Subaru pull out of WRC, joining Suzuki

[SV21]

Subaru pull out of WRC, joining Suzuki

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/16/2448307.htm

Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, says it will pull out of the World Rally Championship (WRC) citing the global economic crisis.

Subaru joins fellow Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp, which announced its exit a day earlier, and leaves no other Japanese auto-maker left in the race.

Car-makers all over the world are under severe pressure to reduce spending as they bleed cash due to a sudden downturn in global car demand.

Honda Motor Co, Japan's number two automaker, this month quit Formula One racing for similar reasons.

[TRDYUS]

Wow, this is surprising.

:(

[Leroy]

Woah...someone fill me in, please (I clearly haven't followed wrc since 2004)

No other Japanese manufacturer? When the hell did mitsubishi exit?

Edited December 16, 2008 by Leroy

[bozurolla]

Thats a shocker,first Honda pull out of F1 & now this...

I'm pretty sure the Japanese won't pull out of 'all' the motorsports platforms just its shame they pullout of the top shelf racing catergories of WRC & F1.

Apparently Subaru was going to pull out because of the proposed FIA changes (to cut costs) to the S2000 (NA)& S2000 plus (bolt on turbo) catergory being FR the 4wd giant no longer wanted to compete.

As long as I get my SuperGT/Better motor int/Option magazine fix i think i'll be ok.

[SuperDave]

WRC is now a 2 horse race :(

Mitsubishi left a few years after Makinnen retired, Evo 8, so about 2003? I'm sure Wikipedia has the answer.

[MT]

Yeah you are right SuperDave.

Its terrible for rallying in general (because Ford and Citreon are boring), but even more terrible for Chris Atkinson who no longer has a drive. Needs to fund himself, again.

[CORZZA]

They want to move more into tarmac rally

[MT]

They want to move more into tarmac rally

Where did u read that Petey? I'm interested in knowing more...

[SuperDave]

I'm no WRC expert, but am I correct in assuming that the homologation rules are in the area between no longer happens and 'meh, that passes'?

Reason I ask is where are the turbo 4wd Citroen's and Ford's?

[CORZZA]

They want to move more into tarmac rally

Where did u read that Petey? I'm interested in knowing more...

Mike a mate of mine who works at subaru let me onto that track :)

[xoom]

They want to move more into tarmac rally

Where did u read that Petey? I'm interested in knowing more...

Mike a mate of mine who works at subaru let me onto that track :)

wouldnt believe a single word petey boy types .... since he's usually full of zebra s.h1t :P :P :P

just bcuz a mate that works @ subaru let u drive the test drive impreza in the carpark doesnt mean they are getting into tarmac rally :P :P :P :P :P

[MT]

Petey, no one in australia knows anything about World Rally, its got nothing to do with them.

The reason Subaru Australia stopped rallying is because the Impreza came out with a 2.5ltr engine, and aussie rally rules state 2ltr turbocharged max.

I'd say Dave is on the right track, and there is no homologation models for them to base the car off with the changes that are inevitable in World Rally.

But to answer Dave's question, I do not know, but I would not mind one :P

[CORZZA]

Hes just come back from the UK working over at a couple of Subaru dealerships in and around london.

Hey Billy boy you knob lol! How you been? Whats cracking with the 2zz weaponry?

[TRD SPORTIVO]

Atkinson joins Citroen jr team to contest in at least the first rally in Ireland, came in 5th

[KevO]

im so way behind in rallying but seems like the economic crisis has affected everyone unfortunately.

[TRD SPORTIVO]

im so way behind in rallying but seems like the economic crisis has affected everyone unfortunately.

Your so right, most of the big players are moving out, however citroen just doubled their output by creating their junior team to run alongside the frontline drivers, weird considering everyone else, they must be making alot

[KevO]

citroen making money... i wonder how

[TRD SPORTIVO]

citroen making money... i wonder how

yr right, guess quality is not an issue with some people anymore, just a cheapish car, plus their success in the last couple of years in the wrc may be doing its thing over there