Ohh NOES! Subaru out of WRC!

Zigerus · Post by **Zigerus** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:20 pm

http://secureproxy.us/surf.php?q=aHR0cD ... dyYy5odG1s

Subaru follows Suzuki out of WRC
Eurosport - Tue, 16 Dec 17:47:00 2008

Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, is to pull out of the World Rally Championship citing the global economic crisis.

More StoriesSuzuki pull out of WRC
Honda pulls out of Formula One
The exit leaves just world champions Citroen, owned by PSA Peugeot Citroen, and cash-strapped Ford Motor Co chasing the manufacturers' title next year.

"Our business environment has changed dramatically due to the rapid deterioration of the global economy," Fuji Heavy chief executive Ikuo Mori said in Tokyo.

"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," a tearful Mori said, briefly losing his composure at one point.

Automakers all over the world are under severe pressure to find ways to reduce spending as a sudden downturn in global car demand knocks profitability.

Honda Motor Co, Japan's number two automaker, this month quit Formula One racing for similar reasons, saying it needed the cash for its core auto-making business.

Rallying does not have anything like the budgets of Formula One, where a team like Honda can burn through $500 million a year, and the sport also has a long-standing tradition of private entrants.

"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said David Richards, whose British-based Prodrive company ran the team.

"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."

Still, Subaru's decision will deal a blow to fans, and possibly to its brand image, which the automaker said had helped it expand sales around the world.

Established in 1989, the team won manufacturers' titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and had boasted some of the best drivers in the sport, including Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

Subaru finished in third place of six teams in the manufacturers' championship this year.

Reuters

struka · Post by **struka** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:23 pm

damn, everyone is hurting...

Post by **andysapp** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:34 pm

I just pulled out too.

icantdrift · Post by **icantdrift** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:41 pm

andysapp wrote:I just pulled out too.

hooman's mom?

revel · Post by **revel** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:54 pm

i am beginning to worry for auto racing as a whole

Post by **andysapp** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:59 pm

icantdrift wrote:
andysapp wrote:I just pulled out too.
hooman's mom?

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Man. I miss Hoomers.

Lightning · Post by **Lightning** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:29 pm

revel wrote:i am beginning to worry for auto racing as a whole

same here, next thing we know they wouuld cancel WRC for this year...

revel · Post by **revel** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:38 pm

dont even type that!

PmartyX · Post by **PmartyX** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:41 pm

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:46 am

Subaru is building Camrys in the US

Post by **andysapp** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:41 am

Jefferson at Perimeter will soon be over-run with Subarus then.
Hahaha.

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:46 am

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:47 am

sux. i think wrc is the reason ayebody fell in love to begin with. certainly me.

Rhoad Racing · Post by **Rhoad Racing** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:06 pm

Suzuki pulled out as well. Several days prior to Subaru in fact.
Racing in 2009 is going to be bleak at best

*Edit: my bad. just noticed that you orginal post already stated that Suzuki pulled out (of hooman's mom).

Zigerus · Post by **Zigerus** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:59 pm

charlie wrote:sux. i think wrc is the reason ayebody fell in love to begin with. certainly me.

Same, The last car purchase was highly based off of 2 WRC cars. And low to behold I wound up with a scoobaru