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Thread: Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship

  1. #1
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    Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship

    Another one bites the dust:

    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.
    If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.

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    Well... Sorry for subaru fans... but honestly, they weren't able to keep up with ford and citoen this prev. season...
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  3. #3
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    Looks like 2009 might be shaping up as a lean year for traditional motorsport fans.....
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    To me that's pretty much like Ferrari or McLaren leaving F1... a HUGE blow.
    Reginald *IB4R* says:
    it was a beautiful 35 seconds.
    David says:
    that's what she said

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    Quote Originally Posted by fisetdavid26 View Post
    To me that's pretty much like Ferrari or McLaren leaving F1... a HUGE blow.
    I can't imagine how much of an impact that will be.
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    Quote Originally Posted by fisetdavid26 View Post
    To me that's pretty much like Ferrari or McLaren leaving F1... a HUGE blow.
    actually Subaru is more like Williams in current F1, when was the last time they won a race?
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

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    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    actually Subaru is more like Williams in current F1, when was the last time they won a race?
    Williams has a great F1 history as well. That's my point.
    Reginald *IB4R* says:
    it was a beautiful 35 seconds.
    David says:
    that's what she said

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    Quote Originally Posted by fisetdavid26 View Post
    Williams has a great F1 history as well. That's my point.
    but if they would withdraw now, it would have far less of an impact than the withdrawal of either Ferrari or McLaren. (These two are sort of on the same level as Ford and Citroen in current WRC). Remember also Lotus withdrew once from Formula 1 and the impact was not really big, as they were "also rans" for most of their final 5 years in F1.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

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    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    actually Subaru is more like Williams in current F1, when was the last time they won a race?
    They might not have won races recently but they still do have the experience and the racing history with them. It dosn't mean they could fight back and win more races...
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bleeding Heart View Post
    They might not have won races recently but they still do have the experience and the racing history with them. It dosn't mean they could fight back and win more races...
    see my post above.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

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    Williams has been done for years....incapable of challenging for the c'ship.

    Obviously the problem has been at the top of the team management.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dino Scuderia View Post
    Williams has been done for years....incapable of challenging for the c'ship.

    Obviously the problem has been at the top of the team management.
    I think there is also something to do with the engines powering the car.

    When they use BMW engines, they were strong performers.

    They switched to cosworths and things fall apart around them.

    Then, they recently switched to toyota engines, now they are slowly fighting back..
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    To be honest i'm surprised to see Subaru leave before Ford. With their trouble in America i'd thought they'd be feeling the pinch more than manufacturers like Suzuki, Subaru and Honda.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dino Scuderia View Post
    Williams has been done for years....incapable of challenging for the c'ship.

    Obviously the problem has been at the top of the team management.
    well I don't want to discuss the current Williams team, I only mentioned them because I don't think that Subaru leaving WRC is such a drama as some people believe it is. From what I hear it also very likely that the "new" WRC (as of 2010) will be contested with no turbo engined non AWD cars, so what is the benefit for Subaru to stay.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

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    Quote Originally Posted by henk4 View Post
    well I don't want to discuss the current Williams team, I only mentioned them because I don't think that Subaru leaving WRC is such a drama as some people believe it is. From what I hear it also very likely that the "new" WRC (as of 2010) will be contested with no turbo engined non AWD cars, so what is the benefit for Subaru to stay.
    And I'm guessing the next who will be removed from the WRC are Mitsubishi LanEvos...

    The only thing that bothers me is that how could the driver maintain their high speeds at loose surfaces WITHOUT the grip of AWD...
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