A sad announcement.... Subaru quit WRC

[subbieatnz]

For those who dont know

Car manufacturer Subaru has announced it is to pull out of the World Rally Championship.

Parent Fuji Heavy Industries said it was taking the team out of the competition because of the global economic crisis.
The news comes a day after Suzuki revealed it was dropping out because of the downturn.
Their exit leaves just world champions Citroen, owned by PSA Peugeot Citroen, and cash-strapped US firm Ford chasing the manufacturers' title next year.

The Subaru team became an iconic marque during 20 years in the sport which delivered three constructors titles and three drivers titles from Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg.
Fuji Heavy chief executive Ikuo Mori broke into tears as he delivered the news to journalists in Tokyo.
He said: "Our business environment has changed dramatically due to the rapid deterioration of the global economy.

Honda is another racing casualty.

"In order to optimise the management resources and to strengthen the Subaru brand further, Fuji Heavy decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest time."
Earlier this month Honda, Japan's second-largest car manufacturer, quit Formula One racing saying it needed the cash for its core business.
The moves comes as the global automotive sector is under extreme pressure to cut costs as recession keeps demand alarmingly low.
Both the US and British manufacturers are chasing government cash to help keep their businesses afloat.

got this info off my carclub site this morning

[subeman90]

I have two words: who cares.

Sounds harsh I know but in reality the economy is crap and if quitting WRC is what they need to do to trim the fat a little then I'm all for it. It is much better then going to the government and begging for money.

Others will follow...give it time.

[legacyau]

Having done a tour of prodrive (who build the wrc cars ) last year (i have a mate who works there) it'll be sad for all the people who work there no reason to watch the wrc on the telly now .........

cam

[subbieatnz]

Originally Posted by legacyau

no reason to watch the wrc on the telly now .........

cam

I dont really watch much sports on TV, but i did watch the WRC. mainly to see the subaru rally team lol.

[dcarrb]

I suspect auto racing in general will necessarily go through some big-time changes for the foreseeable future. NASCAR may even revert to a bunch of Appalachian moonshine runnners racing stock cars (which would be way more entertaining than what they're doing now).

dcb

[subeman90]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

NASCAR may even revert to a bunch of Appalachian moonshine runnners racing stock cars (which would be way more entertaining than what they're doing now).

dcb

now that I would watch! Maybe I'll buy a LGT and start racing

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I suspect auto racing in general will necessarily go through some big-time changes for the foreseeable future. NASCAR may even revert to a bunch of Appalachian moonshine runnners racing stock cars (which would be way more entertaining than what they're doing now).

dcb

I have only followed racing that involved cars that I can actually BUY!

nascar USED to only allow cars that were SOLD! They had to sell 500 to the public before they could bring one to the track. This ended in the 70's. That is when my interest in nascar died.

WHERE can I buy a rear wheel drive Focus, Camry or Monti Carlo with a V-8???


AUTO-CROSS!! Run what you BRUNG and hope you brought enough!

[benebob]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I suspect auto racing in general will necessarily go through some big-time changes for the foreseeable future. NASCAR may even revert to a bunch of Appalachian moonshine runnners racing stock cars (which would be way more entertaining than what they're doing now).

dcb

You hit the nail on the head perfectly. Remember what was going on during the original moonshine races... the depression. It is simply a breath of fresh air to take the money once again out of racing and put it back in the hands of those who drive. I'd suspect I'd even watch the WRC again if I only had cable

[blackbolt94red]

That IS sad, but since SPEED stopped covering it two or three years ago I sort of drifted away myself. Gosh, I miss it though. The best racing there is as far as I am concerned.

As for NASCRAP, thats the WWF (Wide Waistband Wresting Fellas) of automobile racing. Really, I should say the road racing circuits are fun to watch, but the round and round stuff is silly.

BCB

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by blackbolt94red

That IS sad, but since SPEED stopped covering it two or three years ago I sort of drifted away myself. Gosh, I miss it though. The best racing there is as far as I am concerned.

As for NASCRAP, thats the WWF (Wide Waistband Wresting Fellas) of automobile racing. Really, I should say the road racing circuits are fun to watch, but the round and round stuff is silly.

BCB

I hit the 'speed' buttons yesterday during my lunch time, some joker was hitting a little ball with a club and I saw about 30 seconds of sky with a little ball flying!

GRRRR!! I wanted to see PARTS flying! I wanted to see CARS flying!!

I don't CARE about golf!! I don't want to see DRIVERS Driving a golf ball, I want to see them driving a CAR!!

It seems that since Subaru quit doing the 'Challenge' for 08, the next part was in the cards too!

[SubaruSVXCrazy]

ARE YOU F***ING SERIOUS?

[benebob]

Originally Posted by SubaruSVXCrazy

ARE YOU F***ING SERIOUS?

Tell us what you really think!

[subi-crosser]

all gone Ben

[SubaruSVXCrazy]

Originally Posted by benebob

I really don't think one's personal choice in bed had anything to do with it and I for one take offense to your ignorant use of English.

Sorry benebob I apologize your right.

[TomsSVX]

Funny. Subaru withdrawls as a business decision to cut costs... But Ford is still in it?? Now I know why everyone is so pissed about the bail-out

Tom