Subaru out of WRC
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ericsti
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I'd say it is. A lot of teams are pulling out of both the WRC and the F1 due to the credit crunch.
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ericsti
Guest
TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Fuji Heavy Industries (7270.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the maker of Subaru cars, said on Tuesday it would pull out of the world rally championship citing the global economic crisis.
Subaru joins fellow Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp (7269.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which announced its exit a day earlier, and leaves no other Japanese automaker left in the race.
Carmakers all over the world are under severe pressure to reduce spending as they bleed cash due to a sudden downturn in global car demand.
Subaru joins fellow Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp (7269.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which announced its exit a day earlier, and leaves no other Japanese automaker left in the race.
Carmakers all over the world are under severe pressure to reduce spending as they bleed cash due to a sudden downturn in global car demand.
goldenjohn
Octane Boostaholics
STiBrian
Octane Boostaholics
From wrc.com
I'm absolutely gutted
16/12/08
Subaru pulls out of the WRC
Prodrive, the company which runs the team on behalf of Subaru, broke the news at 0900hrs this morning. It said the decision was sudden and had been made in response to the economic downturn currently affecting the automotive industry.
Yesterday Suzuki confirmed it would not be back in 2009 for similar reasons.
The Subaru World Rally Team was established in 1989, when the Japanese manufacturer teamed up with British based motor sport specialists Prodrive. After almost 20 years the 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, said Prodrive chairman David Richards.
Subarus departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sports 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 Prodrives history, our focus now turns to the future.
While the Subaru World Rally Team historically represented a significant part of Prodrives business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of turnover.
Prodrive says it 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.
There is no news yet from Subaru about how the decision will affect Subarus driver Petter Solberg/Phil Mills and Chris Atkinson/Stephane Prevot, or whether the company plans to return to the sport in the future.
Prodrive, however, is already lining up its own rally return saying 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.
Prodrive also pledged to support its own customer rally teams 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.
And from Subarus own site www.swrt.com
Team Features
Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship
16 December 2008
Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship
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 Suzukis 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 worlds most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.
Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: Subarus departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sports 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 Prodrives 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 Prodrives business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the companys 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, Prodrives 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, Prodrives 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, Prodrives 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.
I'm absolutely gutted
16/12/08
Subaru pulls out of the WRC
Prodrive, the company which runs the team on behalf of Subaru, broke the news at 0900hrs this morning. It said the decision was sudden and had been made in response to the economic downturn currently affecting the automotive industry.
Yesterday Suzuki confirmed it would not be back in 2009 for similar reasons.
The Subaru World Rally Team was established in 1989, when the Japanese manufacturer teamed up with British based motor sport specialists Prodrive. After almost 20 years the 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, said Prodrive chairman David Richards.
Subarus departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sports 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 Prodrives history, our focus now turns to the future.
While the Subaru World Rally Team historically represented a significant part of Prodrives business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of turnover.
Prodrive says it 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.
There is no news yet from Subaru about how the decision will affect Subarus driver Petter Solberg/Phil Mills and Chris Atkinson/Stephane Prevot, or whether the company plans to return to the sport in the future.
Prodrive, however, is already lining up its own rally return saying 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.
Prodrive also pledged to support its own customer rally teams 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.
And from Subarus own site www.swrt.com
Team Features
Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship
16 December 2008
Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship
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 Suzukis 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 worlds most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.
Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: Subarus departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sports 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 Prodrives 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 Prodrives business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the companys 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, Prodrives 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, Prodrives 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, Prodrives 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.
briancollins
Octane Boostaholics
H
hiwd
Guest
Damn recession
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ericsti
Guest
No one to blaim but themselves really.
They Killed the Impreza their biggest seller. Have only seen three Sti's and one or two lesser models since its Launch early in the year.
They Killed the Impreza their biggest seller. Have only seen three Sti's and one or two lesser models since its Launch early in the year.
E
ericsti
Guest
Subaru pulls out of the WRC
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 16th 2008, 09:28 GMT
Subaru has made a shock announcement that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
Just 24 hours after Suzuki quit the series, Subaru cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why it will also not continue.
David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.
"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."
Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.
A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.
"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," said the statement.
Subaru has struggled to find form with the Impreza in recent years. The last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. The last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.
The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.
The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.
The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 16th 2008, 09:28 GMT
Subaru has made a shock announcement that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
Just 24 hours after Suzuki quit the series, Subaru cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why it will also not continue.
David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.
"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."
Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.
A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.
"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," said the statement.
Subaru has struggled to find form with the Impreza in recent years. The last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. The last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.
The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.
The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.
The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.
Re: Subaru and world rally
i think this has being coming a long time before now, as they have done nothing in the wrc for years and id say there sponour ship deals have become harder to come across,this and the fact they couldnt sell a car to save there lives,you see very few uk spec hawk eyes and no new shape car,one cause there ugly and two cause there stupid money,if the wrc were to go to a group n spec it world help sell cars again imo,i think the the ford lads have had this problem a good few years now really since the cosworth left the shelves,as ford just dont make a road going rally car any more,now before you all say ,ah but the rs and st,yes but try dont have 4wd and if you look at the sales of ford cosworth of the years towards nowadays,as for shitreon they shouldnt even be aloud into rallying as they dont have a car come even close to a rally car,you loo at the sale of scooby and evos over the years and it tells its own story,you only have to look at a lancia delta integrale and its a prime examlpe road going rally car which has a big fan base even though there a sh*t box thats cost a fortune.
i think another thing that didnt help subaru was petter solberg but you could go on all day about this,for me rally is dead,were does it go from here,s2000 sounds crap
i think this has being coming a long time before now, as they have done nothing in the wrc for years and id say there sponour ship deals have become harder to come across,this and the fact they couldnt sell a car to save there lives,you see very few uk spec hawk eyes and no new shape car,one cause there ugly and two cause there stupid money,if the wrc were to go to a group n spec it world help sell cars again imo,i think the the ford lads have had this problem a good few years now really since the cosworth left the shelves,as ford just dont make a road going rally car any more,now before you all say ,ah but the rs and st,yes but try dont have 4wd and if you look at the sales of ford cosworth of the years towards nowadays,as for shitreon they shouldnt even be aloud into rallying as they dont have a car come even close to a rally car,you loo at the sale of scooby and evos over the years and it tells its own story,you only have to look at a lancia delta integrale and its a prime examlpe road going rally car which has a big fan base even though there a sh*t box thats cost a fortune.
i think another thing that didnt help subaru was petter solberg but you could go on all day about this,for me rally is dead,were does it go from here,s2000 sounds crap
marksscooby
Petrolheads
thats terrible news, wrc wont be the same anymore without subaru if other manufactures end up leaving too the wrc will come to an end 