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Detroit, 1:19 PM
Sun Nov 29
11 posts in the last 24 hours
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12/16/08
12/16/08
But they will. The legacy (natch) of rallying and the WRX is only one piece of Subaru's business. They really made their sales mark in the States with the Outback, not the WRX. You can see how the new Imprezas are more conventional in both styling and dynamics. Same with the Forester/Tribeca. They're just trying to measure up to Toyota with a full-featured lineup, and given the cut-throat global business turn, I don't blame them. The WRX will live, but there may not even be another "true" STI...it'll probably live on as a WRX trim level.
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And now S2000 rules are taking this a step further. It will eventually kill group N rallying for Lancer Evo RS and Impreza STI Spec C. The demise of both Evo and STI as rally focused cars is already in progress. Eventually they will just stop bothering with making great rally focused cars for mass market.
Ford didn't even try making an AWD Focus RS. Not the first time, not now with its ridiculous 300 HP FWD car. Group A homologation special rules would have forced Ford to make at least 2500 examples of Focus RS. Not the FWD torque steering monster but an AWD, 2 litre turbo in order to compete in WRC.
And maybe, just maybe, Citroen would have finally be forced to make a decent performance car for mass market. We all know they can do it, but why bother if you don't have to?
What I'm saying is, FIA should reinstate group A rules AND homologation specials rules. It would make customers happier, great performance cars abundant and rallying cheaper.
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12/16/08
The FIA is forcing Subaru out of the WRC with its S2000 spec rules, which are wholly incompatible with the cars Subaru sells ... and races. Why should Subaru throw an eight-figure budget at a series that will force them out at the end of the season?
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2010: The mall-inspired Forester, filling the vaguely-defined lifestyle niche between Toyota and Audi.
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[uk]
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It's OK because someone will fill the void.
Make way for the Tata NASCAR entry!
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For Subaru, who get literally all their marketing from WRC to pull out is pretty damn serious.
Still. Let's go the whole hog. Let's pull all the major world-stage, corporate sponsored motorsport events. All gone.
Who knows? This way maybe the profile of LeMons, Autocross, and hundreds of other less known sports can be raised and get the attention they deserve.
Unrealistic, I know. But a shift in focus away from the big international formulas could actually give motorsport a much needed shot in the arm.
12/16/08
Maybe US Network Television will begin to actually broadcast the series instead of just picking up a few measly highlights online.
Maybe Santa Claus is real.
12/16/08
Hey man, don't jack with Santa Claus.
Ever since we found the remains of Grandma after being hit by a three-ton steel sled driven at twice the speed limit by a fat guy and reindeer, me and Grandpa have been believers.
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you know what, screw Subaru, screw Prodrive..
There should be a revolution in WRC. i hope alfa and lancia go back to Rallying and bring the sport back to the thrill it used to bring.
If Skoda can do it, ANYONE could do it !
12/16/08
I would love to see a new Lancia Delta Integrale, or, dare I say, a Stratos, flying around rally courses.
Too bad it won't be happening any time soon.
12/16/08
I see a danger of WRC going the way of NASCAR and Formula One; they're looking at increasing the number of rules quite dramatically over the next few seasons, and I suspect it's just a matter of time until you're seeing rally "cars of tomorrow" that have no relationship to the actual car being sold on a lot.
As I said yesterday, thankfully we've still got the V8 Supercars.
12/16/08
Sounds like a bad move to me.
12/16/08