engines for life!

/cry =(

I think a part of all of us has died today....:mad:

Subaru hasn't been doing well in recent years, not only in WRC but in general. '08 STI's are selling for several thousand under invoice. Most everyone who owns an Impreza and really loves it is not just happy but damn proud of its rally heritage. The Impreza is nothing without the WRC. You could say the same for the Legacy. Its a sad day.
For the record, the new rules for the upcoming season dictate a "spec" style of classing where all cars have an inline 4-cylinder engine. That quite obviously eliminates Subaru from the running and in this economy they are not going to develop a new engine.

What are these guys gonna do?

http://blog.drivingsports.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/15/rj_thur_17.jpg

http://www.subiesport.com/images/2008/11/15/rj_wed2_01_5.jpg

They are all going to go to PWRC races and local stuff. You guys act like Subaru is pulling out of ALL RALLY EVERYWHERE and that's not the case. Sure this sucks but it not the end of Subaru rally altogether, just the end of SWRT in the WRC.

The STi will be around for a long time to come. Subaru will be doing it's thing in everything but the WRC for years to come. Maybe now the rest of the wide world of rally will get some light shed upon it.

Subaru hasn't been doing well in recent years, not only in WRC but in general. '08 STI's are selling for several thousand under invoice.

Yeah, blame the economy. November was a tough month for everyone.


They are all going to go to PWRC races and local stuff. You guys act like Subaru is pulling out of ALL RALLY EVERYWHERE and that's not the case. Sure this sucks but it not the end of Subaru rally altogether, just the end of SWRT in the WRC.


Exactly. There hasn't been very good coverage (legally available) of the WRC for a while now.

It's so weird to me that they would pull out. Especially considering that Subaru really made their mark in the WRC and gained allot of street cred because of it. Maybe they should re-enter with the same body style from 05; the last time they won.

Maybe they should re-enter with the same body style from 05; the last time they won.

They can't with the new rules. That was a Flat 4 also. They were basically outlawed due to the engine layout. The new rules require an inline 4 and Subaru isn't going to develop a new motor/chassis/car just for that. I wouldn't do it either.

EVERYONE WATCH RALLY AMERICA NOW!

how the hell does ford afford to stay in it??

Ford is only having issues selling cars here...because they sell crap here.

So does this mean I have to take off my rally mudflaps too? :(

So does this mean I have to take off my rally mudflaps too? :(

NO! It means I have to peel off my WRC sticker and get a Rally America one though :(

NO! It means I have to peel off my WRC sticker and get a Rally America one though :(

Just add the Rally America one.
WRC for life!

do you think they will also pull out of all motorsports like the road racing team and rally america series.. this is very depressing

Ford is only having issues selling cars here...because they sell crap here.

well issues selling cars does sound like it could equal issues with the company making money (which is obvious now). but given that subaru is struggling to make money, youd think with ford's dilemna now they couldnt afford to stay in wrc as well

It's so weird to me that they would pull out. Especially considering that Subaru really made their mark in the WRC and gained allot of street cred because of it. Maybe they should re-enter with the same body style from 05; the last time they won.

Except they haven't won a driver's championship since '03.

It seems like we are reading too much into this. It doesn't make sense, imho, for Subaru to develop an inline-4 engine. Therefore, they should pull out of WRC.

I think the corporate direction of Subaru's future designs is a separate issue. Not that the assumptions in this thread are necessarily wrong, but I think the WRC move is a small part of that which may be moot at this point.

Just add the Rally America one.
WRC for life!

I won't advertise for a series that would out their most loyal fanbase with stupid rule changes like that.

do you think they will also pull out of all motorsports like the road racing team and rally america series.. this is very depressing

No. Subaru is to rally like dirt is to rally. The FIA did this more so than Subaru. inline 4's= no Subaru, 'nuff said

well issues selling cars does sound like it could equal issues with the company making money (which is obvious now). but given that subaru is struggling to make money, youd think with ford's dilemna now they couldnt afford to stay in wrc as well

Top level motorsports are an awesome advertising method. Most of us bought our cars with visions of sliding through the woods with our turbos burning and 4 wheels spitting dirt. If we didn't get that vision we would have ended up in Volvos :)

Figure it costs millions for a few seconds of advertising during the Superbowl or the same amount to build a WRC car. Which one do you think will get the most coverage to the people you want to sell to?

Honda pulls out of F1, Suby and Suzuki pull from WRC, WHAT THE HELL IS THE WORLD COMING TO!

Honda pulls out of F1, Suby and Suzuki pull from WRC, WHAT THE HELL IS THE WORLD COMING TO!

Both are sanctioned by the FIA. They hate Japan I guess.

I won't advertise for a series that would out their most loyal fanbase with stupid rule changes like that.



Good call. Didn't think of that.

Citroen and Ford can't be far behind.... I can't honestly see Ford surviving 2009 as a company. This whole bailout thing will barely pay their wages for the year, and you can bet people will be screaming for them to get out of motorsports the second they get a cent a US tax dollars.

WRC is about to become a Privateer's sport.....

Hey guys, I have been on the phone all morning with basically everyone in the Subaru rally world and we have lots of info on what is going on inside Subaru including an interview with FHI. I have spoken with Prodrive and SWRT and basically this was a shock to all involved. go to www.subiesport.com for the latest and www.drivingsports.com for the FHI interview.

Travis
Editor in Chief
Subiesport Magazine

I won't advertise for a series that would out their most loyal fanbase with stupid rule changes like that.





Agreed!!

*looks for PWRC logo*

Wow, half of the reason i love my subaru wrx so much is because when people say it is dirty i say, "its a rally car", but now they are pulling out and i feel like i cant say that any more, this definitely is sad news... i love rally racing and i think subarus are a sign for rally racing in my mind! :-(

God damn it... I can't express how pissed off I am right now.:diaf::furious::mad:


What manufacturers have historically left the wrc, and came back a few years later?

Hey guys, I have been on the phone all morning with basically everyone in the Subaru rally world and we have lots of info on what is going on inside Subaru including an interview with FHI. I have spoken with Prodrive and SWRT and basically this was a shock to all involved. go to www.subiesport.com for the latest and www.drivingsports.com for the FHI interview.

Travis
Editor in Chief
Subiesport Magazine

nice to see some people with connections getting the real dirt. You can tell they didn't want to start a mudslinging match with the press release.

Like I said, everyone better start getting out to the Rally America stuff or it might be next on the chopping block (no pun intended :) ). I could see being an opportunity for the smaller series to pull in displaced fans.

I find it hard to be mad at Subaru for this in anyway. It's not their fault the FIA is ghey.

well they went to hatch version for WRC, maybe now STi will be a sedan again :)

what the deuce! depressing :sadbanana:

NOOOOOO..............NOOoOOOOOOOOOOO

I hope they come back 2010 and ESPN shows the wrc....doubtful :(

NOOOOOOOOooooo....

this tremendously sucks

I think i heard that speedtv was going to bring back coverage of the WRC next year. if that does happen, we wont see subaru in it. that blows, but now i wonder if that coverage will change if suby is out.

should rallysportdirect.com remove subaru parts from their inventory now?

Wow, half of the reason i love my subaru wrx so much is because when people say it is dirty i say, "its a rally car", but now they are pulling out and i feel like i cant say that any more, this definitely is sad news... i love rally racing and i think subarus are a sign for rally racing in my mind! :-(

my leggy isnt a rally bread car but i still say its a subaru and they
arent meant to be clean all the time. so i guess i feel you there. but
hey the subaru name is still there and as much as i love rally i really
hope they dont lose or change the wrx STI edition cars.

A lot of people are talking about Ford and their difficulties. Admittedly until this weekend I wasn't aware of this either, but Ford-US and Ford-Europe are completely seperate entities. It's Ford-US that is in the crapper. Ford-Europe is sitting pretty. In fact there is speculation that Ford walked away from the bailout talks because they got invested in by their European counter-parts and no longer needed it.

What's next now? Discontinued production of the Impreza? :unamused:

What's the point now of Subaru producing the Impreza WRX model?

:furious::furious::furious: i just failed my final but this stings more :diaf::diaf::diaf:

Damn that sucks now it'd be fun to build one car into a WRC style tribute vehicle fun to do an 04'

I have two things on my mind

a) Considering the figures we have all seen Subaru car sales haven't slumped EVEN close to the bigger manafactures. Heck in Australia they are gaining on their previous sales. I don't believe it can be about money, Prodrive do the brunt of the WRC work so unless Prodrive are saying "we can't do this **** no more" then I don't believe...

b) WTF is going to happen to Peter and Chris :(

horse pucky!!


yes subaru sales are up 2.9 % over last

What's next now? Discontinued production of the Impreza? :unamused:

What's the point now of Subaru producing the Impreza WRX model?



WELL the point is so we can still have fun driving. hopefully they will not discontinue

Oh my gah!!! This sucks that subaru's name wont be in the rally's this year. I know that the economy everywhere sucks right now but companies gotta do what they gotta do.

I got my bug eye WRX just because it was a rally car and got the wing and black headlights so I could look even more like the rally car....D'oh, I cant belive this WRC is over.

Well the Evo is looking even better to me now, and I finally got over them leaving the WRC

I am a salesman at Center Subaru in Torrington, CT and just to throw some light on the situation, contrary to what MANY think Subaru of America's sales are actually UP for the year. And Suaru of New England's numbers are up as well. This decision is definitely a decision for 2009 ONLY! And in response to XSBlack's comment... You called the 08 STi a pig and noted that Subaru has been "softening" the STi since it's release. I do not completely understand what you mean due to the fact that they have increased overall performance by increasing HP and torque, maintained the center diff. controls, added "Si" drive, adjusted the suspension... yes they did add some "luxury" type features, but for the cost many people expect it!

Well what a bummer!

Biggest thank you to WRC/FIA for basically banning the Flat 4 engine, what were they expecting a big kiss and a bunch of flowers from Subaru.

I would like to thank Speed Channel for putting the nail in the coffin of WRC in America. First they put it on at ridiculous times and never show any replays. Good job in giving it a fair shake.
But hay it's cool Barret Jackson auction starts up again for your viewing please, and maybe we can all enjoy another rerun episode of unique whips for the 30th or 40th time.

The Loeb factor. Lets face it Sebastien is pretty much unstoppable. I mean he has won every title since Petter won the last one for Subaru in 2003. The last manufactures title for Subaru was 1997!
Over his carreer Loeb has racked up 47 wins, Collin McRae and Tommi Makinen had like 25.

Oh well maybe Ford will come to there senses and survive by bringing cars to the US that we will buy like;

the Focus xr5 turbo
http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentS ... 852705861/

or the turbo Mondeo or Falcons.

The Taurus and the Fusion just need to fill there nitch in the rental car fleets and let the people purchase a car they will actually be proud of again.


+123456789 Well said. Always remember the passion that once was. But maybe this is Subaru's chance to step back and really figure out what really happened to the raw and untamed.

wow im sad!

Definitely too much thinking going on here.

Corporations around the world are reorganizing due to current economic trends.
Though Subaru sales may be up there are other variables that can be cutting into their profit margins which could be lower.


As long as there are other dedicated organizations rallying the current platform Subaru has nothing to worry about. The recent release of Ken Block's video alone won over how many fans around the world?


On a side note Ford has always done well outside the U.S. Their numbers in other markets have always been competitive. It's not just a recent thing.

They've been making quality cars overseas for quite some time now. We only get the crap here.

This makes me a Saaaaad Panda. :( I hate the economy!

They should move the WRC to Kansas! Gas is like 1.63 here! That would help right? :rolleyes:

You have to appeal to the MASSES to make money. Subaru likely couldn't give less of a damn what you want or think, they have shareholders to please. :unamused:


Good point.. but they still need to care. Even though he is one person his concerns represent a portion of Subaru sales, the enthusiast petrol head. Without Product being sold there would be no shares for the shareholders to have. Having said this they could also alienate all us enthusiasts for the mass non petrol head public (which makes up a much larger market) which is a turn they seem to be making. For the time being their staple car is the Impreza and we still make up allot of their current sales so they should be listening. ;)

I hope for our sake that they are just taking a break from the expenses of rally and are not moving away from our beloved AWD monsters to attack a new larger, and allot less fun, market. :sadbanana:

This was on the Dealer net not 10 mins ago...:(

FHI to withdraw from FIA WRC after 2008 season
Tokyo, December 16, 2008 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2008 season.
FHI has participated in the WRC together with Prodrive, a motorsports and automotive engineering group in the UK, over the past 19 years to pursue its goal and philosophy in motor sports activities to enhance Subaru brand awareness by showing that Subaru vehicles offer safe, comfortable and pleasurable driving no matter the weather or road conditions, featuring Horizontally-Opposed engine and the Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system as its core technologies, and to transfer results of race-tested technical improvements into Subaru passenger vehicles.
Subaru has won three manufacturer’s championship titles and three driver’s championship titles in its history of rally racing. This has helped enhance the value of the Subaru brand as well as the sales expansion of Subaru vehicles all over the world.
FHI considers it has achieved its original target in WRC participation. However, while considering positioning the WRC activity in Subaru branding strategy towards the future, our business environment has been dramatically changed due to the quick deterioration of the global economy. In order to optimize the management resources and to strengthen further the Subaru brand, FHI decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest timing.
As regards future involvement in rally activities, FHI will continue to support teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group N category.
President Mori commented that reaching this decision has been an extremely difficult task, not least with regards to the countless Subaru fans that for many years have cheered the legendary Subaru blue liveried Impreza World Rally Car; “We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our fans’ strong and loyal support worldwide. They will remain an invaluable treasure for us.”
Capitalizing on the priceless experience gained throughout the history in the WRC field, FHI will continue to offer Subaru customers products that integrate sheer excitement, safe, comfortable and reliable driving, respect of the global environment and peace of mind based on its philosophy of “Customer comes first.”
About Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history of technological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraft company. While the automotive business is a main business pillar, FHI’s Aerospace, Industrial Products and Eco Technologies divisions offer a diverse range of products from general-purpose engines, power generators, and sanitation trucks to small airplanes, crucial components for passenger aircrafts, and wind-powered electricity generating systems. Recognized internationally for its AWD (all-wheel drive) technology and Horizontally-Opposed engines in Subaru, FHI is also spearheading the development of environmentally friendly products and is committed to contributing to global environmental preservation.

Oh well, at least we still have Ken Block and motocross boy whats his name in driving for Subaru in Rally America, right?

On a side note Ford has always done well outside the U.S. Their numbers in other markets have always been competitive. It's not just a recent thing.

They've been making quality cars overseas for quite some time now. We only get the crap here.

I always found it odd how ford pooes where they eat :confused:

Holy **** :(

theres no point for me to watch rally race now... :(

Oh well, at least we still have Ken Block and motocross boy whats his name in driving for Subaru in Rally America, right?

:unamused:

Travis Pastrana.

Brilliant move, Subaru. Move away from the advertising model that actually made the Impreza a seller throughout most of the world, since obviously it didn't work. While I know it's very expensive to maintain a WRC car ($500k to build initially, another $2-3M to maintain that car and a fairly hefty salary for the drivers) wouldn't it make more sense to just move advertising money from other areas?

If Subaru is also backing out of regional rally, I think it's time to jump ship and buy a Citroen or a Peugot. Remember always, Subaru, that your best selling WRX color is World Rally Blue, not Street Racer Silver or Grocery Getter Green. Remove yourself from your roots and the plant dies, we are seeing the beginning of the end of Subaru.

PM Mitsubishi for details.

QFT. Unfortunately.

Damn this sucks. :sadbanana::sadbanana:

I don't think it's as terrible a thing as everyone thinks. As was stated the rules required that for Subaru to stay in the game it would require running a car much different from the cars we drive anway. As for the future of the platform, Mitsubishi pulled out of WRC years ago and has continued development of the Evolution. The same should hold true for Subaru. Subarus past and present do not cease to be "rally cars" now either. There are many other rally circuits that Subarus will continue to compete in privately. And if you're worried about marketing, in the USA at least, look no further than the X Games, which gets far more prime time coverage than WRC here.

:unamused:

I just dont know what else to say. I wonder how this will reflect on their sales. I wonder how this will play out in the development and future car offerings.

well, i never was a fan of spec series racing.. it's one thing when they penalize a team with ballast or restrictor plate changes, but full on spec stuff gets too boring for me.. i realize this might mean big changes in other aspects such as the importance of STI, but honestly i think i was more heart broken when patrick richard didn't return to rally america..

I don't think STI will lose importance. Just look at the other areas besides Rallying that they participate in. GT300, Nur 24hour etc etc...

But lets be honest, Rallying is where it all began for STI and the Impreza

I hope some good can come out of this like Subaru Australia enter a Subaru-backed team like SART in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and give car number 1 to Chris Atkinson and maybe car 2 to Cody Crocker who current is leading the APRC in a Subaru Impreza :)

:unamused:

I just dont know what else to say. I wonder how this will reflect on their sales. I wonder how this will play out in the development and future car offerings.

I worry about future car offerings.

:(

Rallying is where the Impreza came from and is the only reason it's offered as a road car.

It seems that this was going to happen anyway. With the move to the S2000-based spec-WR car in 2010 there would be no Subaru anyway. I would expect that Citroen and Ford should follow suit soon. Apparently, the FIA is talking with Mitsu to supply spec-lancer RalliArts as the basis for the WR in 2010 as well.

The S2000 chassis would be augmented by a turbo, aero and sequential tranny package.

There is a lot of crap flying about right now and it should all settle down soon. However, Subaru said that if the FIA adopted the Spec-car rules then they would leave, the FIA did and Subaru made good on their promise.

That said, Prodrive will support a Privateer team, Adapta, running WR Imprezas next year. Also, Group N and P-WRC are unaffected and SRT USA will run as well next year.

sad sad day. and to think a month ago i was looking forward to seeing them in the wtcc. now i dont get anything except a bunch of privateers

Keep in mind that the Stobart Ford team and the MKV Ford team are both Privateers.

http://www.boliviaweb.com/photography/images/photos/suarez_cementerio.jpg

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgw_RD_1_5I

SUBARU WORLD RALLY TEAM

DEP



The first of many sad day :(


At least we have youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5jZluytOOo

This is so crazy! Subaru and rally racing go hand in hand. I hope this is only temporary and that everyone bounces back from these tough times!

Subaru is pulling out of WRC, not out of rallying. They will continue to produce cars and parts for cars built to rally.

quote:: "As regards future involvement in rally activities, FHI will continue to support teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group N category."

Shed tears my brothers!

:sadbanana:



... But alas! Do not fear my fellow Subarites! Soon enough the savior of all rally lovers, the redeemer of those who sin on drag strips, our mud stained messiah will rise again one day to rule the backroads of fate!

http://blog.kornemuz.com/images/200709/20070916_Subaru_Impreza_555.jpg

regardless of it subaru is going to still be a subaru...... if you bought your car cause you saw someone on TV ripping it around the track how come you didnt go buy a ford taurus like nascar has......

Subaru is doing this so they do not go bankrupt with the way the auto industry is.... it cost them millions on millions on dollars to support these teams... not everyone like ken block and travis can pay outa pocket for a million dollar race car..

Once the auto industry starts to shine again, and the economy is fixed subaru will be back.

its a bussiness decision that had to be made... i would rather have them stay in bussiness then try and keep throwing into money into a sport where they keep loosing !

This could be better for subaru in the long run... with the time off they will decide wtf they were thinking when they came out with the new sti and go back to basics and redesign the whole car to something that could actually be better for 2010.

remember.. you have to win to make money they dont win anymore they just break down.

just my 2c

A little bit of me died today.

this just ruined my day :(

I thought this was a sick joke at first. I called the mid-atlantic regional rep to see if it was for real. Once he confirmed I actually teared up a bit. It's a sad time for Subie enthusiasts everywhere...:(

damn does this mean ken block has to go back to only making shoes? haha

damn does this mean ken block has to go back to only making shoes? haha


hahahaha epic

That sucks, I can't believe I wont be able to see this beautiful car racing all over the world in 09. :-(

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm57/mtjor/cars/112_2007_tokyo_motor_show_06z2008_s.jpg

so in spec racing there is not turbo, flat 4's or awd? is this correct? jusy trying to put together all the info i've heard. does a flat 4 have a big advantage to an inline really beside maybe having a lower center of gravity? how difficult would it be to develop a high revving inline 4?

Subaru hasn't been doing well in recent years, not only in WRC but in general. '08 STI's are selling for several thousand under invoice. Most everyone who owns an Impreza and really loves it is not just happy but damn proud of its rally heritage. The Impreza is nothing without the WRC. You could say the same for the Legacy. Its a sad day.
For the record, the new rules for the upcoming season dictate a "spec" style of classing where all cars have an inline 4-cylinder engine. That quite obviously eliminates Subaru from the running and in this economy they are not going to develop a new engine.

Where is this in the rules? What I'm getting from Google and WRC.com is pretty vague and mentions nothing about this. Not calling you out or anything, I just don't see it listed as a requirement.

I specifically am inquiring about the banning of flat 4's.

It is a sad day :sadbanana:

I do belive Subaru and STI will be OK, but the WRC is the reason a love Subarus.

And in response to XSBlack's comment... You called the 08 STi a pig and noted that Subaru has been "softening" the STi since it's release. I do not completely understand what you mean due to the fact that they have increased overall performance by increasing HP and torque, maintained the center diff. controls, added "Si" drive, adjusted the suspension... yes they did add some "luxury" type features, but for the cost many people expect it!

I think I understand XSBlack. It is not like the car is not good. It is just that it is not as good as it could be. Yes, it is fast, but it is havy too! And lacks precision... I had a test drive and I was not that impressed! Power is not the problem. It is the driving feel... Something is missing!

this sucks..... hopefully its like the nhl and they come back soon

That is really sad. I see the Subaru brand making many changes to "elevate" the brand above boy racer dream car. It seems they have done everything possible to move away from the car many of us want to drive/the reason we bought a Subaru in the first place. When the Sti first came to the US in 2004 we were wondering what would follow, the spec C, the s202, or s204. This obviously never happened and instead Subaru has been softening the Sti since it arrived, culminating in the pig that is the 08 Sti. I see Subaru turning into Toyota and it is very sad. This rant may be a little off topic but I just hope that the with drawl from WRC was only financially motivated and Subaru will be returning soon.

Wow, it took almost a whole hour for the first hatch hating tool to come trolling out from under his bridge... The hatch really is gaining acceptance!

Seriously, that hatch is the reason they pulled out, that and the lack of a spec C for sale in the US. It makes perfect sense! I hope the next STI is a Tribeca (hi guys) and has 7 seats and a plasma TV next to the hot tub in the back. Not that I want one, but it'd be fun to hear all the screaming and crying....

Brilliant move, Subaru. Move away from the advertising model that actually made the Impreza a seller throughout most of the world, since obviously it didn't work. While I know it's very expensive to maintain a WRC car ($500k to build initially, another $2-3M to maintain that car and a fairly hefty salary for the drivers) wouldn't it make more sense to just move advertising money from other areas?

If Subaru is also backing out of regional rally, I think it's time to jump ship and buy a Citroen or a Peugot. Remember always, Subaru, that your best selling WRX color is World Rally Blue, not Street Racer Silver or Grocery Getter Green. Remove yourself from your roots and the plant dies, we are seeing the beginning of the end of Subaru.

PM Mitsubishi for details.
They sell 'em in green now? I went up to the Northeast and saw a lot more green outbacks than rally blue anythings.

Good thing they aren't going to stop backing all rally. I was down at my local Citroen and Peugot delaers looking for a real rally car when.... wait a minute.... they don't even sell those in the US! WTF?

I know I saw a model of Citroen in that WRC race in, um.... oh yeah, WRC doesn't even come here, either. Maybe on TV? Maybe not. My God, I've bought 2 STI's that never even went near a WRC race. How did THAT happen?

Oh my..

The world is coming to an end.

Yep, believe it. Soon Celly will buy one, and replace the 2.5l with a 250cc kawi engine -
Tattooed numbers on hands -
Frogs falling from the sky -
Subaru pulling out of races that don't take place in the US, using cars that are different than the ones they sell here.....


Armageddon. Tell you friends to get out the chap stick, zombie apocalypse is next...

Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan has decided to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship.


– I got information about the decision earlier today and need to evaluate the situation before I make any public statement. I understand that media and the public would like to have answers to all their questions right now, but I ask you all to be patient and wait until tomorrow, says Petter Solberg.

I wonder if Subaru will make a car that fits within the new FIA rules?

Inline 4 STi??? :huh:

Wouldn't be the same.

You know, for people to say the hatch is a bad car, or its softened, i just do not agree. I used to work for a subaru dealership in florida and owning a 2002 for a good long while, i have driven just about every type of WRX/STI released here in the US. Including the ESX. My favorite body style for the STI will always be the 04/05. It's a pretty sexy car and its a blast to drive even when its stock. I cant stand when people try to use sophisticated terms to try and make it seem like they are failures or whatever have you. The Sti has gotten better every year that one has came out here in the US. Now i cant say anything about the s202 and the spec-c and even the older 22B Sti's, no one around here has those. Those are legendary cars imo and wish i could have had one.

Anyway, i test drove the Hatch STI. To me personally, it was a helluva car. If you had never driven a single Subaru car ever before in your life and you just got a wild hair up your ass one day and decided to drive one, you would've never known what hit you. Something that small, handles like a monster and is fast as hell. Corvettes and mustangs can go eat their hearts out. Subaru for life dude. All this nay say about subaru turning into toyotas and honda's is BS. There is no way of predicting whats going to happen. So if you guys where real fans you would keep your head up and think positive thoughts instead of this gloom and doom emo crap.

I really enjoyed the 08 Sti, and like the ones before, it never made me think that it was anything less than what it truely was. a subaru. You can drive evo's and all that other junk all day long, but there are just certain things about subaru's that you cant explain. Why you like them so much, why are they so fun? Why are you the only one speeding in the rain whilst everyone else is going 30 miles slower than the posted speed limit =D Its cause they kick ass. Just cause its a hatch and not a sedan doesnt mean its not bringing the beef to the table like its older brothers.

But thats my opinion, everyone is entitled to their own. Ill never forget why i like subaru so much.

I wonder if Subaru will make a car that fits within the new FIA rules?

Inline 4 STi??? :huh:

Wouldn't be the same.

Where is this in the rules? What I'm getting from Google and WRC.com is pretty vague and mentions nothing about this. Not calling you out or anything, I just don't see it listed as a requirement.

I specifically am inquiring about the banning of flat 4's.

Anyone?

that sucks. rally america next? hope not

it saddens me to think that Subaru will no longer be a part of the WRC. Such an icon of the race has Subaru been that to think of no Subaru in WRC is like no Yankee's in the MLB. I truly hope that this desicion does not affect in a negative way the perception of Subaru products here in the US, since we live in a paparazzi-driven market which is quick to brush aside what it perceives as a weak product.

And what is to become of Solberg/Atkinson?!?....they too have here much to think about...HELL!! they just lost their jobs!!!...i hope they have EDD where they live...lol


good luck Subaru, when you return i will still be here to cheer you on in WRB FTMFW!!!

H.

they would have more luck in wrc with a true subaru legend

22b....or atleast a gc8 chassis. i mean seriously, subaru hasn't been doing so well with newer body style and 08-09 sti is a sweet car and i wish i could own one but it isn't a good race platform.

tis a sad day :(

Loeb is a ****ing prodigy, thats why Subaru isn't winning...

Petter and Chris have posted 1st or top end stage times many times in both old and new cars. Petter has the history to back it up and Chris is still young in terms of WRC. You cannot compare these two guys against a living legend like Loeb. Take him out of the picture and I can see both SWRT guys being on the podium (of course with Jari, Mika and Dani in the mix).

Stop blaming the car ffs. You guys get sucked in by internet talk far too much. Its like the iphone all over again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regarding the S2000 rules basically it will be the ones listed here http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/1623371895__AppJ_Art_254A.pdf plus a WRC kit consisting of a turbo, revised inlet and exhaust manifolds, a quicker gearshift mechanism (with steering wheel paddle shift) and an aero package consisting of a rear wing and front spoiler all of which MUST be removable ala Bolt On kit.

The short of the S2000 rules means
a) the gearbox and drivetrain are the same in ALL the cars. How many people think they are going to change the single set to work with a Boxer Engine?
b) has the following restrictions;
Derived from production model, of which 2500 have been produced in the past year
Maximum of 2 liter (2000 cc) displacement
Normal Aspiration, 8500 rpm maximum for 4 cylinders, 8750 rpm maximum for 5 cylinders, 9000 rpm maximum for 6 cylinders.
All wheel drive is permitted in rally cars, but not in touring cars.
6-speed sequential gearbox (Control specification), or 5-speed MT gearbox retaining original gear ratios.
Front and rear McPherson suspension
No electronic driver aids
Must be for sale at a maximum price of €168,000.

All of the above found @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_2000

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly it seems Chris Atkinson had a inkling about the current events;

“I sort of knew something was going on, but I didn’t expect this,” Atkinson told wrc.com. “Now we have to figure out where to go from here. Nothing’s certain. To be honest it’s all still a bit of a shock. Obviously it’s disappointing - we put in four years at Subaru trying our best at every race. Now all I know is there’s nothing more planned.”

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=3547&desc=Atkinson and Solberg consider their options

Doesn't sound like SWRT was a happy place to be around the last few months...

True Subaru/Rally enthusiasts wont be too upset or discouraged about Subaru pulling out of WRC next year.

Just because Subaru wont be campaigning a factory backed car next year doesn't mean that all Subaru rally cars will suddenly vanish from the planet. And true rally enthusiasts will tell you the WRC is only one piece of the big picture that is rallying.

FHI has already indicated that this shouldn't affect any of the PWRC or group-n privateer teams that are out there competing right now, or Subaru Technica International for that matter. Not to mention the immense amount of other rally series that exist in this world, that people will not suddenly stop using Subaru's for.

The best example I can use is Mitsubishi, they pulled out of Factory backed WRC cars a few years ago, but didn't stop making evo's all of a sudden. Nor did Ralliart suddenly cease to exist. And for that matter, the current EVO is fiercely competitive in PWRC/GRP-N right now.

I really don't feel that the Subaru or the Impreza as a rally car, or a car manufacturer will ever really just "die out", or completely stop producing exciting cars.

-Anthony

boooo s2000 rules.

Bring back group a!

Hmmm, well unless they determine the boxer issue at a later time it appears that Subaru should be ok.

Super 2000 info

ehh, from Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_2000

The new technical regulations for the future World Rally Car will become effective from 2011.[7] The WRC Car will be based on the current Super 2000 and Group N cars, fitted with a supplementary kit, which includes turbo and rear-wing additions.[7] The kit must be able to be fitted or removed within a defined time limit, to be determined.[7]



http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72458

Friday, December 12th 2008, 13:05 GMT

Today's World Motor Sport Council meeting confirmed that the World Rally Championship will become a Super 2000-based series from 2010, as predicted by autosport.com yesterday.

A proposal to base the WRC on both Super 2000 and Group N cars was rejected following the World Rally Championship Commission's concerns over the cost implications of trying to level the playing field between the two cars.

The decision means that every manufacturer will be forced to introduce a new car for 2010, including Subaru who only entered their new Impreza part-way through the 2008 season.

A statement from the World Motor Sport Council said: "The 2010 World Rally Car will be S2000 based. However, the removable kit, already adopted by the WMSC, will be redefined with no electronic benefits, or similar upgrades, to ensure cost reductions.

"The new S2000-based World Rally Car will only be permitted for use on World Rally Championship events."

The FIA also confirmed that Group N cars, including the existing S2000, will be retained in the Production Car World Rally Championship, and that - as predicted by autosport.com - it is in negotiations with Ralliart Italy to supply and service Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cars for the Pirelli Star Drive winners to contest their designated WRC events in during 2009 and 2010.



The second paragraph sort of contradicts whats bein said :huh:, Dont quite understand that.

Regardless, a Subaru is eligible for Group N. So if the new WRC cars are GroupN with bolt ons, Subaru shall live. I also read on a few other sites about the "bolt-ons" so thats probably the direction it will go.

I'm disappointed.

In turn, a Subaru is eligible for Group N. So if the new WRC cars are GroupN with bolt ons, Subaru shall live. I also read on a few other sites about the "bolt-ons" so thats probably the direction it will go.

The new WRC is NOT based on Group N cars otherwise like you said Subaru would have not problem. The new WRC is based on Super 2000 and Subaru's issue with this is the drivetrain and gearbox (which is a 1 make fits all) will not work with a Boxer Engine

Thats my understanding, that and it kills innovation

Great write up Vaughn Performance..........agree with you 100% Guess I will watch my WRC tapes, especially my favorite 2001. Sad but we can only wait and see how it plays out.

Thats all folks.

You know, for people to say the hatch is a bad car, or its softened, i just do not agree. I used to work for a subaru dealership in florida and owning a 2002 for a good long while, i have driven just about every type of WRX/STI released here in the US. Including the ESX. My favorite body style for the STI will always be the 04/05. It's a pretty sexy car and its a blast to drive even when its stock. I cant stand when people try to use sophisticated terms to try and make it seem like they are failures or whatever have you. The Sti has gotten better every year that one has came out here in the US. Now i cant say anything about the s202 and the spec-c and even the older 22B Sti's, no one around here has those. Those are legendary cars imo and wish i could have had one.

Anyway, i test drove the Hatch STI. To me personally, it was a helluva car. If you had never driven a single Subaru car ever before in your life and you just got a wild hair up your ass one day and decided to drive one, you would've never known what hit you. Something that small, handles like a monster and is fast as hell. Corvettes and mustangs can go eat their hearts out. Subaru for life dude. All this nay say about subaru turning into toyotas and honda's is BS. There is no way of predicting whats going to happen. So if you guys where real fans you would keep your head up and think positive thoughts instead of this gloom and doom emo crap.

I really enjoyed the 08 Sti, and like the ones before, it never made me think that it was anything less than what it truely was. a subaru. You can drive evo's and all that other junk all day long, but there are just certain things about subaru's that you cant explain. Why you like them so much, why are they so fun? Why are you the only one speeding in the rain whilst everyone else is going 30 miles slower than the posted speed limit =D Its cause they kick ass. Just cause its a hatch and not a sedan doesnt mean its not bringing the beef to the table like its older brothers.

But thats my opinion, everyone is entitled to their own. Ill never forget why i like subaru so much.

+1 my friend. well put. in fact, I was just crusing around in my baby during the ice storm going right now where I live. I just got home, everyone was going so SLOW!! XD.

I know Subaru will be back next year.

sad day for subies everywhere! i hope they come back soon!

The new WRC is NOT based on Group N cars otherwise like you said Subaru would have not problem. The new WRC is based on Super 2000 and Subaru's issue with this is the drivetrain and gearbox (which is a 1 make fits all) will not work with a Boxer Engine

Thats my understanding, that and it kills innovation




[QUOTE]Super 2000 info

ehh, from Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_2000

The new technical regulations for the future World Rally Car will become effective from 2011.[7] The WRC Car will be based on the current Super 2000 and Group N cars, fitted with a supplementary kit, which includes turbo and rear-wing additions.[7] The kit must be able to be fitted or removed within a defined time limit, to be determined.[7]

From Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_2000

In order to cut costs & shorten development time, the Super 2000 rally cars originally used a common control gearbox & drivetrain made by a French company, Sadev. The FIA has since announced that Xtrac[2] and Ricardo Consulting Engineers will be allowed to also manufacture S2000 gearboxes to FIA spefication. This is to further cut costs by introducing competition into gearbox supply.


The following manufacturers have a Super 2000 rally car currently in production, or slated for production in the near future:

Fiat Super 2000 Grande Punto Abarth
Ford Fiesta [3]
Peugeot 207 RCup
Skoda Fabia[4]
Toyota Corolla / RunX (South African version of Corolla)
Toyota Auris
Volkswagen Polo S2000
MG ZR
Opel Corsa
Proton Satria Neo[5]

They dont use the same engines.

just heard the news from the nissan forums...

glad im out of the subaru scene now...nismo rules!

aparently Subaru is going to be in the American Rallys still,

For the time being, however, Rally in the United States appears to be intact. With Subaru dominating the Rally America series in 2008 and another championship win for Travis Pastrana, this may be a good time to restructure and bring new talent into the world spotlight. According the Subaru communications representative Dominick Infante: “ At the moment we are sticking with Travis and Ken and we have no plans to change our program for 2009.” ''

from subiesport's website.

just heard the news from the nissan forums...

glad im out of the subaru scene now...nismo rules!


how are you "out of the subaru scene" but still in here?

Subaru doesn’t rule out WRC return


of off wrc.com

They'll be back, this isnt a decision they wanted to make.

anyway-F(ucking)I(diot)A(ssholes), pretty immature I know

How can you rule out a flat four?

how are you "out of the subaru scene" but still in here?

someone told me NASIOC members were going crazy and just came by to see :D

What is this world comming to.....:sadbanana:

just heard the news from the nissan forums...

glad im out of the subaru scene now...nismo rules!


Yeah, because the entire "Subaru scene" is ****ed now. OH NOES :unamused:

damn man. i hope subaru doesnt turn like toyota. i hope they get back into the mix ASAP!

My first reaction....ANGER

My second is a sort of deranged laughter, because all these motorsport companies are jumping from the FIA ship.

Here's and idea for making a decent cheap rally series. Take factory cars, bolt in a roll cage and seats. Make final drive and suspension adjustable. done.


In all reality, this is a sad day, as the number of makes that have had success in rally and then left far outweigh the ones that returned.

The end of the world is coming, Subarus not rallying sideways...:(

OMFG PEOPLE!!!!!! This does NOT MEAN SUBARU IS OUT OF RALLY! IT JUST MEANS THEY ARE OUT OF THE WRC!!! People who keep saying **** like "why build the WRX now" must have never heard of Rally America, PWRC, Group-N ect.

WRC is only one race series out of hundreds ran around the world. SUBARU WILL STILL PRODUCE THE BEST RALLY CARS ON EARTH, CALM THE **** DOWN!

And as far as the S2000 car list, your right that they don't have the same engine, but they do have the same layout with inline 4's making the EJ series of engines illegal. This is FIA's fault more than anything.

ONCE MORE FOR THE SLOW ONES.

SUBARU IS NOT LEAVING RALLY, JUST THE WRC.

just heard the news from the nissan forums...

glad im out of the subaru scene now...nismo rules!

Nismo huh? WTF has Nismo done lately?

Man these new rules sound like they really prevent auto manufacturers from making better more advanced rally cars.

Whats the point in that?
Give everyone the same car and just let the drivers fight it out?
Seems like a boring NASCAR race to me...

well this deffinately sad news as we all saw it subaru was really draggin behind the last couple years in wrc seasons....looks like the two brothers finally agree with each other with Mitsubishi pullin out a while back now its brother the Subaru does the same .What happens to the feauture of the STi are they just going to beeff up the wrx and slowly discountinue the wrx STi?

Maybe Subaru could use some better drivers on the WRC team or what was the WRC team. Hopefully well see them come back with something in the coming years, i know the reason i got into Subaru's were the Insane things i had seen them do on the circuits... The decline of the economy just sounds like a excuse for the manufacturers to save more money, which granted the so called "BIG 3" should of done, but Subaru shouldn't be getting rid of there pride and joy. Whats next to go Rally America???

I'm so EFF-ING bummed. It's a sad day....

think positive thoughts instead of this gloom and doom emo crap.

Why are you the only one speeding in the rain whilst everyone else is going 30 miles slower than the posted speed limit =D Its cause they kick ass.

To the first part, That it just funny haha. And I know exactly what you mean about speeding past people in the rain. They do kick ass. It does suck, them leaving WRC, but I'll wait it out and see what happens. I love my subie!

:sadbanana:
Teh Suxzors

Does this mean that Rally America is going to get bigger?

Doesn't matter to me since you can't watch WRC anymore on Speed. Since I haven't seen any WRC in years, I would not even know...

Doesn't matter to me since you can't watch WRC anymore on Speed. Since I haven't seen any WRC in years, I would not even know...

Should matter in the sense that this is the 1st step to subaru eliminating more and more Motorsport Teams...

Nismo huh? WTF has Nismo done lately?

....except trying to sucker the Nismo fanbois into buying $19,000 exhaust systems :lol:

It sucks a lot, but I guarantee that subaru had some good reasons to pull out, they are obviously very serious about rally as it is responsible for a lot of their current fame especially in our niche market... but...

this will hopefully free up some funds for some of the smaller rally america and p-wrc teams, which i would honestly rather since it is an astounding amount of money to even start or continue racing in the wrc. I'm not saying rally america is cheap by any means, but a hell of a lot cheaper than the wrc...

In the end, I'd prefer great cars, with no wrc than mediocre cars and mediocre wrc attempts..... plus, who here would honestly enjoy watching subaru race a spec car w/o a boxer engine or the other things that make our cars unique? Not me.

I'll still support subaru, they've got me hook line and sinker anyways :P

my .02

As long as subaru doesnt puss out and go toyota on us only build cars for those god damn environmentalists and at the very least allow the impreza/wrx/sti to continue just as the camaro and mustang have continued through the crappiest of domestic years (1973-98)

And what is to become of Solberg/Atkinson?!?....they too have here much to think about...HELL!! they just lost their jobs!!!...i hope they have EDD where they live...lol

good luck Subaru, when you return i will still be here to cheer you on in WRB FTMFW!!!

H.

http://www.wrc.com/news/big/081216_mmm.jpg

Send them off to the glue factory right? Damn, best wishes fellas.

I drive an rsx and would give it up for my '96 L Wagon any day, good luck Subaru keep building us good cars and the wins will come on their own.

Spec < Boxer

They dont use the same engines.

No ****, I posted they will use the same drivetrain and gearbox ;)

Anyhoo I'll stop as this is going nowhere. I hope all the best to the SWRT team members and I hope we can see Petter and Chris back in action soon

Wow, this was unexpected...
wow...

I wonder how much longer the STI will be around, before it gets cut from the line up. It can't be that profitable to make and market this car.

At first I was super bummed, but then i thought about RallyAmerica and realized I dont even follow WRC except for a few website visits a month. WRC is so out of reach for what the average guy can identify with. In RA we have Block, Pastrana, Foust, Picard, L'estage, Sarasin. Amercan and Canadian guys who you can go out and meet at the rally's. As long as Subaru keeps supporting Rally America and P-WRC, and keeps producing AWD Turbo rally cars for the masses than I'm not worried. Solberg to Subaru Rally Team USA?:p

Sad and bad news for sure.

Like some of the others, I'm not that surprised. Even before the economy sucked, I was thinking they might do this anyway. I have sort of thought they were trying to go more "upscale" and get away from the racer image. Audi was unstoppable in rally and you no longer see them in rally. That is sad too, but I think it is the evolution of many car companies. They do R&D on the track, but once they obtain a strong product (AWD for Subaru and being "green" appear to be their staples now - more than rallying) they often move away from the race track.

I probably will never buy a Subaru to be used as a sports car again. Which is even more unfortunate to me personally. Every year the STi have become more soft. To where now I view it almost like a luxury hatch instead of a hard core bargain sports car. Compare the 2004 (no stereo - all that mattered was performance) to the 2008 (performance seems almost like an afterthought). Worlds aparts. Too bad....

From: Michael McHale
Date: December 16, 2008
Re: FHI Withdrawing from the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC)
As you may have become aware, FHI has announced that it is withdrawing from the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC) citing cost reasons. The announcement follows Suzuki Motor Corp's withdrawal the previous day and Honda's recent announcement that it will no longer compete in Formula One. We at SOA are saddened by this announcement but understand the costs involved in maintaining a WRC team and that it has become increasingly difficult to secure TV viewership for the series. We also note the newly announced 2010 'S2000' rules, which along with extra certification costs, will require all manufacturers to run their cars with common drivetrain and gearboxes, and therefore will affect each team's ability to showcase its own technologies.

At SOA, we have no plans to discontinue our support of the Rally America National Championship, where our Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Travis Pastrana and Ken Block finished 1-2 respectively in the 2008 season, driving 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI-based rally cars.

At least SOA isn't yanking the plug on Rally USA sponsorship..:D

I probably will never buy a Subaru to be used as a sports car again. Which is even more unfortunate to me personally. Every year the STi have become more soft. To where now I view it almost like a luxury hatch instead of a hard core bargain sports car. Compare the 2004 (no stereo - all that mattered was performance) to the 2008 (performance seems almost like an afterthought). Worlds aparts. Too bad....

:rolleyes:
so, what makes the current model "soft" is the inclusion of a radio. Awesome, yeah guys i wanna buy a car with no radio wooooo. You're stupid to think that even .0009% of the car buying public would be willing to buy a car with no radio.

If you mean things like power windows, correct me if i'm wrong, but all american sti's of any year had power, correct?

Air conditioning? See radio comment.

Softer suspension? That, i can see to a degree, but they redeemed themselves with significantly better rubber. Besides, if you're pushing the car hard enough on public streets to notice the suspension difference, you should be shot. Tracking it? You'll probably modify the suspension anyways, moot point. Miss the characteristic "bounce" of a "tight" suspension? Cut your springs, blow your struts, problem solved.

Luckily for me, suburu doesn't give two squats what YOU think, since apparently i'm the target customer. ;)

btw, your audi, it come with no radio as well?

stop trolling and keep thread on topic.

Sad and bad news for sure.

Like some of the others, I'm not that surprised. Even before the economy sucked, I was thinking they might do this anyway. I have sort of thought they were trying to go more "upscale" and get away from the racer image. Audi was unstoppable in rally and you no longer see them in rally. That is sad too, but I think it is the evolution of many car companies. They do R&D on the track, but once they obtain a strong product (AWD for Subaru and being "green" appear to be their staples now - more than rallying) they often move away from the race track.

I probably will never buy a Subaru to be used as a sports car again. Which is even more unfortunate to me personally. Every year the STi have become more soft. To where now I view it almost like a luxury hatch instead of a hard core bargain sports car. Compare the 2004 (no stereo - all that mattered was performance) to the 2008 (performance seems almost like an afterthought). Worlds aparts. Too bad....

When did this turn in to a conversation about the STi getting soft? The STi has nothing to do with the WRC car and this post has less to do with the topic.

THE STi GETTING SOFT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM PULLING OUT OF THE WRC!

Does this possibly affect the development of new Sti's? I mean didn't they create the new hatch/wagon style to be more competetive in WRC and now they are pulling out?

Yah, I hope not.

Wow, it's amazing how many people without a clue, yet "looking for information", DECIDE NOT TO READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE POSTING!

All of your "will this affect the next STi?" and "Does this mean the WRX is done?" questions have been answered.

Anybody know if rally america is streamed anywhere....on tv or the net?

Sadley this is no big surprise. I expect the next STI to be even bigger,softer,slower and neutered than the current one.:(

they are not going to cut sti or wrx mitsubishi pulled out or wrc years ago and they still haven't stopped building their "production" rally cars

Sadley this is no big surprise. I expect the next STI to be even bigger,softer,slower and neutered than the current one.:(

READ THE ****ING THREAD YOU MORON! That isn't EVEN CLOSE to the case! If anything they might make it better for the PWRC.

:rolleyes:
so, what makes the current model "soft" is the inclusion of a radio. Awesome, yeah guys i wanna buy a car with no radio wooooo. You're stupid to think that even .0009% of the car buying public would be willing to buy a car with no radio.

If you mean things like power windows, correct me if i'm wrong, but all american sti's of any year had power, correct?

Air conditioning? See radio comment.

Softer suspension? That, i can see to a degree, but they redeemed themselves with significantly better rubber. Besides, if you're pushing the car hard enough on public streets to notice the suspension difference, you should be shot. Tracking it? You'll probably modify the suspension anyways, moot point. Miss the characteristic "bounce" of a "tight" suspension? Cut your springs, blow your struts, problem solved.

Luckily for me, suburu doesn't give two squats what YOU think, since apparently i'm the target customer. ;)

btw, your audi, it come with no radio as well?

stop trolling and keep thread on topic.
The 2004 STi sold pretty damn well with no radio. They did that on the 2004 to save weight. That means saving weight which has real performance enhancing outcome was more important on the 2004 than just about any other aspect of the car. Real quick, it's not a trick question, how much does the 2008 STi weigh? How much does the 2004 STi weigh?

Didn't like my post or opinion eh. Sorry to rain on your parade. I've owned two STis and a WRX. I know enough about them. If you think the current 2008 is as hard core as the 2004... I'm not even going to bother you with the conversation. Carry on crying in your beer that Subaru has left WRC.

Also, you want them to carry on in WRC when their factory based team is getting beat by private teams? Looks pretty good for the home team huh. Careful what you wish for.

When did this turn in to a conversation about the STi getting soft? The STi has nothing to do with the WRC car and this post has less to do with the topic.

THE STi GETTING SOFT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM PULLING OUT OF THE WRC!

You missed the point of my entire second paragraph. I think it was bound to happen anyway. Subaru was not doing well in WRC even before the economy sucked. And other manufacturers have done this before - that is develop a particular breed of car or technology on the track, and once their brand is made in the market, they abandon track competition.

I won't post anymore guys. Since you can't seem to entertain opinions outside your little box of thinking and then resort to calling people stupid (mustardrex) when we offer our opinion. Or tell me to stop trolling (this on a board I've frequented for 4+ years).

Rock on and keep hoping for that day when Subaru returns to WRC....

All I'm saying is that the current "softness" of the STi has nothing to do with anything in this thread. If that was the truth, the Citroen C4 would be the baddest little hatch-thing on the planet.

READ THE ****ING THREAD YOU MORON! That isn't EVEN CLOSE to the case! If anything they might make it better for the PWRC.
Wow,easy there. If it does make it better for the PWRC great. I did read the thread and although it looks like nothing is set in stone I was just expressing an opinion which is something that I,like many others it would seem are less willing to do. I do hope Subaru returns to the WRC in '10. I also hope that the STI stays as good as it is currently and doesn't devolve so that when I do get to buy one it is still a great bang for the buck. And really,is the name calling absolutely called for?

Wow,easy there. If it does make it better for the PWRC great. I did read the thread and although it looks like nothing is set in stone I was just expressing an opinion which is something that I,like many others it would seem are less willing to do. I do hope Subaru returns to the WRC in '10. I also hope that the STI stays as good as it is currently and doesn't devolve so that when I do get to buy one it is still a great bang for the buck. And really,is the name calling absolutely called for?


lol trust me I have been through this before "NAME CALLIN" is deffinately here in Nasioc which is sad.... i thought anyone can express their own opinion obvisouly we cant all agree to same thing but everyone should have the right to express whats on their mind without been called names.

I love Subaru Rally... I was sad to hear that the WRC program was dropped.... But, then (after reading through this thread) and actually thinking to myself when the last time that I watched or was able to watch any WRC events was a LONG time ago...

From what it sounds like the FIA is doing to NASCARify the WRC in 2010 and beyond, with the S2000 rule changes and restrictions.... Why would I even want to watch the WRC in the future anyway? I certainly don't watch nascar on TV and it is on ALL THE TIME... and currently I can't watch WRC events... They are just not available, not even late at night on speed channel anymore... So, I'm sure of one thing... I don't have to watch the WRC once it goes all nascar, because it will never be on TV anyway!

I was depressed when I read the press release, but now that I have read this thread I want to jump off a building.

alright dibbs on solbergs car, What is Subaru going to do with their (race)cars , trucks, parts and other stuff?

WRC= Would Rather Collapse
FIA= Farking Ignorant Azzholes

You have to respect them for not gutting the heart out of the WRX and screwing in an inline 4. As far as I know the only inline motor they have is that three cylinder econo but I could be wrong.

WRC= Would Rather Collapse
FIA= Farking Ignorant Azzholes

You have to respect them for not gutting the heart out of the WRX and screwing in an inline 4. As far as I know the only inline motor they have is that three cylinder econo but I could be wrong.


I agree WRC has changed a whole lot in recent years too much rules and regulations... this are some of the same issues that Toyota dropped also years ago, when they started to restrict so much on the Celica GT4

I agree WRC has changed a whole lot in recent years too much rules and regulations... this are some of the same issues that Toyota dropped also years ago, when they started to restrict so much on the Celica GT4

I thought Toyota got banned for cheating, something about using a higher octane gas than everyone else or something?

I thought Toyota got banned for cheating, something about using a higher octane gas than everyone else or something?

Toyota got banned for 12 months for illegal turbo modifications back in 1995. They could of came back after that, but decided it wasn't worth it. FIA has pushed a lot of manufacturers out of WRC. They will eventually kill the whole series.

Toyota got banned for 12 months for illegal turbo modifications back in 1995. They could of came back after that, but decided it wasn't worth it. FIA has pushed a lot of manufacturers out of WRC. They will eventually kill the whole series.

Wow, I never heard about that! That's a bit harsh isn't it?

What the hell!!! not cool, not cool at all man!!!!!:mad::diaf::furious:

Toyota got banned for 12 months for illegal turbo modifications back in 1995. They could of came back after that, but decided it wasn't worth it. FIA has pushed a lot of manufacturers out of WRC. They will eventually kill the whole series.


True true your right, celica gt4 used to be my favourite rally before i fell in love with the impreza.

but you need to get over this. If you bought your Impreza (be it a WRX or STi) because of the WRC car then you are a twit. Anyone here remember that NASCAR came from "Stock Car" racing because you drove a stock vehicle? As has been pointed out, your STi or WRX was no closer to a WRC car than a Taurus was to Ford's NASCAR vehicle. "Race on Sunday; sell on Monday"?? It doesn't work so well if I can't buy the car. Hell, the car was built and engineered by ProDrive anyway, using a Subaru chasis and block.
If Subaru is smart, they will continue to fund stock racing series and privateers - I'm hard pressed to think of 5 brands which can compete worldwide - then Subie can still mean rally and I mean real rally.

It's true that I'm disappointed that Subie is pulling out of WRC, but it's the FIA's fault for changing the rules, not Subaru. As of now, they have not pulled sponsorship for other Rally series which actually use the stock vehicle you can buy from a dealer. I actually hope this kills WRC and allows the true old school rally to come back. I bought my Subarus for what they are capable of. AWD and the Boxer are what make Subaru a Subaru, not WRC. I still love mine and what those two things bring to a daily driver. I never thought for a minute that my first WRX was a WRC car, but it saw tons of gravel roads, 4 wheel drifts and more than a few episodes of "unweighting" the suspension. The smiles it has brought to my face are completely unrelated to WRC!!

You have to appeal to the MASSES to make money. Subaru likely couldn't give less of a damn what you want or think, they have shareholders to please. :unamused:

just my .02 - had this statement been true, subie obviously would have made zero changes to the 2008 wrx..those changes cost them money in which they only raised the price of the car minutely for 2009. We bitched, they listened, end result: 2009 wrx. sign me up. The subaru WRC will live on through its street brethren, and hopefully will return in the future.

you all gotta be crapping me!

Its not all bad. The traditional WRC helped a lot in the rapid development of new technologies. Technologies which then were applied to their production lines.

Hopefully, another organization will start up, with laxer manufacturer rules. This might then allow cars to compete mostly stock, which at one point, was the heart and soul of WRC...

Sad and bad news for sure.

Like some of the others, I'm not that surprised. Even before the economy sucked, I was thinking they might do this anyway. I have sort of thought they were trying to go more "upscale" and get away from the racer image. Audi was unstoppable in rally and you no longer see them in rally. That is sad too, but I think it is the evolution of many car companies. They do R&D on the track, but once they obtain a strong product (AWD for Subaru and being "green" appear to be their staples now - more than rallying) they often move away from the race track.

I probably will never buy a Subaru to be used as a sports car again. Which is even more unfortunate to me personally. Every year the STi have become more soft. To where now I view it almost like a luxury hatch instead of a hard core bargain sports car. Compare the 2004 (no stereo - all that mattered was performance) to the 2008 (performance seems almost like an afterthought). Worlds aparts. Too bad....

I would point out that two sports car companies, Ferrari and Porsche, still carry on quite a bit of racing. An article, which is in Autoweek right now, talks about Porsche maintaining a profitable involvement in motorsports since their inception. How their involvement in motorsports could possibly be profitable, I have no clue, but subaru should study whatever they are doing and do it too. The article mentioned the sale of "race prepped" cars for privateer teams. If privateer teams can be successful in WRC, then I would be ok with subaru selling prepped cars to them. I do feel that it would be a lot less sexy than the years of proprietary research that Ferrari, McLaren, and Prodrive have done for the race teams they personally field.

On the whole "softer sti's" thing, its been debated ad nauseum, but I will put my plug in that any negative difference between an '04 and an '07 sti was purely in parts that could easily be swapped. Every substantial change to the car (engine, drivetrain, suspension geometry) was an improvement from the prior year's car (except the bad '07-08 tunes for emissions:rolleyes:). Yes, things like more safety equipment inevitably added weight, but you have to go back to the 60's (or at least 80's honda's or the flexy GC body) to get cars that are truly lighter than what we drive today. Subaru is still able to get the GR body down to WRC minimum weight, but the downside is that if you want to do that to your street car, there is just more stuff to rip/swap out.

I'm still not entirely sold on the new STI rear suspension, but I'll let you know after this coming season. ;)

Frank

Phazewun, that was the best post Ive read yet. I agree and like what you said...I hope we're not down for good.

This is extremely disappointing. As many others on here have stated, I purchased my WRX in part due to their WRC participation. I am happy they are keeping the US Rally Team!

Swedish TV talks to Petter on the phone.

http://svt.se/play?a=1351113

just my .02 - had this statement been true, subie obviously would have made zero changes to the 2008 wrx..those changes cost them money in which they only raised the price of the car minutely for 2009. We complained, they listened, end result: 2009 wrx. sign me up. The subaru WRC will live on through its street brethren, and hopefully will return in the future.

I agree. If Subaru was only going to appeal to the 'masses' the car's would be completely different, and the would have made the changes they made in 2008 a lot sooner. For example there would be no STi wing, you would be able to fold down your seats to get to the trunk, and the seats would be a lot more comfortable :lol: But the cars that we were given are the cars that we love, and the cars this site was made for. And the '08 could have even been more of a response for the nasioc member who wants a daily driver and occasionally wants to have fun at the track. Not everyone on nasioc needs a super-sport-rice-burner :lol:

What rules and regs did FIA change as it appeals to the boxer design? I cant find them. Is Subaru going to go with an Inline engine now?

I am truely saddended by this and I hope its only temp. I just ordered about $150.00 or SWRT gear from their website. I think theyll come back in 2010 and rock the house, if not I will and do it all in my Lego GT. :)

Long Live SWRT

I still don't know what to think... but if Subaru moves away from current designs to become more like other car brands... well I might as well buy a Toyota.

Bring Group B back... :unamused:

When I first heard the news I was mad and angry at Subaru. Now that I've taken some time to think I'm just mad at the FIA. They showed Audi, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and now Subaru the door. Has me thinking, is it Subaru that needs the WRC, or is this another nail in the coffin?

It would be great to see a Global Rallye Syndicate started based on advancing cars through the sport of rally. Bone Stock sports cars rallying with safety modification and legal changes to gears and suspension. Just an idea.

attn subaru- go **** yourself

and DIAF

The article mentioned the sale of "race prepped" cars for privateer teams. If privateer teams can be successful in WRC, then I would be ok with subaru selling prepped cars to them. I do feel that it would be a lot less sexy than the years of proprietary research that Ferrari, McLaren, and Prodrive have done for the race teams they personally field.



You mean like this?

http://www.subaru.com.au/performance/motorsport-vehicle-range/

Back in the GD days Subaru Australia had Spec C STI's (also remember Spec C's were never sold to the Aussie public) prepped and ready to hit many forms of rally motorsport whether it be tarmac, gravel etc... They even had a PWRC model if you had enough $$

Shame that kind of thing doesn't happen in other countries (though ever since the GR rolled in they have been "sold out". I guess they are awaiting a Spec C to base the next model off?)

Also I don't know if this has been mentioned or not but I heard a rumour (sourceless, take with grain of salt) that Stobart is looking to pickup the SWRT current team for the 2009 series!

EDIT: Well I am going to shoot down my own rumour with official news! Chris Atkinson will be driving for Citroen's newly created M2 team, more @ http://www.themotorreport.com.au/15710/chris-atkinson-scores-a-seat-with-citroen-for-2009-wrc/#more-15710

After reading this...why isnt rally followed more closely. I dont think ive ever seen a rally on cable tv. This sucks subaru is what makes the rally...a rally :(.

I dont understand what FIA has done to make Subaru and other manufacturers leave Rally. Can someone answer this please. I dont think it is right to say F subaru when it may not be there fault.
What did FIA do to make Subaru withdraw from Rally?

After reading this...why isnt rally followed more closely. I dont think ive ever seen a rally on cable tv. This sucks subaru is what makes the rally...a rally :(.


Because NASCAR bought out Speed channel. NASCAR can go F-themselves. I hate NASCAR, and America is ignorant for embracing it as the only form of autoracing....oh yes, and anything NHRA sanctioned.

So, basically what I take from this is that WRC sucks. It happens. And what we all REALLY need to do is start putting FAR more push, emphasis, etc. into Rally America.


I'm game. Where do I go for the t-shirts?



SUPPORT RALLY AMERICA!!!

I'm going to go roll my subaru off a cliff... seems like the only way to preserve its honor. Anyone need takeoffs?

Because NASCAR bought out Speed channel. NASCAR can go F-themselves. I hate NASCAR, and America is ignorant for embracing it as the only form of autoracing....oh yes, and anything NHRA sanctioned.

F1 wont even hold races in north america whatsoever, they dropped canada for next year. Our continent is over.




I would point out that two sports car companies, Ferrari and Porsche, still carry on quite a bit of racing. An article, which is in Autoweek right now, talks about Porsche maintaining a profitable involvement in motorsports since their inception. How their involvement in motorsports could possibly be profitable, I have no clue, but subaru should study whatever they are doing and do it too. The article mentioned the sale of "race prepped" cars for privateer teams. If privateer teams can be successful in WRC, then I would be ok with subaru selling prepped cars to them. I do feel that it would be a lot less sexy than the years of proprietary research that Ferrari, McLaren, and Prodrive have done for the race teams they personally field.
Frank



porsche pulled out of alms, following audi

but you need to get over this. If you bought your Impreza (be it a WRX or STi) because of the WRC car then you are a twit. Anyone here remember that NASCAR came from "Stock Car" racing because you drove a stock vehicle? As has been pointed out, your STi or WRX was no closer to a WRC car than a Taurus was to Ford's NASCAR vehicle.

Ah dude You might be a johnny come lately to this but a WRX and STi were exactly that.

That NASCAR reference is BS as well.

The basic layout of a WRC subaru is very similar, the shells are the same basis, the engine is derived from the EJ20 - a LOT of common DNA.

NASCAR's are tube chassis fibreglass shells with stickers on them. Only the name is the same.

My first WRX (MY94) was exactly the same car as was racing. Grp A & N cars had to have a base car (the WRX) and a limited 5K version (the STi) to qualify.

WRC "kit" cars that came in 98 were to allow other manufacturers in but the GT4, the EVO, the WRX all had there roots in rally.

The different with SWRT WRC cars now is not having to homogolate the same as before but a LOT from the WRC cars flows down to Grp N.

F1 wont even hold races in north america whatsoever, they dropped canada for next year. Our continent is over.




Wow seems like race car racing is just going to ***** to begin with. All these big names dropping out from all the races, and now its not even going to advertised or televised.

What is wrong with America? First our dollar and economy, and now racing........:mad:

At least I get to fight in wars for this. :diaf:

F1 wont even hold races in north america whatsoever, they dropped canada for next year. Our continent is over.

porsche pulled out of alms, following audi

ouch. that IS bad news.

Frank

I dont understand what FIA has done to make Subaru and other manufacturers leave Rally. Can someone answer this please. I dont think it is right to say F subaru when it may not be there fault.
What did FIA do to make Subaru withdraw from Rally?

FIA has created rules that go into effect in 2010 that require a specific drivetrain, making it nearly impossible for subaru to use their trademark "boxer" engine. At least, this is my understanding. But people are mostly putting words in subaru's mouth since subaru's official line is for "cost-cutting reasons". Either way, I wouldn't blame subaru. The market certainly is affecting everyone, and FIA doesn't have the best reputation for doing what the fans and manufacturers want.

Frank

FIA has created rules that go into effect in 2010 that require a specific drivetrain, making it nearly impossible for subaru to use their trademark "boxer" engine. At least, this is my understanding. But people are mostly putting words in subaru's mouth since subaru's official line is for "cost-cutting reasons". Either way, I wouldn't blame subaru. The market certainly is affecting everyone, and FIA doesn't have the best reputation for doing what the fans and manufacturers want.

Frank


So basically if they say everyone has to run a 2.0 I-4 than th ats what everyone has to do? And thats how they're F-ing over Subaru?

If thats the case than why dont they just say everyone has to run in the same darn car and wear the same uniforms....:mad:

I will be so pissed if Subaru takes away the boxer to conform to FIA regulations......That boxer is the 1 of 2 reasons I buy Subaru's, and if they loose it than they'll be no better off than 1/2 of the manufacture'ers already having AWD (the second reason).

:diaf: FIA

So basically if they say everyone has to run a 2.0 I-4 than th ats what everyone has to do? And thats how they're F-ing over Subaru?

If thats the case than why dont they just say everyone has to run in the same darn car and wear the same uniforms....:mad:

I will be so pissed if Subaru takes away the boxer to conform to FIA regulations......That boxer is the 1 of 2 reasons I buy Subaru's, and if they loose it than they'll be no better off than 1/2 of the manufacture'ers already having AWD (the second reason).

:diaf: FIA

It does kinda make a joke of the manufacturer's title if the engine and gearbox are a spec unit.

Obviously this has occured for purely financial reasons,But what has given us all these great cars like the WRX and EVO lancers is a production based formula.
The FIA have been stuffing around with rules for years with vested interests behind most changes,anyone remember the BMC Cooper S and the Fiasco of illegal headlights at Monte Carlo in 1965,in this case the French didn't want the English to win so played games.
How did the French seem to take over all the governing bodies of sport worldwide Motor sport is the FIA Bikes are the FIM Soccer etc all run out of France this I see as more of an issue than a probably temporary withdrawal from motor sport of manufacturers and we need production based Motor sport for better cars to drive in the future
Here in Australia we can thank the UN rules adopted by prime Minister Keating for taking away control of the Australian touring car championship from CAMS the FIA affilliated body.Specifically the anti monopoly area
The V8 Supercars replaced it,which now consists of only GM and Ford what a joke poor gate attendence etc,only healthy club motorsport and track days have allowed race tracks to survive this shortsighted and anti competitive practice.When all makes were allowed to compete you had a wider base of people trackside now the numbers are dropping which threatens Race track financial Viability, same thing happening with Rally now. remember use it or lose it this is not a good scenario for that reason.