Does Subaru still do WRC?
Yes, Subaru continues to participate in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the premier international rally racing series. Subaru has been a prominent competitor in the WRC for decades, with its iconic Impreza and WRX models being closely associated with the sport.
Subaru's History in the WRC
Subaru first entered the WRC in 1990 and quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. The company's all-wheel-drive technology and turbocharged engines made its cars highly competitive, and Subaru drivers such as Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg won multiple WRC championships for the brand.
Subaru's WRC program reached its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the company won three consecutive manufacturers' titles from 1995 to 1997. However, the company withdrew from the WRC at the end of the 2008 season, citing the global financial crisis and a desire to focus on its core business.
Subaru's Return to the WRC
After a seven-year absence, Subaru returned to the WRC in 2014, partnering with the Prodrive motorsports company to field a team in the series. The company has continued to compete in the WRC since then, with its current driver lineup including Takamoto Katsuta and Sébastien Ogier.
Subaru's return to the WRC has been met with mixed results, as the company has struggled to regain the dominance it enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the company remains committed to the sport and continues to develop its rally cars in an effort to compete at the highest level.
The Future of Subaru in the WRC
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how long Subaru will continue to compete in the WRC. The company's participation in the series is likely to be influenced by factors such as its overall business strategy, the performance of its rally cars, and the changing landscape of the WRC itself.
Nonetheless, Subaru's long history in the WRC and its continued presence in the series suggest that the company remains committed to rally racing and sees it as an important part of its brand identity and marketing strategy.
