Subaru joins the IRC?

[steve_spackman]

A Portuguese website is reporting that Subaru will be soon announcing their intentions to enter the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.


Their sources states that the Japanese manufacturer will sign up with the IRC and field a car in their production Group N class. Despite having canceled its program in the WRC, Subaru believes in the potential of the Impreza with new rules.


http://autosport.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=as.stories/65838

[Mirek]

Repost ;)

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131567

[steve_spackman]

]Repost ;)

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131567

oops sorry didnt see that one there.

[A.F.F.]

Despite having canceled its program in the WRC, Subaru believes in the potential of the Impreza with new rules.



...or in other words; Despite having canceled it's program in the WRC, Subaru believes in the potential in the IRC :D

[urabus-denoS2000]

So basically they have just registered as a manufacter?

No works involment or something...

[mjh]

...or in other words; Despite having canceled it's program in the WRC, Subaru believes in the potential in the IRC :D

.... or in other words they've realised their car is a dog and unlikely to win anything against Ford and Citroen so they've relegated themselves to the 'second tier' competition :p

[Mirek]

So basically they have just registered as a manufacter?

No works involment or something...

Yes, they should only be registered, no works team or something like that. Tegistration is good for for Subaru customers as they will no longer be ignored by IRC media coverage.

[RS]

.... or in other words they've realised their car is a dog and unlikely to win anything against Ford and Citroen so they've relegated themselves to the 'second tier' competition :p

They are unlikely to win much in IRC either, apart from perhaps Safari and Japan. But as has been said, this is good for their customers and also good for them as a brand. I would have thought the IRC registration fee is not very much in return for the tv coverage they will get on any rounds where they do perform ok.

[Viking]

"I am still talking a lot with Subaru in Japan" Petter Solberg says to Norwegian newspaper, "for all I know I will one day be driving an Subaru again"

hmmm :)

[koko0703]

I don't think Subaru will enter any of circuit racing in near future as a works team, and the biggest likelihood of their return to a motorsport scene must be rallying. Then I think it's good maintain some tie to rallying with minimum investment.

[ProRally]

Also just heard that the Impreza Diesel cup in France is cancelled....
Due to the 'unfavorable' economic times

[SanjayKumar]

Since it's Group N they're competing in, I wonder if there's any way Travis Pastrana could possibly see some action.

[Sulland]

Pastrana in IRC would be a scoop, maybe IRC will beat WRC on getting a US round as well !

[Shrike]

IRC in the US would be a dream come true for us rally deprived Americans. But that most likely will never happen :(

[gloomyDAY]

IRC in the US would be a dream come true for us rally deprived Americans. But that most likely will never happen :( Stop being so pessimistic.

[SanjayKumar]

IRC in the US would be a dream come true for us rally deprived Americans. But that most likely will never happen :(

I'm not saying an American event right now, but say if Pastrana entered the IRC under Subaru USA for a few events and there was some popularity that came of it, then perhaps a rally is a few years down the road.

[Donney]

There's a New Subaru Rally Team announced in Spain to do the asphalt and the gravel championships.

[Daniel]

Also just heard that the Impreza Diesel cup in France is cancelled....
Due to the 'unfavorable' economic times

Impreza Diesel cup..... sounds like a ball of fun!

[LP]

maybe French members can give some links to any specifications or photos of the Impreza diesel cup car?