Subaru to enter the WTCC?

awrb · 7 May 2009, 17:21 (Ref:2457354)

TcT seems to think they will.
http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=3439
Would certainly be interesting to see them, but can any car company risk entering the WTCC right now. I can't see it personally, but it could happen.

would they still consider it if BMW and SEAT are (as rumoured) thinking of leaving, and would Lada and Subaru be enough to keep Chevy in the series. Personally, I can't really see this series surviving much longer unless we do have more manufacturers, but I suppose we'll see.

Sodemo · 8 May 2009, 22:21 (Ref:2458286)

This surprises me to be honest.

There is no way of having 4-wheel drive in S2000 is there?

It just doesn't make a lot of sense, as the marketing bods obviously chose rallying due to the 4-wheel drive tech used (much like Audi with the Quattro).
When 4-wheel drive was outlawed in the BTCC in 1998, Audi continued for one year then pulled out.

**FIRE** · 9 May 2009, 08:50 (Ref:2458429)

In the past the Impreza was in some countries also available as FWD. I don't know about the current model.

I assume Subaru wants to use the diesel boxer engine.

The Snout · 21 May 2009, 22:42 (Ref:2466790)

Should change the name to the WGAF.

**FIRE** · 22 May 2009, 09:13 (Ref:2466941)

touring fan01 · 22 May 2009, 11:42 (Ref:2467000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I think he feels they should change the name of the WTCC to WGAF (Who Gives A F**k).

MarkkuAlen86 · 27 May 2009, 16:16 (Ref:2470314)

If Subaru can't afford to keep rallying (which is probably more important to them than touring cars, which they have relative inexperiance in), they can't afford to go World Touring Car racing.

**FIRE** · 27 May 2009, 18:46 (Ref:2470424)

I think WTCC is much, much cheaper as WRC.

Subaru has little or no experience in touring car racing but companies like Triple Eight, Prodrive, Oreca have a lot of experience. Their WRC project was also done by an external company (Prodrive).

THIM · 27 May 2009, 20:04 (Ref:2470476)

But it's important to let them race a 4WD version. Where are the times, when A4 Quattros were battling with Lagunas (BTCC), Vectras and BMWs (STW) and no one complained about weight ballance...

nickyf1 · 27 May 2009, 20:07 (Ref:2470477)

But thats just the BTCC, nobody really complains.. In the WTCC, it will just be as bad as allowing the Diesels in. Nobody complained about the SEAT's in the BTCC did they? Neither did Alan Gow constantly change the rules.

WRC and WTCC (if its still around that is) should be about the same costs next season as the WRC is coverting to S2000, which Subaru is developing a car for.

redshoes · 28 May 2009, 07:35 (Ref:2470723)

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIM

Where are the times, when A4 Quattros were battling with Lagunas (BTCC), Vectras and BMWs (STW) and no one complained about weight ballance...

Audi did

steve nielsen · 28 May 2009, 08:11 (Ref:2470734)

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIM

But it's important to let them race a 4WD version. Where are the times, when A4 Quattros were battling with Lagunas (BTCC), Vectras and BMWs (STW) and no one complained about weight ballance...

They don't even sell Subaru's without 4wd

Valker · 28 May 2009, 09:16 (Ref:2470767)

Well... they don't sell Impreza without 4WD, but there are FWD Subarus on market. For example Justy is always FWD (at least here in Finland).

But I agree, it would be weird in marketing point of view to enter WTCC with Impreza, as 4wd and turbo are what it's know for.

**touringlegend** · 28 May 2009, 09:54 (Ref:2470798)

I may be wrong but I got the impression that the new Impreza was designed to appeal to a wider market, so perhaps having a FWD, normally aspirated racing Impreza would promote the brand the way Subaru wants it to head.

awrb · 28 May 2009, 10:12 (Ref:2470804)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I may be wrong but I got the impression that the new Impreza was designed to appeal to a wider market, so perhaps having a FWD, normally aspirated racing Impreza would promote the brand the way Subaru wants it to head.

That is a good point there, plus, no matter how badly the WTCC's doing, it's better than the WRC right now, and at least has several national TCC's backing it up. Anyway, hopefully developing a touring car and a rally car will be the same thing soon.

werner · 28 May 2009, 12:10 (Ref:2470873)

If Subaru had not failed to build a competitive car for 3 years in a row, they probably still had been there, and the WRC would do just fine. But with only 2 brands it starts to get a bit thin.
Especially since a certain mister Loeb doesn't give anybody a sliver of chance to win the championship, with the championship halfway he has won 5 out of 6 rally's. On the other hand; the best rallydriver in the world is in the WRC, so that is arguably the most important championship.
If I were the management of Subaru, I would stay in the WRC, and just put all possible effort I had in keeping WRC as the pinnacle of rallying and making sure wins would restart coming. Because Subaru = rally.

nickyf1 · 28 May 2009, 13:22 (Ref:2470926)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

If Subaru had not failed to build a competitive car for 3 years in a row, they probably still had been there, and the WRC would do just fine.

Was it not because Subaru had just developed a new car to WRC regs, only to find that S2000 would be introduced next year?

They are developing a car at this moment, and a few bits of that car could be converted to an S2000 Touring Car if the Petrol Turbo 1.6 rules go into effect.

helterskelter · 29 May 2009, 23:12 (Ref:2471898)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickyf1

But thats just the BTCC, nobody really complains.. In the WTCC, it will just be as bad as allowing the Diesels in. Nobody complained about the SEAT's in the BTCC did they?

Vauxhall did. When I interviewed Giovanardi shortly before the season finale, last year, I asked him about the Leòns, and he said that in terms of performance the Vectra was miles off the Leòn's pace, and that he won because he was consistent all yearlong. BTW, tell an Italian guy that Giovanardi has been consistent: he'll be shocked, because during the Italian ST days he was the one who did the show, the one who made it all messy. He had a hard car to drive, the old AR 155, but he was battling so hard that sometimes he'd go a bit over the limit, screw something up and after that win the race. That's how I "fell in love" with him as a kid.

helterskelter · 29 May 2009, 23:16 (Ref:2471901)

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIM

But it's important to let them race a 4WD version. Where are the times, when A4 Quattros were battling with Lagunas (BTCC), Vectras and BMWs (STW) and no one complained about weight ballance...

In Italy they all complained! There was Audi (4WD), BMW (RWD) and Alfa Romeo (FWD). When Audi won with Capello and Pirro everyone complained and I've seen them race live so many times, when coming out of the corners a 4WD is just incredible. No, already too much mess. If Subaru want to enter the championship, please tell them that the existing rules are already screwing up things, no need for another reason to have a good laugh together about how Wtcc is going to die at the end of the year because Subar are winning it all with a 4WD Turbo Diesel car.

stedevil · 30 May 2009, 00:20 (Ref:2471931)

Quote:

Originally Posted by helterskelter

Vauxhall did. When I interviewed Giovanardi shortly before the season finale, last year, I asked him about the Leòns, and he said that in terms of performance the Vectra was miles off the Leòn's pace, and that he won because he was consistent all yearlong.

Indeed. The SEAT was completely overpowered and only failed to win because of numerous engine failures + the team multiple times screwing up (eg not getting the crew off the grid in time sending Plato to the back of the grid or setting incorrect rideheight).

helterskelter · 30 May 2009, 11:59 (Ref:2472109)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stedevil

Indeed. The SEAT was completely overpowered and only failed to win because of numerous engine failures + the team multiple times screwing up (eg not getting the crew off the grid in time sending Plato to the back of the grid or setting incorrect rideheight).

And, knowing that the car could have not finished the next race,Plato had to push too much and sometimes make mistakes.None of his fault, but the car's and the team's. I have a huge respect for NorthernSouth, but they're not Seat Sport, nor Oreca. And they had to challenge a virtually perfect Giovanardi last year.