| WJM | 12-06-2004 09:16 PM |
SUBARU Motorports Presence...
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So SUBARU is into Drag racing...ESX...
Rally with the US and WRC teams...
Road course? Not is USA...over in JAPAN yeah...why not here?
NASCAR....pull a toyota? Hmmm...could SUBARU build a V8? im sure they could....but who wants to turn left all afternoon....
My real question is why doesnt SUBARU go after some road course stuff US/World wide? like LeMans 24 hrs, or Speed World Challenge or soemthing like that...maybe get back into Formula One?
Im speculating...but I'd really like to hear some honest answers and other speculation.
Rally with the US and WRC teams...
Road course? Not is USA...over in JAPAN yeah...why not here?
NASCAR....pull a toyota? Hmmm...could SUBARU build a V8? im sure they could....but who wants to turn left all afternoon....
My real question is why doesnt SUBARU go after some road course stuff US/World wide? like LeMans 24 hrs, or Speed World Challenge or soemthing like that...maybe get back into Formula One?
Im speculating...but I'd really like to hear some honest answers and other speculation.
| Butt Dyno | 12-06-2004 09:24 PM |
Is Formula 1 in Subaru's interest?
Wait and see about World Challenge, the WRX wasn't legal until just recently.
john
Wait and see about World Challenge, the WRX wasn't legal until just recently.
john
| speedyHAM | 12-06-2004 09:37 PM |
Back in the day (early to mid 90's) Subaru was looking into an F1 spot. After some initial designs and engine workups it was decided that F1 was not the venue that they wanted to be known for. Thus, the WRC push in the early 90's that led to championships from '95 through '97. They figured they could better market their cars in WRC than in F1. Judging by the number of WRX's sold since '02 when they brought it over I'd say they were right. With Road Racing here in the US- they have to believe it would be worth the return and like ButtDyno said- the WRX wasn't legal until recently.
LeMans 24 hours is a different story all together. Those cars are far beyond the capabilities of a WRX or STI. The GT cars are mostly porsche's and an M3 here and there. While I think it would be cool to see, I don't think you could make an STI fast enough to compete.
LeMans 24 hours is a different story all together. Those cars are far beyond the capabilities of a WRX or STI. The GT cars are mostly porsche's and an M3 here and there. While I think it would be cool to see, I don't think you could make an STI fast enough to compete.
| Midnight_Gold | 12-06-2004 09:53 PM |
At the end of the day, Subaru's number one intention is to make money. Rally here in the US was lots of fun, but I doubt Subaru sold a lot of cars on account of how awesome that last rally car looked catching air during a hill climb. I'd venture a guess that that's one of the reasons Subaru pulled out.
F1 and WC would require existing winning teams. I doubt Subaru (or any other make for that matter) would jump head first into an unkown quantity in racing.
Anyways... I wouldn't hold my breath right away.. at least not for F1. Speedy's right about WC: Subaru eligibility is in its infant stage right now... I'd like to think one day I'll be able to find myself in its mid teens stage myself.. hope Subaru goes for it too..
~ Miranda
F1 and WC would require existing winning teams. I doubt Subaru (or any other make for that matter) would jump head first into an unkown quantity in racing.
Anyways... I wouldn't hold my breath right away.. at least not for F1. Speedy's right about WC: Subaru eligibility is in its infant stage right now... I'd like to think one day I'll be able to find myself in its mid teens stage myself.. hope Subaru goes for it too..
~ Miranda
| scobaru | 12-06-2004 10:16 PM |
weres that picture of the boxer 12 motor heheh
| ANZAC_1915 | 12-06-2004 10:34 PM |
[QUOTE=WJM]Rally with the US and WRC teams...
[/QUOTE]
There is no longer a Subaru USA rally team.
[/QUOTE]
There is no longer a Subaru USA rally team.
| GarySheehan | 12-06-2004 10:37 PM |
You will see Subaru competing a little bit more in road racing this year, but not at the level us roadracing fans really want to see. Not just yet, anyway.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
| WJM | 12-07-2004 08:51 AM |
Maybe its time to pull the 89 RX out of its grave and do some NASA/SCCA racing with it... :devil:
| Corey | 12-07-2004 10:42 AM |
Need I remind you that Subaru got their feet a little wet in SCCA club racing last year with a T1 STi? Although the car wasn't competitive, it set a good benchmark so that the data was there to support a re-class of the car.
Subaru is around, they just aren't "in your face" yet.
Corey #89 STS
Subaru is around, they just aren't "in your face" yet.
Corey #89 STS
| pezman04wrx | 12-07-2004 01:32 PM |
Have to agree that I would love to see more Subaru cars out there ... Road racing is cool, it just seems that we're in the wrong classes for cars ... Isn't the T1 series the one with all the vette's? STI's are great cars and all, but they should be in another class ... Myself, I've always wondered why they're not more prevelant in the scca series ... Not sure which one it is, I'm so racing savvy I know, but it usually has the smaller Audi's, Maxda Protoge's, Acura RSX's, Mazda RX8's and alike ... It'd be a great class for the Subie's IMO ... If they really had to they could put them with the "big brother" class, that has the better, bigger Audi's, Vette's, Caddilac's and such, but I think the first class I tried to describe would be ideal ...
| Penguinking | 12-07-2004 02:21 PM |
wasn't there talk on this board earlier of a "spec-impreza" or all subaru class? that might be a good place to start road racing subarus
| WJM | 12-07-2004 02:37 PM |
Yep. Porter is talking everyone's ears off about it. I like the idea.
| Got Pink? | 12-07-2004 02:40 PM |
The STi was reclassed in club racing from T-1 with the vettes to T-2 with the F-bodys, stangs, 350z, s2k and vette engined caddy for 05 where they should be competitive.
One reason why there are much more other brands in racing is that they have had factory fast cars available in the US for much longer than subaru. Porsches have been around forever and BMW's for a few decades too as well as audi's and american muscle even other japanese cars have been around since the early 90s whereas subaru didn't get sporty here until the 2.5rs in 98, and really not in the big leagues until 02 with the wrx and a factory racer in the STi in 04.
Althought they do a good job supporting racing, mazda is even better with a program for cheap parts for all racers and supporting stuff like spec rx7 and spec miata at many levels.
F1 is wayyy to costly for the return for Subaru and WRC was a better choice as it is really better aligned to the products they sell.
Nate
One reason why there are much more other brands in racing is that they have had factory fast cars available in the US for much longer than subaru. Porsches have been around forever and BMW's for a few decades too as well as audi's and american muscle even other japanese cars have been around since the early 90s whereas subaru didn't get sporty here until the 2.5rs in 98, and really not in the big leagues until 02 with the wrx and a factory racer in the STi in 04.
Althought they do a good job supporting racing, mazda is even better with a program for cheap parts for all racers and supporting stuff like spec rx7 and spec miata at many levels.
F1 is wayyy to costly for the return for Subaru and WRC was a better choice as it is really better aligned to the products they sell.
Nate
| randy zimmer | 12-07-2004 02:54 PM |
"other brands in racing is that they have had factory fast cars available in the US"
like Lexus and Cadillac, right?
it takes committment and money.
rz
like Lexus and Cadillac, right?
it takes committment and money.
rz
| Penguinking | 12-07-2004 03:05 PM |
i want to keep pushing the idea for a subaru "spec impreza" racing series but i don't know who the right people are to talk to... i'm just hoping those people are listening and reading the boards :-P
think we could put something together to have a series and a schedule for '06? that'd be awesome.
think we could put something together to have a series and a schedule for '06? that'd be awesome.
| GarySheehan | 12-07-2004 03:18 PM |
[QUOTE=Penguinking]i want to keep pushing the idea for a subaru "spec impreza" racing series but i don't know who the right people are to talk to... i'm just hoping those people are listening and reading the boards :-P
think we could put something together to have a series and a schedule for '06? that'd be awesome.[/QUOTE]
I don't think it could happen. Not enough interest.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
think we could put something together to have a series and a schedule for '06? that'd be awesome.[/QUOTE]
I don't think it could happen. Not enough interest.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
| TyrannoSullyRex | 12-07-2004 03:34 PM |
[QUOTE=GarySheehan]I don't think it could happen. Not enough interest.[/QUOTE]
Plus the available car base isn't there like Spec RX-7, Spec Miata and American Iron in NASA.
Plus the available car base isn't there like Spec RX-7, Spec Miata and American Iron in NASA.
| turboICE | 12-07-2004 04:32 PM |
The interest isn't there because the cars and parts cost too much to start a spec class, with far too low of a following. The number of impreza performance enthusiasts is just too low.
| WJM | 12-07-2004 06:40 PM |
That and RX owners who care about the car dont like to spend money on them and complain there is no aftermarket...and when i braught that aftermarket to them...I got some who jumped right into it....the other 95% said thats to expensive, come back when its $25 instead of $400.
| smorris | 12-07-2004 07:03 PM |
The best thing we can do to persuade Suabru to get involved in Road Racing here in the US is for more individuals to buck up and get out there on their own. I know it is extremely exspensive to run a full season, but that does not mean you can not run a few times a year. While SCCA does not have a Nationally recognized class for race prep Subarus ( more mods than T-1 ot 2 allows) most Regions have a class for cars that do not fit the National mold. That is what I have done. I spoke with the local officials and atleast right now they are going to allow me to run in a regional class. Even if they place me in a division where I am out matched atleast I will be getting some track time,and putting myself and my car out there to be seen. It is a hard sell to try and get something from someone when you are not willing to give of or prove your dedication to the idea first.
| turboICE | 12-07-2004 07:22 PM |
What class are they putting you in? Besides there ARE other sanctioning bodies beyond and more forward looking than SCCA... EMRA has all the Subarus classed in their sprint and enduro series.
| scobaru | 12-07-2004 07:45 PM |
[IMG]http://www.iwoc.co.uk/images/subaru/subaruflat12.jpg[/IMG]
| WJM | 12-07-2004 07:52 PM |
Ah, there it is. Beat me to it I see.
| smorris | 12-07-2004 07:58 PM |
ITE (improved touring) i plan on running with NASA and The Texas road race championship.
| gpatmac | 12-07-2004 08:11 PM |
Wow, and it's horizontally opposed, too.:eek:
| Blaze | 12-07-2004 09:04 PM |
There is an STi in the GT300 in JGTC ..... thats road course mostly.
| Penguinking | 12-07-2004 10:03 PM |
i thought it was a wrx in the JGTC?
oh well, so i guess a subaru series isnt in the cards right now. how do you suggest subaru get involved in road racing then?
btw that flat 12 is amazing - reminds me of the flat 12 porsche put in the 917's
oh well, so i guess a subaru series isnt in the cards right now. how do you suggest subaru get involved in road racing then?
btw that flat 12 is amazing - reminds me of the flat 12 porsche put in the 917's
| Butt Dyno | 12-07-2004 11:12 PM |
[QUOTE=Blaze]There is an STi in the GT300 in JGTC ..... thats road course mostly.[/QUOTE]Mostly?
[img]http://www.cusco.co.jp/03media/gttop_2_2a.gif[/img]
I can't see that going offroad :)
[img]http://www.cusco.co.jp/03media/gttop_2_2a.gif[/img]
I can't see that going offroad :)
| smorris | 12-07-2004 11:23 PM |
I can assure you guys that Subaru will more than likely not show any interest in Road Racing untill we take more action with our interest. Rather than just wish they would; show them you will. ( If you build it (a following) they will come.) I can not speak for him, but I am sure one reason Gary was able to get the support he did was he showed the dedication to actually living the idea not just dreaming it. With his actions came our cheers, praises, and support. So followed Subaru.
| Foxy | 12-08-2004 11:47 AM |
There's a thread over in the News and Rumors section where FHI's CEO basically said that Subaru will stay with the WRC, and that road course racing is 'artificial' and doesn't really apply to Subarus.
[url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678242[/url]
[quote]In a wide ranging discussion, Mr Takenaka said Subaru was committed to competing in the World Rally Championship on a long term basis.
"There is a commonality between the WRC and our products and the events are held on public roads. People can see how our cars perform in real world situations."
He said Subaru would not become involved in any form of international motor racing because it was held on artificial tracks that had little relevance to every day driving.
"We've developed in WRC and will continue to do so."[/quote]
[url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678242[/url]
[quote]In a wide ranging discussion, Mr Takenaka said Subaru was committed to competing in the World Rally Championship on a long term basis.
"There is a commonality between the WRC and our products and the events are held on public roads. People can see how our cars perform in real world situations."
He said Subaru would not become involved in any form of international motor racing because it was held on artificial tracks that had little relevance to every day driving.
"We've developed in WRC and will continue to do so."[/quote]
| Apex Rex | 12-08-2004 02:43 PM |
If someone was to take the initiative and prep a Suby for road-racing, and they built up a following, large enough, Subaru might take notice and begin to look into the possibility of getting into road-racing. I know that Id be following any Suby ventures into road racing as closely as I could, until I had a chance at joining up with a team or something then it would be a whole new ball-game :)
| turboICE | 12-08-2004 02:51 PM |
That isn't the way it works. The factory either believes a section of motorsports will help their sales of vehicles or it doesn't - you already bought a subaru. A successful effort by a team in a make being followed by those who already own the make does not equate into the manufacturer fielding teams in that section of motorsports.
Ferrari is the only manufacturer that sells cars so it can race - the rest race so they can sell cars and Subaru does not see road racing as selling their cars, they see rally as selling their cars. It is a corporate view that will take more than a few teams successfully fielding Subarus to change. Heck they don't even see American rally as selling their cars.
If you look at how SOA treats performance enthusiasts and their desires they definitely are not going to be the ones pushing for fielding a Subaru road racing team. It just isn't how they market their cars.
Ferrari is the only manufacturer that sells cars so it can race - the rest race so they can sell cars and Subaru does not see road racing as selling their cars, they see rally as selling their cars. It is a corporate view that will take more than a few teams successfully fielding Subarus to change. Heck they don't even see American rally as selling their cars.
If you look at how SOA treats performance enthusiasts and their desires they definitely are not going to be the ones pushing for fielding a Subaru road racing team. It just isn't how they market their cars.
| smorris | 12-08-2004 02:53 PM |
I agree. I am trying to get a team going down here in Texas. Time and money are hard for people to come by so at this point it is currently being funded out of pocket. Which I do not need to tell anyone canhet very costly, butif we are to develop a good car as well as a good reputation, I think we will be able to eventually get Subaru interested in it. If not internationaly then atleast locally. If not with us then atlest another group like ours. While subaru may be slow to take interest, show them there is a market with aftermarket supporters. The backing does not have to be a check issued by Subaru. Chevrolet does not fund every Nascar team that runs a monte carlo.
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