Driving Sports

The rumor is now official, Subaru will pull out of the WRC for 2009 and since the 2008 season is over with the SWRT well down the order, that my friends, is that (to read the official press release go to our sister site www.subiesport.com).

This decision seems to have been made quickly and as recently as Saturday night or even Monday afternoon. Both SWRT and Prodrive admit that this decision was made without their consultation or knowledge and that it came quite as a shock as Prodrive has been working diligently to improve the 2008 WR Impreza and seemed to be on an upward trend despite both driving finishing over 60 points behind WRC champion, Sebastien Loeb. “The news came suddenly and unexpectedly during this weekend,” said Prodrive via press release.

Fuji Heavy Industries and Subaru spokesmen flatly deny that Prodrive’s lack of wins have anything to do with the decision to pull out of the WRC stating that “There are many elements involved rather than just one.  However, if you insist, we have achieved our initial objective to improve the brand recognition.  And also given the unprecedented economic situation deterioration, it was necessary to review our investments.  These are the main reasons.”

However, if the economic downturn has hurt Subaru in some way, this is the first indication as Subaru has announced that global sales are up 1% over the previous year. While this may not be the gangbusters growth hoped for, they are the only manufacturer posting a sales increase.
There are other considerations, with the WRC moving to a spec-class in 2010, the impetus for manufacturer participation has evaporated.

So far, everyone attached to Subaru corporate is being rather mum about the whole affair. Even representatives for the Subaru Rally Team USA are saying a whole lot of nothing. The usually tight-lipped James Han, head of Subaru Motorsports in the United States would give no comment on the future of the USA rally program saying only that no one should look into this as no decisions had been made regarding the 2009 SRT USA program other than Ken and Travis would still be on the roster.

As for the SWRT drivers, both Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson are being rather mum about everything as well, despite finding themselves without a seat for next season even though both have contracts through 2009. “I got information about the decision earlier today and need to evaluate the situation before I make any public statement. I understand that media and the public would like to have answers to all their questions right now, but I ask you all to be patient and wait until tomorrow,” said Solberg via his blog.
Drivingsports and Subiesport Magazine will stay abreast of this story as it developes. Certainly there is more at stake here as the WRC cannot survive as a two-horse race between Ford and Citroen.

Below is an interview between an unknown interviewer and an unknown representative from FHI. This was sent to us by sources inside of the SWRT and is translated from Japanese.

Q    When did you decide to withdraw?
A    The official decision was made in a meeting yesterday evening.

Q    When did you start considering the withdrawal?
A    To withdraw in this season, the specific examination started about a week ago.

Q    When did you tell Prodrive (Mr.David Richards)?
A    Last night, we told him about today's announcement over the phone.

Q    When did you tell the drivers?
A    Last night, we met with the two and told them in person.

Q    When did you tell FIA?
A    We informed them yesterday.

Q    Sponsors and suppliers?
A    We will tell them after this conference.

Q    What is the main reason of the withdrawal?  Concern of worsening of the business performance?
A    There are many elements involved rather than just one.  However, if you insist, we have achieved our initial objective to improve the brand recognition.  And also given the unprecedented economic situation deterioration, it was necessary to review our investments.  These are the main reasons.

S    WRC has an image of being destructive to the environment.  Is the conflict with the eco countermeasure also the reason?
A    Rally is a motorsport with a long history and it is also one of the automobile cultures.  It is of course very important to give the most consideration to the environment, however it is possible to balance the two.  Therefore, the mentioned point is not a direct reason.

Q    Does the WRC regulation change have an impact on the withdrawal?
A    It has nothing to do with this.

S    What is the reaction of the FHI internally?
A    We are sharing the information after the conference.

Q    It is stated as "termination of the activity".  Does this mean "pause" or "withdraw"?  (only valid in Japanese)
A    The possibility of the Subaru car aligned in the top category of WRC in the future is not zero, however for this moment, this is not on the assumption of the comeback.

S    Don't you have a desire to continue?
A    If we can be allowed, we wanted to continue especially for the fans, however taking numerous conditions into the account, we have made the decision based of the business management.

Q    The significance of motorsport participation that Subaru thinks, has it changed?
A    There are two important significant and they have not changed.  One is to appeal the (nice) drivability of the Subaru cars and improve the brand image and its sales.  The other is to use the feedback and know-how’s from the various motorsports into the mass productions.

Q    How many employees are working for WRC within STI?
A    Including the ones working concurrently, we have about 20 people.

S    Is there going to be change in the personnel?
A    Nothing has been decided.

Q    Who is Prodrive?
A    It's a racing team management (operation) company based in England.  Besides SWRT, they are involved in other racing activities and they also produce and sell their original automobile parts and racing cars.

Q    What will happen to Prodrive?
A    Prodrive has wide-ranging motorsport activities besides WRC and we are not in the position to make comment on going forward.

Q    There is a rumor that the relationship between Subaru and Prodrive is not going well?  Does this have anything to do with this?
A    There is not such thing and our decision has nothing to do with it.  Although there will be no WRC works activity, we will still have Group N business etc. from now on.

Q    Are you cancelling the contract with Prodrive?  Has Prodrive agreed?
A    The contract was until the end of 2009, therefore, we are canceling it.  The process and discussion will start from now.

Q    What will happen to STI?
A    STI will continue their motorsport activities and cars/parts development.  They will continue to work to improve the value of the Subaru brand and the satisfaction of the Subaru users.
Q    How will you deal with the WRX STI and other STI special edition cars?
A    STI's image is not limited to WRC.  They will continue to provide the products that meet the STI brand value such as an ultimate road sportcars and sportpars.

Q    What are the examples of the feedback you had from WRC to the road cars?
A    It's very difficult to explain the know-how's, however the setting of the suspension is one of the examples.

Q    What did you gain by participating in WRC?
A    It is the feedback on numerous know-how's for the technical development.  And the improvement of the Subaru brand.  Winning the three manufacturer's titles and three driver's titles has constructed the image of the Subaru's drivability and it is contributing in the expansion of the worldwide sales of the Subaru cars.

Q    What is the damage from this withdrawal?
A    More than anything, we will betray the expectation of the fans who have been supporting us.

Q    There are many users who purchased Subaru based on the WRC image.  It goes against the "customer comes firsts"?
A    We are expecting to hear many comments and requests from our customers.  We will consider them seriously and we will work hard to gain the understanding that this is a decision for the Subaru future.

Q   What is the annual budget to compete in WRC?
A    We can not disclose the exact amount, but it is several billion yen.  (no further comments)

Q    Has the payment for the 2009 entry been made to FIA?
A    No, it hasn't been paid.

Q    Any regret?
A    We have been away from the winning for about three years.  It would have been nice if we could have won a little more.

Q    Do you have the contract with two of the drivers for the next season?
A    Yes, we will need to proceed with the cancellation of the contract.

Q    So, the drivers have been told.  What was their reaction?
A    We heard that they both understood our intention.

Q    What impact do you think this will have on the sales?
A    We do not expect a big direct impact, however considering the support and feelings of the fans, there might be some sort of effect.

Q    Isn't this going to have a negative impact on Rally Japan?
A    You must pardon us as we are not in the position to answer that.

Q    What will happen to the dealer mechanic team "Subaru Rally Team Japan"?
A    SRTJ is a Group N activity and will not be affected by this decision.  Regarding the next season's activities, nothing has been decided.