Darkshadow
Petrolheads
The last month of 2007 saw the first test sessions of the new Subaru Impreza WRC car in Warwickshire, UK, with additional shakedown runs over gravel and tarmac surfaces to be conducted soon by drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson.
The 2008 model will not be making its debut on the World Rally Championship circuit for several months yet, however. Although a first appearance at the end of April was often mentioned, a definite date has yet to be decided upon.
"We're delighted to see the car running, and the early results were very positive," declared Richard Taylor, the Subaru World Rally Team's Managing Director. "It's far too early to say when we will use the car competitively for the first time, though."
As is always the case, the first rally participation of any brand new car will only be announced when the team feels confident that reliability and other development issues have been thoroughly worked out.
"We need to get a lot more running time under our belts before we make that kind of decision," explained Taylor, before adding that team personnel also had other crucial things to deal with simultaneously: "At the same time, we still have to retain a focus on the start of the year with the current car."
The 2007 season was not an easy one for Subaru, admitted the team boss. "Times have been tough around here, there's no denying that," he said. "But through all of that, the team in Banbury has been incredible."
Despite the ongoing work on the new 2008 Impreza, early impressions regarding the next Subaru WRC car have already generated good feelings, revealed Taylor: "Morale is great within the team and we're all looking forward to getting the New Year under way."
In other Subaru news, after racing for the team during the latter part of the 2007 season, it has been confirmed that Xevi Pons will not be returning for the 2008 campaign.
The 2008 model will not be making its debut on the World Rally Championship circuit for several months yet, however. Although a first appearance at the end of April was often mentioned, a definite date has yet to be decided upon.
"We're delighted to see the car running, and the early results were very positive," declared Richard Taylor, the Subaru World Rally Team's Managing Director. "It's far too early to say when we will use the car competitively for the first time, though."
As is always the case, the first rally participation of any brand new car will only be announced when the team feels confident that reliability and other development issues have been thoroughly worked out.
"We need to get a lot more running time under our belts before we make that kind of decision," explained Taylor, before adding that team personnel also had other crucial things to deal with simultaneously: "At the same time, we still have to retain a focus on the start of the year with the current car."
The 2007 season was not an easy one for Subaru, admitted the team boss. "Times have been tough around here, there's no denying that," he said. "But through all of that, the team in Banbury has been incredible."
Despite the ongoing work on the new 2008 Impreza, early impressions regarding the next Subaru WRC car have already generated good feelings, revealed Taylor: "Morale is great within the team and we're all looking forward to getting the New Year under way."
In other Subaru news, after racing for the team during the latter part of the 2007 season, it has been confirmed that Xevi Pons will not be returning for the 2008 campaign.
