WRC: Subaru might no longer be "Driven By What's Inside"..
10-04-2004 | 01:19 PM
#16
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 36
From: New York
Originally Posted by AlpineSTI
What kind of affect do you guys think this will take on the actual production of Impreza. I mean of course they would still make a turbo STI or will they?
I sure hope so. The sad thing is that I am sure "FHI/Subaru" were already in progress to complete the 06/07' Impreza models. At least this will save them the headache of having a WRC ready car. I am still awefully mad about this. WRC is just not WRC without Subaru. I don't think there is much hope unless the rules change, because I for one don't believe that FHI is going to invest millions of $$$ to research and develop a transverse 4cyl. motor. Than on top it have it ready in time for the 05 season...
10-04-2004 | 01:26 PM
#17
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As far as I know, all rally cars are based on production versions, so if Subaru has to change their vehicle spec completely for the FIA's future regulations, the future Imprezas would most likely come out of the factories the same spec. STi owners, hang on to your cars, they might become sought-after vehicles in a few years!
"Subaru, Driven by the FIA".
"Subaru, Driven by the FIA".
10-04-2004 | 01:39 PM
#18
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Coloradoan banished to ND
Car Info: 05 2.5RS Wagon Royal Blue Pearl
I can understand this kind of “rules revolution” in a series like F1,IRL,etc. with cars that are not production based. But to do this to a series based on production cars takes from the point of a series that uses homologated cars in the first place. I can see losing boost, exotic trannys, and elec driving aids, but mandating a transverse mount is just writing certain brands out of competition. And what better way to keep other historical rally manufacturers like Porsche and Audi out of competition. I guess the FIA wants to see more CR-Vs and Fiats than STI’s on the line.
10-04-2004 | 03:20 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by brucelee
This would be the dumbest thing ever.
Why not just have everyone drive the same exact damn car while they're at it.
Why not just have everyone drive the same exact damn car while they're at it.
10-04-2004 | 07:16 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by brucelee
This would be the dumbest thing ever.
Why not just have everyone drive the same exact damn car while they're at it.
Why not just have everyone drive the same exact damn car while they're at it.
nascar-
aloha from the summit of *-^-Mauna Kea-^-*
10-05-2004 | 11:19 AM
#24
Instead if making Subaru and other manufactures conform to the new regulations, they should just make new competitors try harder. I bet some vehicle company went and cried like little bioches to the FIA because they wanted to play dodge ball too. Hey, who would sponsor a retard in track n field against a bunch of finely tuned machines in hopes of winning. Thats not just a pipe dream, it unrealistic. If the FIA passes this, rally cross as we know it will cease for all greater Subaru kind. 
10-05-2004 | 12:37 PM
#25
Some more news articles (free registration now required at worldrallynews.com)
VW Rejects Super 2000
Give use the grunt
Its good to see that other manufacturers are saying they don't like S2000. I assume Subaru will lodge a similar complaint. I don't have any predictions about Peugeot and Citroen, but I would guess they aren't happy with the new forumla. They may not formally denounce it, but they definitely don't endorse it 100%.
VW Rejects Super 2000
Skoda Motorsport boss Martin Muehlmeier expressed interest in the cost-saving aspects of Super 2000, but the Volkswagen group, Skoda’s owner, has formally threatened to pull out of rallying if Super 2000 replaces World Rally Cars in 2006.
World Championship leader Sebastien Loeb shares the widespread view that if the FIA wants a new rally formula, it needs to be more powerful than Super 2000.
Last edited by Nick Koan; 10-05-2004 at 12:39 PM.
10-05-2004 | 03:23 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by nKoan
Its good to see that other manufacturers are saying they don't like S2000. I assume Subaru will lodge a similar complaint. I don't have any predictions about Peugeot and Citroen, but I would guess they aren't happy with the new forumla. They may not formally denounce it, but they definitely don't endorse it 100%.
10-05-2004 | 03:29 PM
#27
It might take a while. I'm sure they aren't happy about the rule change, but a lot of people (SWRT, Prodrive, SOE/SOUK, SOJ, FHI) have to discuss the wording before they put out an official announcement. Being a big company, they have to be as diplomatic as possible in their language.
10-07-2004 | 10:51 PM
#29
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 686
From: SoCal
Car Info: PSM 2K2 WRX Wagon
For years I have wondered why they don't use a map when they decide the order of races. For instance, start the season in Monte Carlo, then 3 or 4 races in Europe, fly/ship out to Mexico, then Argentina, go back to Europe for 3 or 4 events & out again to Japan, then New Zealand & then Australia and then back Europe & finally GB. I'm sure it wouldn't save much, but that would be a simple easy way make things a little bit less costly. Another way to lower costs would be to have a spec tire. That doesn't hurt competition too much...
That Super 2000 would be okay as a training series (ala Craftsman trucks or Busch cars) but not as the Main Event. And I see no benefit to mandating a particular engine configuaration. They don't do that in touring racing...
That Super 2000 would be okay as a training series (ala Craftsman trucks or Busch cars) but not as the Main Event. And I see no benefit to mandating a particular engine configuaration. They don't do that in touring racing...