Subaru Pulls out of World Rally Championship
12-16-2008, 09:35 AM
#1
Trolling Canuckistan
Thread Starter
Subaru Pulls out of World Rally Championship
A sign of the times apparently....
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081216/FREE/812169995
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081216/FREE/812169995
Subaru and rally competition have been synonymous for nearly 20 years, but in a surprising move, the company said on Tuesday that it is pulling out of the 2009 World Rally Championship in response to the global economic crisis.
The Prodrive-run Subaru team has won six WRC titles--three manufacturer's and three driver's--and built up a strong following around the world. In turn, rally success has helped Subaru sell sporty cars and burnish its image with enthusiasts, in the process making the blue Impreza rally car an icon.
The announcement came from Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, which said it had met its objectives for WRC competition.
Prodrive said it will prepare to re-enter competition in 2010 with a new team, as new technical regulations are introduced.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," Prodrive chairman Dave Richards said in a statement.
"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."
On Monday, Suzuki said it would withdraw from the WRC. The departures leave the series without a Japanese automaker.
The news sends another chill through the racing world following word that Honda is pulling out of Formula One competition and Audi is leaving the American Le Mans Series.
The Prodrive-run Subaru team has won six WRC titles--three manufacturer's and three driver's--and built up a strong following around the world. In turn, rally success has helped Subaru sell sporty cars and burnish its image with enthusiasts, in the process making the blue Impreza rally car an icon.
The announcement came from Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, which said it had met its objectives for WRC competition.
Prodrive said it will prepare to re-enter competition in 2010 with a new team, as new technical regulations are introduced.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," Prodrive chairman Dave Richards said in a statement.
"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."
On Monday, Suzuki said it would withdraw from the WRC. The departures leave the series without a Japanese automaker.
The news sends another chill through the racing world following word that Honda is pulling out of Formula One competition and Audi is leaving the American Le Mans Series.
12-16-2008, 12:07 PM
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
Wow! This is getting nuts.
What happens when the big 3 go into BK......do they bail-out of NASCAR?
Professional autoracing is in danger.
What happens when the big 3 go into BK......do they bail-out of NASCAR?
Professional autoracing is in danger.
12-16-2008, 01:39 PM
#3
6G TLX-S
The whole auto industry is suffering from increasingly poor sales worldwide. Auto makers are all trying to conserve cash. So expect to see more pullouts in all categories of auto racing series.
12-16-2008, 04:11 PM
#4
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I was kinda doing a NASCAR assessment the other day myself moog. Having no knowledge of the level of the Big 3's involvement other than providing customers with paid for engines, I wonder how much money they would save by not racing? They don't build engines for the teams nor chassis', some of the transmissions are built by Tremec, the "bodies" are made by the teams following a template sooooooo . . . . . 
I believe the mfr's do pump some $$ into the sport but I don't believe it's anywhere near the levels found in F1 or ALMS
I believe the mfr's do pump some $$ into the sport but I don't believe it's anywhere near the levels found in F1 or ALMS
12-17-2008, 02:00 PM
#6
The sizzle in the Steak
I was kinda doing a NASCAR assessment the other day myself moog. Having no knowledge of the level of the Big 3's involvement other than providing customers with paid for engines, I wonder how much money they would save by not racing? They don't build engines for the teams nor chassis', some of the transmissions are built by Tremec, the "bodies" are made by the teams following a template sooooooo . . . . . I believe the mfr's do pump some $$ into the sport but I don't believe it's anywhere near the levels found in F1 or ALMS
I believe the mfr's do pump some $$ into the sport but I don't believe it's anywhere near the levels found in F1 or ALMS
12-18-2008, 12:10 PM
#7
Trolling Canuckistan
Thread Starter
NASCAR, as expensive as it is, is still a relatively inexpensive form of racing. I don't think any of the Big 3 dropping out would save them the kind of money Honda saved by dropping out of F1. I've never heard of the cost of feilding a WRC team, but I would imagine with the amount of travel that car for car it is still a lot more than NASCAR.
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