Subaru Out

[William Hall]

This have been mentioned in another thread, but i think it deserves it's own, given Honda and Suzuki's withdrawals in the recent weeks.

http://www.swrt.com/news/latest_news.html?id=1590

Honda and Suzuki have been relative newcomers to their respective disciplines (Yes Honda have been engine suppliers in the past but as a team, only recently), but Subaru out of the World Rally Championship is similar to Ferrari pulling out of F1.

Am I alone in thinking this?
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[lachlan]

OMG!!! I didn't see that coming :( what a shame. I thought Subaru would be the last team to leave.

Well the WRC is stuffed now....

[wrxwrc]

I CANT BELIEVE THIS!!! This is a massive massive dissappointment...this is huge!
But i guess the writing was on the wall with the announcement of S2000 in 2010, but still, NO SUBARU!!
In shock...walks away sad!

[minh427]

That only leaves Ford and Citroen, thats ridiculous.

[brchi17]

wow, I didn't see that coming, I wonder if their ugly duck had anything to do with it :eek: !!!

[SWRT]

Where to now for Chris Atkinson?
Maybe I should change my username with no Subaru Word Rally Team?

[wazza002]

Thats is sad news. Hope they come back in and race again. its will be strange not to see them race.:(

[Chev_350]

Sounds like they are taking a year out to develop the S2000 car, If I have read the article right.

[brchi17]

Sounds like they are taking a year out to develop the S2000 car, If I have read the article right.

I read it to mean Prodrive would/could be (but not known who for), but Subaru would be out, just my interpretation of course :(

[malscar]

They were going to pull out the end of next year anyway but brought it forward due to what is happening with the economy. I wonder how close to the brink FHI is to going under like GM etc.

http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home/index.php?opt ion=com_content&task=view&id=3307&Itemid=2

[rex555]

Ruined my week, thats for sure.

If Subaru are strugling than its their own fault. They built cars that people just don't want. The new Impreza hasn't set the world on fire and the Tribeca is the ugliest car on the road. The Forester is just another large soft roader as well. Lost the plot, they have.

[singer]

IIRC GM took a HUGE stake in FHI when FHI were in financial difficulties (on the verge of Bankruptcy). When GM took what they wanted out of FHI, the IP to the AWD system, GM sold/bailed out their share back to FHI.

With the current Glibal Financial Mess, FHI can't afford to participate in the WRC without the backing of GM?

[rex555]

IIRC GM took a HUGE stake in FHI when FHI were in financial difficulties (on the verge of Bankruptcy). When GM took what they wanted out of FHI, the IP to the AWD system, GM sold/bailed out their share back to FHI.

With the current Glibal Financial Mess, FHI can't afford to participate in the WRC without the backing of GM?

Apparently after they took GMs money, FHI refused to part with their AWD technology which is why GMH did the job they did with their AWD wagon. GMs share was purchased by Toyota who wanted access to FHIs battery technology.

[ViperSRT10]

A real shame, I guess they are just going to be on the list of has beens......Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Seat, Hyundai, Audi, Lancia etc, etc! WRC will be dead in the water......

[lachlan]

Look at this!!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=-EpN1zdT5Ys&feature=related

[ViperSRT10]

Solberg is a legend! ....very amusing :)

[wayno]

I can't say I'm surprised to be honest. Saddened yes, surprised no. :(