Katya4me
12-16-2008, 01:19 PM
WRC Super2000 Rules In-Suzuki Out (http://www.autophiles.ca/2008/12/wrc-super-2000-rules-in-suzuki-out/)
There have been major changes in WRC over the past week. It was announced last week that the series would adopt a modified version of the Super 2000 specification rules that are currently being used in the Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC) with great success.
The main difference in the spec between WRC and IRC will be a bolt-on kit that will be provided by a third-party supplier for the WRC teams. Teams will still provide their own 2.0L engines and chassis. But, quick shift transmission, aero package, and turbo setup will all be provided by the series at a cost of around $50,000 CAD.
These new rules were brought in to curb costs for the teams in order for them to continue in the sport. But, today Suzuki has announced they will be pulling out of the series regardless for next year.
Suzuki started its full time campaign in the WRC this year, after being involved in the JWRC since 2002. Though not very competitive in their first year in WRC, they were a team that was hungry and looking to develop a lot more in the future with their Suzuki SX4 WRC piloted by Per-Gunnar Andersson and Toni Gardemeister.
This is not the first and I don’t think it will be the last automotive manufacturer to drop out of a major motorsport series in the next 6-12 months.
Subaru Pulls Out of WRC (http://www.swrt.com/news/latest_news.html?id=1590)
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.
This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s 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 world’s most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.
Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s 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 Prodrive’s 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 Prodrive’s business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the company’s 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, Prodrive’s 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, Prodrive’s 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, Prodrive’s 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.
There have been major changes in WRC over the past week. It was announced last week that the series would adopt a modified version of the Super 2000 specification rules that are currently being used in the Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC) with great success.
The main difference in the spec between WRC and IRC will be a bolt-on kit that will be provided by a third-party supplier for the WRC teams. Teams will still provide their own 2.0L engines and chassis. But, quick shift transmission, aero package, and turbo setup will all be provided by the series at a cost of around $50,000 CAD.
These new rules were brought in to curb costs for the teams in order for them to continue in the sport. But, today Suzuki has announced they will be pulling out of the series regardless for next year.
Suzuki started its full time campaign in the WRC this year, after being involved in the JWRC since 2002. Though not very competitive in their first year in WRC, they were a team that was hungry and looking to develop a lot more in the future with their Suzuki SX4 WRC piloted by Per-Gunnar Andersson and Toni Gardemeister.
This is not the first and I don’t think it will be the last automotive manufacturer to drop out of a major motorsport series in the next 6-12 months.
Subaru Pulls Out of WRC (http://www.swrt.com/news/latest_news.html?id=1590)
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.
This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s 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 world’s most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.
Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s 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 Prodrive’s 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 Prodrive’s business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the company’s 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, Prodrive’s 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, Prodrive’s 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, Prodrive’s 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.