It was only a matter of time before the new Subaru WRX STi hit the trails in North America, so it makes sense that Subaru Canada is partnering with Rocket Rally Racing and past champion Pat Richard. Both a show car and the rally car will be built, in an effort to capture the 2008 Canadian Rally Championship.
Press release after the break
SUBARU CANADA RETURNS TO RALLYING WITH THE NEWLY LAUNCHED 2008 SUBARU
IMPREZA WRX STI PILOTED BY RALLY CHAMPION PATRICK RICHARD
January 21, 2008
(MISSISSAUGA, Ontario) 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.
Subaru Canada is also delighted to announce that Patrick Richard, North
American Rally Champion, two-time Rally America National Champion and
two-time Canadian National Champion, will pilot Subaru’s factory effort
in its challenge for the national title in the 2008 Canadian Rally
Championship Series.
“I’m very excited that Subaru has decided to return to the Canadian
Rally Championship,†said Patrick Richard. “Both Rocket Rally and
Subaru Canada have a proven track record in North American Rallying, and
together we will be aiming to continue that success in 2008.”
Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of SCI stated, “We introduced the
new generation Impreza in July to rave reviews and the new Impreza WRX
STI is just hitting the market now. Sales of our first generation
Impreza WRX and WRX STIs benefited greatly from our competition in the
Canadian Rally Championship, so it makes great marketing sense to return
to competition with the latest generation of our rally-inspired Impreza.”
“I am really looking forward to Subaru’s return to competition,” said
Brian Hyland, director of sponsorships and distribution for SCI. “When
we retired Subaru Canada’s rally team at the end of 2004, there were
thousands of disappointed fans. We are delighted to be back in action
and to have Patrick Richard racing for Subaru Canada again – this time
in our newly launched STI. It is certain to add to the excitement of
what promises to be a competitive 2008 rally series.”
The Canadian Rally Championship Series will be broadcast on TSN across
Canada and on RDS in Quebec throughout the year.
About Subaru Canada, Inc.
Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the
company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories
through a network of over 90 authorized dealers across Canada.
About Rocket Rally Racing
Rocket Rally Racing is an independent company based in Squamish, British
Columbia. The company specializes in the preparation of competition
vehicles for motorsports use, as well as street performance tuning of
Subaru vehicles. Vehicles prepared and/or run by Rocket Rally Racing
have gone on to win the North American, Canadian, and American overall
rally championship titles.
GO Pat!
congratulation on getting back on the gravel!
Ben
je voudrait s,avoir si subaru serait capable de me commnaditer en snowboard