Is Subaru still racing?
Subaru is not currently fielding a factory racing program in major international series as of 2025; however, it remains active in motorsport through STI and private teams in limited events.
The brand’s racing legacy centers on the Subaru World Rally Team era with the Impreza, including a drivers’ title in 2003, but there has been no public plan announced to re-enter the top-level international championships as a factory entrant. Since then, Subaru has steered its focus toward production cars, performance parts, and supporting private racing efforts rather than mounting a new, factory-backed campaign in the sport’s marquee series.
The current state of Subaru’s racing programs
Factory rally program status
The official factory participation in the World Rally Championship ended in 2008. Since then, Subaru has not announced a return to factory competition in the WRC or other major global rally series, choosing instead to concentrate on its road-car performance branding and aftermarket development.
Other factory or series involvement
There is no ongoing Subaru-backed factory entry in the sport’s biggest touring car or endurance championships. The company’s public-facing motorsport activity in recent years has been limited to corporate and customer-facing initiatives, rather than a full-scale factory program in high-profile series.
Subaru’s racing footprint today
What follows outlines the main ways Subaru participates in racing today, which sit outside a factory campaign in the principal championships.
- Privateer rally entries and regional events using Subaru vehicles, often organized by independent teams or enthusiasts partnered with Subaru’s legacy and parts support.
- Hill climb, time-attack, and other selective motorsport events where drivers can showcase Subaru performance capabilities in a controlled, event-specific format.
- STI-backed customer racing and demonstration activities, including support for track days, limited sprint events, and performance showcases tied to Subaru’s performance division.
- R&D and media engagement surrounding performance vehicles, which helps keep Subaru’s racing heritage in the public eye even without a factory campaign.
These activities reflect a shift away from factory-level championship fighting toward a more niche, enthusiast-focused motorsport presence, while continuing to leverage Subaru’s rallying heritage and the STI brand.
A look back: Subaru’s racing history milestones
To contextualize the present, here are key milestones from Subaru’s racing past and its transition away from factory campaigns.
- Mid-1990s to 2008: Subaru World Rally Team competes in the World Rally Championship with the Impreza WRC, achieving podiums and a drivers’ title in 2003 with Petter Solberg.
- 2008: Subaru withdraws from the WRC as a factory entrant, ending the era of a full factory rally program.
- 2010s: No official factory campaign; private and regional efforts occasionally continue using Subaru machinery.
- Early 2020s: Production and branding shifts for high-performance models, with no announced return to factory rally or major touring-car programs.
The overall arc shows a durable rallying legacy paired with a strategic pause on large-scale factory competition, while maintaining a presence in the motorsport community through STI and private teams.
What the future might hold
There has been no official statement confirming a return to factory racing in the major international series as of 2025. Any future re-entry would depend on Subaru’s broader corporate strategy, market demand for performance variants, and the feasibility of sustaining a factory-level campaign in today’s competitive environment. For now, Subaru’s racing footprint remains more limited and targeted than in the peak WRC years.
Bottom line
Subaru is not currently racing as a factory entrant in the world’s top championships. It continues to participate in motorsport in smaller, more targeted ways through STI and private teams, preserving its rallying heritage while focusing on production performance and enthusiast engagement.
Summary
In sum, Subaru’s racing activity today is characterized by a paused factory presence in major championships and a continued, though more selective, involvement in motorsport through private efforts, STI-partnered activities, and high-profile demonstration events. The company has not announced a return to a factory WRC or equivalent global racing program, but its rallying legacy remains a central part of its brand identity.
Why did Subaru quit the WRC?
Subaru left the World Rally Championship (WRC) after the 2008 season due to the global financial crisis which made the program too expensive. Additionally, the parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, felt that Subaru had already achieved its marketing and sporting objectives for the WRC program.
You can watch this video to learn about the real reason Subaru left the WRC: 29sCar Problems FixedYouTube · Jul 21, 2025
- Financial crisis: The 2008 economic downturn forced many car manufacturers, including Subaru, to cut costs.
- Marketing objectives met: Subaru's parent company stated that the company had reached its sporting and marketing goals, particularly in raising brand awareness for its all-wheel-drive technology.
- Other factors:
- Recent seasons had been disappointing, with no rally wins since 2005.
- A change in WRC technical regulations for 2010 would have required developing a new car, adding to the costs.
This video explains the rise and fall of the Subaru WRC team: 49sOnlyaMK3YouTube · Nov 29, 2022
Will Subaru ever go back to WRC?
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the head of the global motorsports organisation, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), told media in September 2023 that Subaru's return to WRC was on the cards.
Is the 2025 Subaru Brat real?
The 2025. Brat is all about performance and versatility. It's powered by Subaru's latest 2.4 L turbocharged boxer engine delivering an impressive 260 horsepower. And 277 lbft of torque.
Is Subaru owned by Toyota now?
No, Toyota does not own Subaru, but it owns just over 20% of the company, making Subaru an affiliated company. This strategic partnership allows them to share technology and collaborate on vehicle development, such as the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports car. Subaru still operates independently with its own branding and operations.
- Ownership structure: Toyota is Subaru's largest shareholder with a stake of slightly over 20%, but Subaru remains an independent company.
- Strategic partnership: The two companies have a close partnership and collaborate on various projects.
- Shared projects: Notable examples of their collaboration include the co-development of the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X electric crossover and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 sports car.
- Technology sharing: They share technology, particularly in areas like hybrid systems and electric vehicle development, and plan to collaborate on future EV platforms.
- Independent operation: Despite the significant ownership stake and collaboration, Subaru maintains its own management structure and brand identity.
