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08-20-2013, 12:40 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 63646
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Dayton, OH
Vehicle:2008 STi DGM |
Now that L'estage and Richard will be driving
sti, i wonder what they'll do next year if a.) they have success in the subie or b.) they don't have success in subie (one would think they'd go back to mitsu, but not sure they want to burn subie bridge?) interesting announcement today though...
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08-20-2013, 03:20 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175624
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Wichita, KS
Vehicle:0304 WRX WRX SY WRB |
From what I understand, their EVO X is rented out to Rifat Sungkar for the remainder of the 2013 RA season.
I would imagine they will likely return to their EVO X next season. (Or the WRC Lancer possibly, if it's still in the mix)...I can't see them making a permanent change to Subaru, but stranger things have happened. |
08-20-2013, 04:37 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 163058
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Central Indiana
Vehicle:'20 WRX '16 BRZ Limited |
Wow, that is really weird. Subaru must be really be feeling generous this week because they bumped Dillon van Way from a Ford Fiesta to an SP class Impreza WRX STi.
The story on L'Estage. The story on Van Way. So now here's the conspiracy question...does this mean that the GRC team is done for next year? This funding has to come from somewhere, and I haven't heard Subaru changing their focus to be more on motorsports. In fact, they also pulled support out of the Continental series earlier this year. What gives? |
08-20-2013, 05:20 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 245851
Join Date: May 2010
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Fairfield Township(Cincinnati)
Vehicle:2004 WRX Rally car |
I think Subaru is testing the waters on trying to go back to a 2 car effort next year and want to throw Antoine a bone since he wadded up the WRC car in Oregon. The press release still says that Libra will be running the car with "technical support" from VTSC.
I also don't think Subaru is offering any support for DVW. He paid VTSC for a new SP STi and they said sure, gives us $150k (ish) and we will build and maintain your car. If you have been to a Rally America event this year you can tell that DVW has plenty of $$ to fund this effort. Subaru is still committed to GRC as far as I can tell (I had a nice conversation with the Motorsports marketing manager last weekend at the Subaru Challenge in Lafayette, IN). |
08-20-2013, 06:02 PM | #5 |
Driving Sports TV Staff
Member#: 15542
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Kirkland, WA
Vehicle:2004 WRX |
If Ken Block outright wins the next two races he wins the championship. In stage rally, anything can happen. Higgins has been running fast and clean but ish can happen. My theory is that Subaru bumping L'Estage into a fast Subaru is buying them insurance against Block. Even if L'Estage wins Ojibwe, Higgins still wins the championship and Block is is out. It's putting two very fast drivers against Ken, who is in the fastest car.
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08-21-2013, 06:13 PM | #6 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 76849
Join Date: Dec 2004
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Erie, PA
Vehicle:2011 WRX Rally Blue |
I just saw this. I think Subaru is pushing harder into rally because of the pressure from Block and Ford. Block is chaotic and wrecks all the time but when he finishes he is faster than anyone. GRC is a lame duck as well. Isachsen is the only one that can drive and the others are completely wasting Subaru's funding. New cars, new tech and only slightly better results. Bucky can't drive. He has to be on the way out. Keep Isachsen. (Just speculating.)
I am really excited to see how L'estage does in the 2010 car. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a win (or 2nd or 3rd). They might not get him permanently but they want the press. I am a Higgins fan but L'estage is a hell of a driver. Perhaps Higgins moves on to other motorsports if he wins 3 in a row and Subaru is looking for a new main driver. I hope he sticks around though. //Ken Block...will probably wreck in one of the last races. ///push the exhaust the GRC cars back under the car a bit ////go higgins Last edited by EnforcerPSU; 08-21-2013 at 06:36 PM. |
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