After only a one-year hiatus, Subaru is preparing to get back into the rally world next season. But Subaru won’t be heading back into into the World Rally Championship, rather the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
The Japanese automaker has competed in the IRC since its inception even winning the very first IRC stage back in 2007 but was never previously registered as an official manufacturer in the series. Now, rather than field a full works team, Subaru will supply cars to privateers, but will be eligible to score points in the manufacturers’ standings for 2010.
With Subaru’s entry there is now eight automakers signed up to compete in the series next year, along with Fiat/Abarth, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Proton, Skoda and Volkswagen.
Last week, 2008 and 2009 New Zealand Rally Champion, and winner of the 2010 World Rally Championship Pirelli Star Drive, Hayden Paddon, took to the 15th Anniversary Dunlop Targa. Unfortunately, after running in the top three throughout the bulk of the rally — and scoring multiple stage wins along the way — Hayden slid off the road towards the end of the Targa, damaging his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and putting him out of the rally. While not a satisfying end for Hayden, it did serve as valuable tarmac experience for him for the tarmac events he will be facing as part of the 2010 World Rally Championship.
Below is some footage from Hayden’s in-car camera of what the Dunlop Targa is actually like to drive. Enjoy.
After recent speculation that the 2010 NZ-based round of the World Rally Championship would be heading back to Auckland it has now been confirmed. After three years in the Waikato region based out of Hamilton’s Mystery Creek Events Centre, it was announced yesterday that over the weekend of May 6-9, 2010, the NZ stop on the WRC calendar will be based out of Auckland.
“We’re delighted to bring Rally New Zealand back to Auckland next May,” Rally NZ chairman, Chris Carr said. Evidently, the agreement between Rally New Zealand and Auckland City Council covers off the next three Rally NZ events — scheduled to be held in 2010, 2012 and 2014 with the new WRC schedule. “However, we are working hard to put New Zealand back on to the WRC calendar on an annual basis,” Carr said.
There are as many forms of motorsport out there as there are walks of life on this planet, but few come close to matching the spectacle of rally. And among those that take it to dirt, gravel, snow and tarmac, nothing says rally like the WRC. Recent years have seen the championship lose some of its glamour to declining participation and absolute domination by Sebastien Loeb, but it remains some of the most entertaining action on four wheels.
This video is a well-executed compilation of rallying history, and sums up all there is to love about the sport. Check it out by clicking the box below.
Developed by Lancia to replace the astonishing Stratos rally car, the 037 was designed to take on the then dominant Audi quattro — and it succeeded by winning the 1983 WRC championship for Walter Rörhl and Lancia. With the invaluable assistance of Lancia’s then designer and chief engineer, Sergio Limone — who opened his files to the author — Collins is able to unfold the entire story behind Lancia’s 037 project. Many of the photographs in the book come from Limone’s private collection — much of them never before seen. Along with Limone’s valuable contribution, Collins also adds a complete competition history and interviews key personnel, from the drivers to rally team members and engineers. There’s even a small Kiwi element — remembering that the Lancia 037s competed, and won, at the 1983 Rally of New Zealand. It would be hard to find a more definitive history of this iconic Italian rally car.
Lancia 037: The Development and Rally History of a World Champion By Peter Collins Review book supplied by Techbooks Review by Allan Walton
come from Limone’s private collection — much of them never before seen. Along with Limone’s valuable contribution, Collins also adds a complete competition history and interviews key personnel, from the drivers to rally team members and engineers. There’s even a small Kiwi element — remembering that the Lancia 037s competed, and won, at the 1983 Rally of New Zealand. It would be hard to find a more definitive history of this iconic Italian rally car.