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Rally News

07/16
USA Today: X Games shift into higher gear as rally attracts stars
The hottest sport at the upcoming ESPN Summer X Games has four wheels, two drivers and a big gas tank.
Rally racing is also the latest motor sport to crack the X Games lineup: The first motorized X event was SnoCross snowmobile racing at the 1998 Winter X Games, followed by MotoX motocross stunt jumping at Summer X in 2000. Rally arrived in 2006 when Summer X moved to Los Angeles.
Dirtnewz: Pastrana Vaults into Rally America Championship Lead with Podium at 2008 New England Forest Rally
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana has jumped into the lead of the 2008 Rally America National Championship standings following a 3rd Overall finish at the New England Forest Rally.  Pastrana and his co-driver, former WRC champion Derek Ringer, took a conservative pace in their new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to avoid the treacherous rocks which the New England Forest Rally is notorious for. 
Rally-America: Irish PWRC champ McShea takes New England win
Former Production World Rally Champion Niall McShea took a decisive win this weekend at Rally America’s Round 6, the New England Forest Rally. McShea and co-driver Marshall Clarke, who arrived at the New England Forest Rally thanks to the backing of a group of Irish ex-patriots, finished more than a minute ahead of challenger Andrew Pinker to earn the coveted Last Chance Qualifier invitation for X Games 14.
RallyBuzz: Markko Martin looks set to compete on The Richard Burns Memorial Rally
Markko Martin looks set to compete on The Richard Burns Memorial Rally at RAF Marham, near Swaffham in Norfolk. Martin will probably use a Prodrive Subaru but not yet known if he will use the latest model, or an older one.
Crash.net (UK): Wilks appeals for support, eyes Subaru drive.
Subaru meanwhile have promised to give Wilks equal machinery to Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson if he can raise the funds to compete in a third car.
Autosport.com (UK): Subaru owners to honour McRae
During the journey, it is hoped that more than 1,000 Subarus will join in as the parade heads down the A74, M6, M42 and the M40 before arriving in Banbury. McRae's 1996 Group A Impreza 555 will lead the convoy up the M40 for the final leg of its journey from Banbury to Prodrive's proving ground in Warwickshire.
Crash.net (UK): Petter Solberg - Subaru: Q&A - EXCLUSIVE
Subaru's Petter Solberg was boosted by the arrival of the all-new Impreza WRC2008 just prior to the summer break - and having finished third with it in Greece and sixth in Turkey, 'Hollywood' was definitely left feeling more positive. Crash.net Radio caught up with the 2003 World Rally champion recently and spoke to him about his hopes for the rest of the year and found out about his rib injury...
RallySport Magazine (AU): Atko's Tales - WRC, the Monaco GP and Rally QLD
Welcome to another edition of Atko’s Tales! Well, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride since I last checked in, but things are all good and we’re still right in there, although I’ve dropped back to fourth in the championship now; I’ll reel it back though ;) The team launched the new car in Greece and immediately Petter and I could feel the difference. We still have some things to work on, but the potential of this car is awesome as Petter showed in Greece. I checked in with the car’s first ever stage win in Greece, so that’s a pretty special feeling – one for the SWRT history books. Anyway, enough about work, time to tell some stories!
Autosport.com (UK):
Q&A with Guy Wilks
Following Subaru team principal David Richards' announcement that he wants to have British driver competing in the factory team again soon, British Rally champion Guy Wilks has set his mind to gaining that seat. Here the 27-year-old explains how he intends to gather the financial backing and what he thinks he can achieve if he does.
Subaru change targets for 2008
Subaru drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson will start the second half of this year's World Rally Championship with the freedom to go flat out and win stages in an attempt to put the new Impreza WRC2008 on the podium through sheer pace before the end of the season.

07/01
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Ken Block Triumphs In Canada
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino beat out a strong field of competitors to win the 2008 Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs last weekend in eastern Quebec. In an event where many teams struggled with rough conditions and mechanical trouble, Block and Gelsomino put in a strong performance. Though the pair struck a bridge on the first day of action, they were able to recover and carve out a large lead which they held to the end.
Crash.net (UK): Martin: New Subaru will be good on tarmac.
Subaru test driver Markko Martin has said that the new Impreza WRC2008 should be very competitive on the asphalt events in Germany, Spain and France in the second half of the season. Martin conducted the first tarmac test with the Impreza WRC2008 recently in the hills of Italy and the Estonian added that he had a 'very successful' outing in the car, which only made its debut in the World Rally Championship on the Acropolis Rally of Greece last month. "It was good, the initial feeling is really very good," Martin told the team's official website, www.swrt.com. "We worked on improving the performance during the week and learned a lot about how the car works and how it responds to changes which was good.
Mining Journal: Marquette’s Sarasin earns spot in ESPN X Games this summer
When Kyle Sarasin was a kid, he and his good friend Johnny VandeZande would watch the X Games on television and dream about competing as BMX racers. Sarasin’s dream is about to come true, but in a different sport. Come Aug. 3, the 19-year-old Marquette native will be competing in the 14th Annual ESPN X Games as a rally car driver. His event at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles will be shown live on ABC-TV.
Autofiends: Top Gear USA: Tanner Foust Interview
Some things you may already know about Tanner Foust: He’s a successful professional racer. He’s the 2007 US Formula Drift champion and currently leading the 2008 championship. Foust contests the US Rally America championship and won the 2007 X-Games Rally Super Special beating action sports super star, Travis Pastrana and World Rally Championship legend, Colin McRae (RIP) in the process. Tanner was a stunt driver for Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and The Dukes of Hazard and most recently The Bourne Ultimatum — he’s the dude chasing Matt Damon in NYC.
Motorsport.com: Watkins Glen: Subaru Road Racing Team preview
When the Subaru Road Racing Team takes the green flag Saturday at the famed Watkins Glen International road course near Watkins Glen, N.Y., they will rely on thousands of miles of collective experience on the 3.4 mile track to help ease their path to the winner's circle. The 2 ½ hour race Saturday at 4:45pm features both classes in the thriving Grand-Am KONI Challenge series for race cars with their genesis on the production lines. The four Subaru factory team drivers in a pair of Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B cars prepared by ICY/Phoenix of Phoenixville, Pa., will be competing against a field of 45 entrants made up of a series record eight other manufacturers in order to record their second straight win.
Motorsport.com: Baie Des Chaleurs: Subaru Rally Team USA final summary
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block earned his maiden Canadian rally victory this past weekend at Rallye Baie-des Chaleurs in Quebec, round three of the 2008 Canadian Rally Championship. The win was the first for Subaru Rally Team USA's new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI on only its second event. Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino dominated the rally on their way to a victory with over a two-minute margin against a very strong contingent of Canadian rally veterans.
All Africa.com: Kenya: Motorsports - Battle Lines Drawn As Safari Rally Revs Off
Kenya's hopes of reclaiming the World Rally Championship status heavily depend on the organisational outcome of year's KCB Safari Rally which starts on Friday afternoon from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi.

06/26
Auto Racing Daily: Top North American Drivers Gear-Up For 3rd Round Of Canadian Rally Championship At Rallye Baie-Des-C
It’s a battle for mid-season points as the competition heats up at the thrilling Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs in New Richmond, Quebec, round three of the Canadian Rally Championship presented by Subaru. Throngs of roaring crowds will turn out for the high-speed contest that features a fast and flowing course and one of the biggest rally jumps on the continent. These enthusiastic fans will be treated to some of the stiffest competition of the year so far, with a packed field of more than 50 entries from across Canada and the United States
Motorsport.com: Mid-Ohio: Subaru Road Racing Team race notes
Team Subaru Splashes to Repeat Mid-Ohio Race Win in Grand-Am KONI Challenge Race. When the Ohio skies opened and a heavy thunderstorm blew through the area of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington on Sunday, the Subaru Road Racing Team (SRRT), unlike the majority of its competitors, was prepared for the deep puddles and slick track conditions around the 2.4-mile road course. Using their Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, SRRT claimed victory over eight other auto makers.
Rally America: Rally Stars Battle for X Games Wildcard Spot at NEFR
The top rally drivers on the continent are set to take on the rugged forest terrain of Maine and New Hampshire when the Rally America National Championship Series moves to the East Coast for the New England Forest Rally on July 11 and 12. Heading into Round 6, the top three drivers in the series are separated by just three points and it is expected to be an exciting battle.

06/19
Rally-Live: Ketomaa wins with the Impreza-Round four of the Finnish Rally Championship
Fourth round of Finnish Rally Championship, Keski-Uusimaa Rally in Kerava, was successful for Subaru Dealer Team Finland when Jari Ketomaa claimed clear Group N victory with new TMR 08 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.
Crash.net (UK): Lapworth: Subaru in good position.
Subaru's technical director David Lapworth has said that the team is feeling confident about their prospects for the second half of the season following the second competitive outing with the all-new Impreza WRC2008 on the Rally of Turkey last weekend.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland:
High Confidence In The Impreza WRC2008
At the finish of the Rally of Turkey, Petter Solberg and Phil Mills sealed sixth position overall, keeping the Subaru World Rally Team in third position overall in the Manufacturers' Championship. As importantly, with two incredibly tricky rallies completed in the new Impreza WRC2008, the team are confident about now putting the many lessons learned into practice during the six-week break in the WRC calendar.
Solberg: That's wasn't bad at all.
Subaru's Petter Solberg takes his fourth points' finish of the season in Turkey.While there was no repeat of the runners-up spot he took on the Acropolis two weeks ago, Subaru's Petter Solberg was still very happy following his sixth place finish on the Rally of Turkey last weekend. 'Hollywood' ran in the points throughout the eighth round in the 2008 World Rally Championship and considering this was only the second outing with the all-new Impreza WRC2008, he set some very respectable times.
Hamilton Advertiser (UK): Pilgrimage planned to honour legend McRae
HUNDREDS of Subaru owners from across Europe are planning a massive pilgrimage to Lanark to honour Scotland’s first World Rally Champion, the late Colin McRae. The Lanark man tragically died last September when his helicopter crashed near his home, also killing his young son and two family friends.
ibj.com: Allegiant finding treasure in clients’ trash
Officials at West Lafayette’s Subaru plant are not surprised by Allegiant’s growth. Subaru was one of its first clients and now boasts a “zero landfill operation.” “We put nothing in any landfill and haven’t since May 2004,” said Tom Easterday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive senior vice president. “They do things manufacturers might not think of or have time to handle, like assisting with the process of getting suppliers to use recyclable materials. They simply provide a tremendous service.”

06/12
Crash.net (UK):
Q&A: Richard Taylor - Subaru
Subaru launched its new car less than two weeks ago on the Acropolis Rally of Greece and after finishing second Petter Solberg declared that the Banbury-based outfit is definitely on its way back to its former glories. Crash.net Radio caught up with managing director Richard Taylor recently to chat to him about that event and to get his thoughts not only on the next round in Turkey, but also on the rest of the season too...
PWRC: Pre-event press conference - Turkey.
Q: It's not been the best start to the season for you Toshi. What can you do to turn it around?
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Subaru: 'B' team is not a certainty.
Subaru's managing director Richard Taylor has revealed that while they would like to run a second team next season in the World Rally Championship, it is by no means 'firmed-up' as yet. Reports that the Banbury-based outfit would definitely run an extra two cars in the WRC in 2009 emerged last month, however, when asked about it, Taylor told Crash.net Radio that nothing has yet been decided, although it is one of the squad's objectives.
Subaru World Rally Team:
Back-to-back baptism as new Impreza put to second test
Only a week after the punishing Acropolis Rally, the busiest period of the season is brought to a close by the Rally of Turkey, the final event before the summer break. It is the sixth gravel event in a row at the start of this season, and the conditions will provide no gentle wind-down on what is only the second World Rally for Subaru’s Impreza WRC2008.
Re-prep on the road - from Greece to Turkey
Following their competitive debut on the Acropolis Rally of Greece fewer than two weeks ago, both Subaru Impreza WRC2008s have been readied for action once again, this time in Turkey. The cars travelled from Greece directly to the rally centre in Kemer without passing the team’s base in the UK, which meant that all preparation had to be done in the field. Members of the team arrived in Turkey earlier than usual to strip the cars, re-prepare and rebuild them in time for Thursday’s start.
Stage summaries with Phil Mills
SS1 / 16 Antalya SSS (2.6km)
The opening spectator stage in the ground of the Akdeniz University in Antalya is, like most of this rally, exactly the same as we last used in 2006. The surface is hard rolled gravel sprayed with tarmac, which forms this hard but slippery surface. It’s a good spectator stage and should attract good crowds, and it’s very slippery so the cars will be sideways lots which spectators want to see.

06/10
Computing (UK): Motorsport firm drives network upgrade
Motorsport group Prodrive has completed a major network upgrade to help deliver new IP-based services across the company. The firm, which runs the Subaru World Rally team and the Aston Martin Racing team, has installed a 10Gbit/s Ethernet infrastructure and power over Ethernet capability, supplied by Foundry Networks.
Indiatimes (IN): Rally ride for brand boost
As motorsport grows in prominence in India, a Bangalore-based company is riding on the World Rally Championship (WRC) to promote its brand and create media products that it thinks would increase interest in rallying.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland:
Petter out to up the speed with new car.
Subaru's Petter Solberg is feeling keyed up ahead of the next event in the WRC - the Rally of Turkey.Subaru team leader Petter Solberg is feeling 'very excited' ahead of the Rally of Turkey this coming weekend, what will be only his second competitive outing with the all-new Impreza WRC2008.Petter took a fantastic second place finish in Greece two weeks ago, his first podium of the season and now is keen to try and push a little more with the new car and once again get a good result.
I need some points, says Atkinson.
Subaru's Chris Atkinson wants to increase his points tally on the Rally of Turkey, the latest event in the WRC.Subaru's number two driver Chris Atkinson wants to make sure he gets some more points this weekend in Turkey after failing to finish on the Acropolis Rally two weeks ago. Atkinson went out on days two and three in Greece, but despite not getting to the finish he was happy with the all-new Impreza WRC2008 and even gave the car its very first stage win on the final leg.
StarGazette.com: Performance Rally's early stages rough up cars
Before the 2008 Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally began Friday morning, Subaru driver Ken Block referred to the event's brand-new, brutally engineered first stage as "a car breaker." Turns out the nine-mile Waste Management stages -- held largely on Waste Management land -- claimed only two cars in stage one and stage two, which was the same stage run backward.

06/04
SWRT: Back-to-back baptism as new Impreza put to second test
Only a week after the punishing Acropolis Rally, the busiest period of the season is brought to a close by the Rally of Turkey, the final event before the summer break. It is the sixth gravel event in a row at the start of this season, and the conditions will provide no gentle wind-down on what is only the second World Rally for Subaru’s Impreza WRC2008.
Motor Trend: Subaru scores a second place finish in all-new WRC racecar
Team Subaru made an impressive WRC debut this weekend at the Acropolis Rally held in Greece with their all-new Subaru Impreza WRC2008 racecar and scored a second place finish in what is heralded as the most challenging event on the World Rally calendar. Piloted by Petter Solberg and navigated by Phil Mills, the Subaru WRX STI -based car surpassed many expectations and won a stage of the Acropolis rally as well.
Autosport (UK): Richards ready to hire British driver
Subaru World Rally Team principal David Richards says he is willing to take a risk to develop a British driver in the future. Richards was the team principal responsible for delivering both of Britain's World Rally Champions - Colin McRae in 1995 and Richard Burns in 2001 – and he says he wants to achieve the same again.
Crash.net (UK):
Petter: Subaru are back!
Petter Solberg took an incredible second place finish on the Acropolis Rally on Sunday with the all-new Impreza WRC2008 - and then declared that the Banbury-based outfit is definitely on the way back to its former glories.
'Hollywood' ran strongly on the seventh round in the World Rally Championship from the off and set some very competitive stage times - including ten-top five times on the opening two days, before he eased off on the final leg to ensure he took the runners-up spot.
Subaru boss: We learned many lessons.
Subaru boss David Richards has paid tribute to the 'tireless efforts' of the Banbury-based outfit's test team following the successful debut event with the all-new Impreza WRC2008 in Greece. Subaru had originally been due to switch to the new car following the summer break, however, the decision was taken after Sardinia to move that date forward and while the move was risky, considering the Acropolis is the roughest round in the World Rally Championship, in the end it paid off, with Petter Solberg securing the runners-up spot.
Autosport (UK): Solberg says new Subaru will win
Petter Solberg was encouraged by the debut of the new Subaru Impreza on the Acropolis Rally at the weekend and says the car will win rallies. The 2003 champion has been frustrated by uncompetitive cars in recent seasons but was delighted with the debut of the new machine in Greece, where he finished second to Sebastien Loeb.
SWRT: Silverware for SWRT on all-new Impreza’s debut
The debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza WRC2008 was marked in style with second position overall at the close of the Acropolis Rally, the most challenging event on the WRC calendar. On the final day, Chris Atkinson and Stéphane Prévot were fastest on the opening stage, whilst Petter Solberg and Phil Mills crossed the finish to clinch their best result of the season.
Motor Trend: Subaru releases specs on new 2008 WRC contender in Greece
Just as promised, Subaru has released details of its 2008 WRC race car ahead of the Acropollis Rally this weekend in Greece. The aptly-named Impreza WRC2008 is based on the new version of Subaru's Impreza WRX and features tuning by both Subaru's in-house tuning division, Subaru International Tecnica (STI) and Prodrive.
Crash.net (UK): Subaru 'launches' new car.
The Subaru World Rally Team officially unveiled the all new-Impreza WRC2008 on Wednesday evening, ahead of its debut on the Acropolis Rally of Greece, the seventh round in the WRC. The new car, which has been billed as the most 'radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years', is based on the latest road going Subaru Impreza and the Banbury-based outfit will be hoping it will allow it to take the fight to Citroen and Ford and end a winless streak, which stretches back to 2005.
Rally-Live: Pat Richard wins in new Subaru Impreza STI
Two-time Canadian Rally Champion Pat Richard made his return to the top of the podium in a new 2008 Subaru Impreza STI at the Rocky Mountain Rally, Round 2 of the Canadian Rally Championship, presented by Subaru.
InsideTrack News:CDN. RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP: Rocket Rally takes 2008 Subaru STi to debut win
Subaru Rally Team Canada driver Patrick Richard and co-driver Alan Ockwell dominated the field to a decisive first place finish at the second round of the Canadian Rally Championship, the Rocky Mountain Rally, held this past weekend near Calgary, AB. Driving an an all-new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, this event marked the Canadian debut of this vehicle in rally competition, and the first time that the new 2008 platform has seen overall victory in North American rallying.
Autosport (UK): Subaru to run two teams next season
Subaru will run four factory Impreza WRCs in two teams in the 2009 World Rally Championship, with team principal David Richards interested in running a British driver in one car.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland : Tommi Mäkinen Racing Working Hard
Four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen, together with double Finnish Rally Champion and current Production World Rally Cars Championship leader and Subaru Dealer Team Finland driver Jari Ketomaa, conducted a five-day developement test session in the rough conditions of the Romanian countryside.

05/21
Rally America: Travis Pastrana takes Oregon Trail win, championship lead for ACP
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana took his first win of the 2008 Rally America season at the Oregon Trail Rally this weekend. “It was a wild, wild event,” said Pastrana at the finish. “We definitively needed this win.”
Pastrana and co-driver Derek Ringer put in a consistently fast performance throughout the brutal three-day contest, while many other contenders crashed out or fell victim to mechanical problems.
Subaru World Rally Team: Impreza WRC2008 to launch in Greece
The Subaru World Rally Team and STI are pleased to announce the launch date of the Impreza WRC2008. The most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years, the WRC2008 is ready to make its debut on the seventh round of this year’s World Rally Championship, the Acropolis Rally of Greece, from 29 May – 1 June.
Motoring (ZA): Subaru minis to tackle under-500cc rally: 3200km IN 10 DAYS - IN A 360cc MICROCAR!
Four fans of 1960's Subaru minicars have entered two of the 360cc machines in a 3200km rally through Europe.
The 2008 "Liege-Brescia-Liege" rally will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original – but it's also the 50th birthday of Subaru's first car. It's the world's only international rally for cars of less than 500cc and has attracted more than 75 entries, some of which will successfully travel through Belgium, Germany, Austria, the Italian alps and Slovenia. The rest – like many of the original 1958 entrants – will perish on the way.
Motor Trend: 20 Horsepower, 2000 Miles: Classic Subaru 360s enter rally
Four U.K. Subaru enthusiasts are teaming up to run the Liege-Brescia-Liege historic rally that covers 2000 miles of public European roads including Italy's Stelvio and Gavia Passes. The team will run the rally, celebrating its 50th anniversary, in two examples of a Subaru model also celebrating its 50th anniversary -- the Japanese automaker's original 360cc microcar.
Sport Compact Car: The Beat Block: We Put Skater Boy's Skills To The Test
The word on the street was that Ken Block had a new car. It was a 2004 WRX STI built by Crawford Performance for both track and gymkhana use. Some of you may be wondering what a gymkhana is. Basically, it's just like autocross only tighter, with donuts and such. Others might be saying: "OK, but who the hell is Ken Block?" He's a shoe salesman, like Al Bundy, only a lot better at it. And for no good reason, we wanted to kick his ass.
Asia1 (SG): RALLY THE FAMILY: These drivers in the Rally of Canberra had their family's blessings
THEY drove at speeds which would make any traffic policeman itch for his radar gun. Charging hard into corners, they left dust clouds on hilly trails. It was the stuff to make mothers faint.
Car Magazine (UK): Subaru’s WRC Impreza rally car: first pictures
Subaru has surprised the rally world by announcing it will launch its new WRC Impreza at next week’s Acropolis Rally in Greece, two events earlier than expected. The Prodrive-developed five-door WRC car, which is based on Subaru’s hatchback Impreza, uses the same 2.0-litre turbo engine that powered the old rally car, but does away with the traditional yellow lettering in favour of Subaru’s silver and white corporate logo. Hardcore fans panic not: the blue paintwork and iconic gold wheels stay.
Autosport (UK): Subaru pleased by damper progress
The Banbury-based team have spent the last two weeks looking closely at the Bos dampers which caused Subaru – and Petter Solberg in particular – major problems on the last event in Jordan.
Autosport.com (UK):
Solberg samples new Impreza
Former world champion Petter Solberg has driven Subaru's all-new Impreza WRC2008 for the first time in Sardinia this week, autosport.com can exclusively reveal. Solberg was unavailable for comment on his first run in the car - codenamed the S14 - but SWRT managing director Richard Taylor confirmed that both Solberg and his teammate Chris Atkinson had completed two days of testing each on the Italian island.
Citroen could quit WRC for DTM
Citroen could join the DTM in 2010 if they go through with their threat to quit the World Rally Championship at the end of next season.
Suzuki's WRC future in question
Suzuki's immediate future in the World Rally Championship has been questioned following rumours in the WRC service park that the Japanese firm is ready to pull the plug on the SX4 WRC at the end of the season.
Rally Sport Magazine (AU):
Solberg, Atko test new Impreza
According to a report on autosport.com, Solberg and Atkinson have each completed two days of testing in Sardinia, with Markko Martin, SWRT's full-time test driver, also present.
Atko's Tales .... from Jordan
Hi everyone back home, Wow! What a year it has been so far. To be third in the championship and just two points behind Seb is pretty amazing after five events. I must say I didn’t expect to have scored this many podiums already but the work the team has put in is paying off and we are not having to take as many risks.
Development on the new Impreza WRC 2008 is continuing and we believe this will be the car that puts Subaru back in the winner’s circle when we launch it into the WRC later this year. I am looking forward to getting my first chance to drive the new machine and seeing the results of all the testing Marko (former WRC driver, Marko Martin) has been doing.

04/21
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Jordan Set To Make Rally History
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will create history this week by becoming the first Arab nation to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in the modern era of international rallying. Jordan's week in the spotlight has been the result of over three years' detailed preparations by staff at Jordan Motorsport in Amman, which is run under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al-Hussein
Crash.net (UK): Richards delighted as WRC heads to Middle East.
Subaru team boss David Richards is looking forward to the inaugural World Rally Championship event in Jordan next weekend and has predicted that it will be a real success. Jordan is the only new event on the calendar this season and is the latest addition to the WRC since Rally Ireland last November. The event is based on the shores of the Dead Sea - the world's lowest land point at 420 metres below sea level. Conditions in Jordan are predicted to be desert-like - with daily temperatures set to reach anywhere up to 40 degrees centigrade.
RTE (IE): Rally Ireland broke TV records
Rally Ireland was the most watched World Rally Championship event in 2007 according to global TV figures released this week. A staggering 62 million viewers in over 180 countries watched the WRC's inaugural visit to the island of Ireland, well above the average of 51 million viewers per rally. 
Rallysport Magazine (AU):
Ken Block wins Rally New York
At the end of nearly 400 miles of motoring, and 100 miles of high-speed special stages, the two Californians were over three minutes ahead of the NC Rally Team car of Otis Dimiters/Dominik Jozwiak (Subaru Impreza WRX). Martin Donnelly/Stephen Duffy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) completed the top three
Interview: Ken Block
American businessman Ken Block is a rally driver with a difference.  Not only does he compete for Subaru Rally Team America and contest selected WRC and NZRC events, he has also performed some extraordinary stunts in his rally car.   RallySport Magazine recently spoke to the man himself to find out a bit about his background and what we can look forward to in the future.....
Interview: Ken Block - Part 2
Last week American rally driver Ken Block spoke to RallySport Magazine about his amazing antics on the snow in New Zealand last year.   This week we continue our interview with the adrenaline loving Subaru Rally Team America driver. Here in Australia the name Ken Block is synonymous with your extraordinary jump in 2006, yet you've been competing in rallies since 2005.  How did you get your start in rallying?

04/04
Crash.net (UK):
Subaru impressed with Atkinson.
Subaru team boss David Richards has hailed the 'maturity' of his number two driver Chris Atkinson, following last weekend's Rally Argentina. Atkinson eventually took the runners-up spot on the South American event, but on the second day opted to play the team game, rather than try and battle it out with his team-mate, Petter Solberg.
Atkinson: Subaru is back!
Chris Atkinson believes that Subaru have definitely turned a corner following the teams form on the Rally Argentina last weekend. Atkinson and his team-mate Petter Solberg ran strongly throughout the event and were on course for a double podium result from SS5. While Petter unfortunately retired on the final day, when he had a complete electrical failure in SS19, the Banbury-based outfit still had much to be positive about.
SWRT: Rally Argentina Final
Chris Atkinson and Stéphane Prévot finished Rally Argentina in second position overall, making it three out of four podiums from the 2008 season. Team-mates Petter Solberg and Phil Mills were however dealt a cruel blow, being forced into retirement from second position with only two stages to go after complete electrical failure.

03/27
Crash.net:
Petter leads way in wet shakedown.
Subaru's Petter Solberg was quickest in the shakedown for Rally Argentina on Thursday morning, the fourth round in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship.
Stay of execution for WRC cars.
Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, the FIA has announced its future plans for regulations in the World Rally Championship. New regulations for the next generation of WRC cars will become effective from the 2011 season and will see cars based on the current Super 2000 and Group N machines. Cars will be fitted with a supplementary kit including a turbo and rear-wing additions, although the kit must be able to be fitted to or removed from the car within a defined time limit which has yet to be determined.
Pirelli: Hard compound not without drawbacks.
Pirelli rally manager Mario Isola has conceded that the choice of tyre for this weekend's Rally Argentina, the fourth round in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship could be far from ideal.
All the drivers' in World Rally Cars will have to use the hard compound Scorpion gravel tyre, in accordance with the latest FIA regulations and while the choice was approved by all the teams, it could prove difficult to get sufficient grip in them if conditions turn out to be cold and wet. "This choice of this tyre for the event is not without its drawbacks," Isola confirmed. "But the main thing is that all the drivers are in the same situation, with the same tyres in the same stage and weather conditions.
Bend Bulletin: Rally time: Pro mountain biker Carl Decker of Bend has found a passion for rally-car racing
The “Wheels of Teal” came tearing around the corner, dust flying everywhere as Carl Decker fishtailed perfectly into the turn. He stepped on the gas and rocketed the unassuming 1993 teal Subaru Impreza back up to 60 mph on the dirt road southeast of Bend. Decker grew up in Bend, driving crazily like this on back roads. His father, Mike Decker, a former pursuit specialist for the Oregon State Police, used to teach cops how to chase fugitives.
SWRT:
A new slot for Rally Argentina: What does the date change to the end of March mean for Rally Argentina?
Moved to a championship slot at the end of March for the 2008 season, this year Rally Argentina offers crews a different challenge. The end of March is the turning point from summer to autumn in Argentina so the air is hot and humid, with an average temperature similar to Mexico at 24 degrees Celsius and 62 per cent humidity. In-car temperatures are much higher, and conditions much tougher for the drivers and co-drivers as they battle with the heat.
Stage summaries with Phil Mills
The opening stage of the rally is the same as we’ve used for the last three years, so is a familiar piece of road. Fog has been a problem in the past, but the sate change will mean we’ll have a clear run this year. The surface gets rutted quite quickly and there are several hairpin bends where cars have been known to end up on their sides. At the start there’s a steep climb along a narrow hill track lined with rocks and boulders, then after that it’s downhill pretty much all the way, but the decline is gradual. The stage has a slow average speed – just above 70kph – and you have to be very precise because it’s so narrow.

03/20
SWRT: Argentina Preview
After the first long haul event of the season three weeks ago, crews will once again head west, this time to South America and the gravel routes of Rally Argentina. The second in a back-to-back trio of long haul events, Argentina faces competitors with stages of a completely different character on each day.
The third of the big six rallies run so far this year, Argentina is another true classic and one that tests crews with very different conditions on each day of competition. The event has been run in May as part of the World Rally Championship for the last two years, but this season sees the event brought forwards by six weeks in a return to March running which may present more unpredictable weather to add to the mix.
Autosport (UK):
Solberg warns against raised hopes
Subaru's Petter Solberg has warned against raised expectations ahead of next weekend's Rally Argentina, following teammate Chris Atkinson's strong showing in Rally Mexico.
Subaru warn against 2WD future Subaru warn against 2WD future
Subaru World Rally Team managing director Richard Taylor believes the manufacturer would quit the World Rally Championship if a two-wheel-drive future is enforced by the FIA.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Two-Wheel Drives For The Future WRC?
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has scheduled a meeting on March 26th to discuss the future of the World Rally Championship. As is well known, the series will be going through many changes in the coming years, thereby assuring that the WRC cars as they presently stand are bound to be transformed over the next few seasons.
India Times.com: Formula 1, a big money venture
In minutes we were deep inside automotive performance technology and he regaled me with the stuff that the new Subaru STI world rally car will have. The new Subaru platform that Naren will be driving is completely new. The mechanicals are a super evolved version of the earlier versions. Even the famed all wheel drive system has undergone a huge change. Undoubtedly Subaru means business.


03/05
afp.google.com: Aussie Atkinson targets maiden rallying victory
Australia's Chris Atkinson has set his sights on a maiden world championship victory after achieving his best career finish in the Rally of Mexico. The Subaru driver battled to a hard-fought second place behind four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb. It was his second podium in three rallies this season and lifted him to fourth overall in the drivers' championship, just six points off the lead in the 15-race series
SWRT.com: Rally Mexico day three bulletin
Chris Atkinson and Stephane Prevot completed Rally Mexico in spectacular style, recording their highest ever finish together in a World Rally Championship event with a hard-fought second place. Meanwhile Petter Solberg and Phil Mills pushed hard to clinch the final Manufacturers’ Championship point, keeping the Subaru World Rally Team in second position in the overall standings.

02/27
Subaru World Rally Team:
Rally Mexico stage summaries with Stéphane Prévot
SS1/SS4 Alfaro (22.96km)
Like most of the stages this year, Alfaro is the same route as was used last year, although it’s very slightly shorter. We also used this stage back on the inaugural Rally Mexico in 2004, so everyone will know it pretty well. It’s quite a long stage, but not too tricky, and the road condition was good in the stages.
Rally Mexico preview
The Subaru World Rally Team will travel west to the Americas for the third event of the season, the Corona Rally Mexico, after its late inclusion in this year’s WRC calendar. The first traditional gravel rally of the year is also the first long-haul event, and the only time the crews will visit the North American continent.
The Impreza's brakes - an asphalt vs. gravel comparison
Brakes are an essential component of any WRC car, and in slowing the car down play just as important a role in boosting overall speed. Quite apart from simply slowing the car, drivers use the brakes to position and balance the car on its approach to corners and to slide through tight hairpins whilst maintaining engine speed.
Rally America: Block takes 100 Acre Wood win
Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block made it three in a row on Saturday, claiming yet another win at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. “I love Missouri,” said Block at the finish. “I’ll gladly come back and rally here any time.” This fast and flowing southern Missouri event clearly suits Block’s flat-out style. He earned the first overall win of his rally career here in 2006 and has taken victory here every year since. The unseasonably cold weather at this round turned what is typically a gravel event to an ice and snow rally, and Block rose to the challenge yet again.
Crash.net (UK):
Petter: We've made some good steps.
Following round two in the championship the Norwegian went straight to Spain, where the Subaru WRT conducted a four-day gravel test. Petter ran for two and a half days, while team-mate Chris Atkinson took over for the remainder.
Pirelli's Scorpion tyre to make debut in Mexico.
Pirelli's new 'Scorpion' tyre will make its first appearance in the WRC on the Corona Rally Mexico this weekend, the third round in the series and the first gravel event of '08. The event, which takes place on roads around Leon, will make an excellent test bed for the specialised rubber that Pirelli has developed for the gravel events.

02/17
TimesOnline (UK): Okay, Jeremy Clarkson, who’s the slow coach now?
Last month my husband Jeremy made some disparaging remarks about rallying while reviewing the new Subaru Impreza WRX STi. According to him, rallying is “a sport for the terminally gormless”. Not only that but a person (and by that I think he meant a normal, non-professional driver) who thinks rallying is fun and who indulges his passion in his spare time “breathes through his mouth and has short legs, no forehead and one, possibly lacerated, eye”.
Motorsport.com: WRC drivers benefit from side impact protection
JSP, the leading supplier of ARPRO expanded polypropylene (EPP), is supplying a number of leading WRC teams with side-impact protection measures in line with the FIA's safety mandate for 2008. The FIA has delivered an improved safety package for World Rally Championship cars, where a new Advanced Side Impact System will aim to reduce side impact injuries to drivers and co-drivers.
Rally Norway: World Record in successful WRC preparations With a very successful first WRC event on Norwegian soil, Rally Norway is going all out to ensure that Rally Norway is a regular organiser on the future WRC calendar.
Rally Norway 2007 was the largest spectator event in Norway this year. All preliminary evaluation has given Rally Norway top marks as a first time organizer, which is an excellent reference when Norway is being considered as a candidate for future WRC events.
AME Info: Service Park to be completed on time to welcome the world
Jordan is in the midst of carrying out a massive construction operation to create a brand new area that will become the heart of the fast approaching FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from April 24-27.
The Service Park, which houses the competing cars along with entertainment and cultural activity, is currently taking shape less just 1km from the rally headquarters and its location, overlooking the famous Dead Sea, is set to provide one of the world's most spectacular sporting venues.
SWRT: Swedish Rally day three bulletin
The Subaru World Rally Team entry of Petter Solberg and Phil Mills finished the Swedish Rally in fourth overall after the final day of gravel-strewn forest roads. Chris Atkinson and Stéphane Prévot continued to climb the rankings to collect an all-important Manufacturers’ championship point

02/09
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Wilks still aiming for WRC
"The Subaru definitely seems to be OK and they have done work on it over the off-season, but they have not made a great change. David Richards [Subaru boss] has been quoted as saying they need to stop work on that car and concentrate on making the new car better now, which I think is definitely a wise move. But they have started the year reasonably well in Monte Carlo with the old car.
Sport Compact Car: Mud, Sweat And Tears - Team O Neil Rally School
"Stay off the cheese." Instructor Wyatt Knox's voice makes it through my thick helmet, but it's too late for driving tips. I've whipped the old Audi 4000 way too wide into the sweeping corner in front of the barn that houses Team O'Neil's main offices and classroom. The front-heavy Bavarian plows relentlessly, pushing off the packed dirt and tracking into half-foot thick mud. It's all over. Brace for impact.
The Chief (CA): Pat Richards rallies again
Local rally car champion Pat Richard of Rocket Rally Racing is steering Subaru Canada’s return to racing and the release of the 2008 Impreza WRX STI. “It’s a big project,” said Richard, who expects the contract will lead to at least another four building requests. “The contract with Subaru not only allows us to build the two cars for them but we’re also going to be one of the two authorized shops to build the new elite cars for Subaru customers.”
Inside Track: CRC Round 1 Preview: Rallye Perce Neige Maniwaki
The nation's top rally drivers are set to kick off the 2008 Canadian Rally Championship Presented by Subaru February 8-9 at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki. Defending Canadian champion driver Antoine L'Estage and his co-driver Nathalie Richard will battle it out against the best of the rest at the winter-weather event in the Gatineau region of Quebec. The Hyundai-supported driver has claimed back-to-back Canadian Rally Champion titles.
Rally Sport Magazine (AU): Arai gives Impreza debut win in Japan
Toshi Arai debuted his new 2008 Subaru Impreza at last weekend’s Rally of Tsumagoi, held on the snowy roads beneath the Mt Asama volcano in Japan. The event was a shakedown for the new Impreza, built by Arai Motorsport, and the new Subaru run faultlessly throughout the day.
Crash.net (UK): Q&A: Chris Atkinson - EXCLUSIVE.
Subaru's Chris Atkinson got his 2008 season off to a fabulous start on the Rallye Monte Carlo when he brought his Impreza WRC car home in third place after an exciting battle with Stobart Ford's Francois Duval. Crash.net Radio caught up with the Aussie recently to chat about that and the next round in the championship, the Swedish Rally, which takes place this weekend...

01/29
Rally America: Canadian Antoine L’Estage takes first win of the 2008 Rally America season
Canadian Antoine L’Estage won the Sno*Drift rally, the first round of the 2008 Rally America National Championship Series season, after race leader and two-time series champion Travis Pastrana struck a deer and retired late in the event. Fellow Canadian and winter-driving veteran Andrew Comrie-Picard – who won the event in 2006 – earned second place. Eighteen-year-old American Kyle Sarasin, the 2007 Rally America rookie of the year, finished third overall in his debut in the series’ elite Open class.
Swrt: Marking the change to Pirelli
Rallye Monte Carlo marked the first competitive outing of the World Rally Championship with Pirelli as the single tyre supplier. The control tyres will be used by all manufacturer teams throughout the year, and present limited tread and compound choices on each event. The cutting of tyres and anti-deflation mousse are two elements have also been banned. Tyre choice may have become easier, but no less critical.
Crash.net (UK): Atkinson: Pressure was just huge.
"To finish third is fantastic for me and the team. The pressure today was huge, we just had to drive flat out and do everything we could to stay ahead," he reflected.
Autosport (UK): Subaru delighted with podium finish
The head of Subaru's motorsport activities believes Chris Atkinson's podium finish at the Monte Carlo Rally will provide a vital boost for the team. Atkinson held off Stobart Ford's Francois Duval by just 1.1 seconds to take third on the 2008 World Rally Championship season-opener.
Gulf Times: Nasser al-Attiyah leads Qatar podium sweep
QATAR’S Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah produced a dominant display along with Ulster co-driver Chris Patterson to claim his sixth straight victory as the local drivers completed a sweep of the podium places in the NBK Qatar International Rally, round one of the 2008 FIA Middle East Rally Championship yesterday.
Crash.net (UK): Martin conducts first test with new Impreza.
Subaru World Rally Team test driver Markko Martin has said that his first test with the new Impreza WRC2008 was 'promising'. The Estonian completed his first week aboard the car yesterday [Friday], notching up almost 1000 kilometres in total over the five days in Sardinia, while his team-mates, Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson were in action on day 2 of the Rallye Monte Carlo with the 2007 spec car.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland:
Subaru In A Nail-Biting Climax
After four days, 19 stages and 362.39 competitive kilometres, Chris Atkinson triumphed in his momentous battle for third to start the season with a well-deserved podium. Petter Solberg achieved his best result on this event in fifth place overall, earning the Subaru World Rally Team second in the Manufacturers' Championship.
Pirelli Reveals New Winter Tyre Range For Wrc
Pirelli has completed the presentation of its range of tyres for this year's FIA World Rally Championship with two winter tyres: the Pirelli Sottozero "Snow" and Pirelli Sottozero "Ice". These are two quite different tyres, each of which has been specifically designed to offer the best possible performance during very specialized rallies such as Monte Carlo and Sweden. The tyre for the first event of the season is available in two versions, with or without studs, depending on the rally's road conditions.

01/22
SpeedTV: WRC: Changes, Challenges as a New Season Dawns
Subaru’s Petter Solberg indicated this year’s new tire regulations, which have banned the use of anti-deflation devices, will force the drivers to be cautious: “It is important to get into a rhythm straight away and settle into a pace you feel comfortable with,” he said. “With no anti-deflation mousse, you can’t take risks in the stages as a puncture could finish your rally. There will be a lot of snow, I think, and Monte is always tricky anyway, so it won’t be easy, that’s for sure. It will be about who can make the most of their tires and adapt to the conditions fastest, but if someone manages something special with them people will follow quickly.”
Inside Track: Subaru Canada returns to rallying with the newly launched 2008 SUbaru WRX STI piloted by rally champion Pat Richard.
Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce that 2008 will mark its long-anticipated return to rally racing in Canada. Subaru has entered into a joint agreement with Rocket Rally Racing in Squamish, British Columbia to build two new 2008 Impreza WRX STI race cars. One car will be for competition purposes and the other car will be for promotion and display at various events and venues across the country.
Rallye-info.com: New Impreza debuts in Monte Carlo!
All Subaru fans awake now? No, the works drivers still have to wait for their new WRCar. But it is true. Swiss privateer Olivier Burri makes the surprise perfect turning up at Rallye Monte Carlo 2008 tests with a new "GE" generation Subaru Impreza WRX!
Gulf Times: Al-Attiyah all set to debut new Prodrive Subaru Impreza
DEFENDING FIA Middle East rally champion Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah and Ulster co-driver Chris Patterson will debut Prodrive's latest specification Subaru Impreza WRX STi N14 during this weekend's Qatar International Rally, round one of the 2008 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
Autosport.com (UK): Richards says new Subaru a winner
He told this week's Autosport: "The car will win on any surface this year and I believe both our drivers are capable of doing it. "We've had no problems with it so far and, with the resources we've got working on it, I don't see why we shouldn't have a competitive car by mid-year."
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland: Parallel Testing Programmes At Subaru
The Subaru team put the Impreza WRC2007 through its paces recently as drivers and technicians prepared for next week's opening round of the championship in Monte Carlo. A separate testing programme with the new Impreza WRC2008 is also well underway however, ahead of its planned launch later on in the season.

01/15
SWRT: 2008 test update
To date this season Petter and Chris have been involved in testing the WRC2007 on two occasions, ahead of Rallye Monte Carlo and again in Sweden ahead of the rally on 8-10 February.
Crash.net (UK): Subaru: Work with new car going well.
"Markko Martin commences testing within the next month, which will signal a move to setup and endurance-orientated work, rather than just shakedown runs.
Yahoo! UK & Ireland: Pirelli Launches The New Scorpion Tyre
The new WRC gravel tyre from Pirelli is an innovative product that is both robust and environmentally friendly

01/10
Rally America:
Proven Winners, Talented Newcomers to Contest 2008 Rally America Series Season
Building on a successful 2007 season that featured unprecedented close competition and the emergence of new series stars, the nation’s top rally racing drivers will kick off the 2008 Rally America National Championship Series season at the demanding Sno*Drift rally from Jan. 25-26 in Atlanta, Mich.
Sarasin to Advance to Open Class Competition in 2008
CPD Racing will field 2007 Rally America Rookie of the Year Kyle Sarasin in the series' elite Open class in 2008.
Following a successful two-day test in the snow earlier this month, the team was suitably impressed with Sarasin's performance to upgrade the 19-year-old from his Group 5 Ford Focus to an Open class Subaru Impreza.
Autosport.com (UK): Richards wants results with new car
"So far testing is going very well," he said. "Markko is very pleased with the results, and we'll show the car in public in the next few months, then people will see it for real in the WRC before the end of the season."
Rally-Live: Sircombe Takes Leave
After clinching the 2007 Production Car World Rally Championship title with Toshi Arai, co-driver Tony Sircombe has decided to retire. He will be leaving the sport to continue work on commercial aspects.
SWRT: Q&A with Paul Howarth, Operations Director
Paul Howarth on the year ahead, tyres and the new car
RallySport Magazine (AU): Atkinson prepares for WRC opener
Atkinson spoke to RallySport Magazine just after landing at Heathrow airport, where he was awaiting a connecting flight to begin preparations for the Monte Carlo Rally later this month.
“I’m about to start a two-day test in preparation for Monte Carlo,” he said. “We are still trying different settings on the current Impreza World Rally Car, prior to the new car being debuted later in the season.”
Atkinson said that the team had tried many different settings on the car towards the end of the 2007 championship, some of which had made the car faster, and some of which hadn’t.

01/04
SWRT: Martin signs as SWRT test driver
Markko Martin has signed as the official test driver for the Subaru World Rally Team, as the team steps up its testing programme in preparation for the launch of its all-new Impreza World Rally Car.
Crash.net (UK):
Official: Martin inks deal with Subaru.
Markko Martin has signed a deal that will see him become the official test driver for the SubaruWorld Rally Team in 2008, as the Banbury-based outfit steps up its testing programme in preparation for the launch of its all new Impreza WRCcar.
We have a plan, says Howarth.
"We are not saying yet when it will be out. But the main priority is to make sure we deliver a new car for the team to use in the championship, which is competitive against the Citroen and the Ford - and as long as we can do that we can get back to where we should be," he continued. "It will be good to have a clean piece of paper and start again."
Subaru: We have no agreement with Pons.
The Spaniard though did not appear on the entry list for the season opening Rallye Monte Carlo, which gets underway in a few weeks time and it still remains unclear as to whether he will climb aboard an Impreza WRC in 2008.
Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland:
Jari Ketomaa Enters The 2008 PWRC Season
Double Finnish Rally Champion Jari Ketomaa will be facing new challenges in the forthcoming 2008 season as he enters the Production Car World Rally Championship behind the steering wheel of a Subaru Impreza. For several years Ketomaa has been driving in top positions within the demanding Finnish Rally Championship, winning the nation's Group N titles in 2006 and 2007.
Pirelli Back In The WRC
After spending 2007 away from the World Rally Championship, Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli will be making its return to the series this year. The firm's engineers wasted no time in preparing Pirelli's role as sole tyre supplier to the WRC, as several compounds and designs were tested during the last several months.
Subaru Working On The New Impreza WRC
The last month of 2007 saw the first test sessions of the new Subaru Impreza WRC car in Warwickshire, UK, with additional shakedown runs over gravel and tarmac surfaces to be conducted soon by drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson.

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