Subaru’s are known for their distinctive blue and yellow colour scheme. The branding stems from a sponsorship deal with the cigarette brand, State Express 555. The cigarettes were popular in Asia at the time. As a result of the sponsorship, the 555 logos were featured on Subaru rally cars from 1993 to 2003.
Subaru’s real entry into the world of rallying began in 1989 when it joined forces with Prodrive, the UK-based motorsport preparation specialists, to campaign the new Subaru Legacy RS. The company did compete in rally events in the 80s but had little success.
Since then, the Subaru World Rally Team has claimed many World Rally Championship titles. Six to be exact (It has won the manufacturers’ championship three times in 1995, 1996, and 1997, and the drivers’ championship three times, in 1995, 2001, and 2003.) To this date, Subaru has competed in the WRC longer than any other vehicle manufacturer team in their current form.
In 2008, Subaru announced that it had accomplished its sporting and marketing objectives in the WRC and that it would withdraw the team. The decision was namely made by Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). Furthermore, many believe the economic downturn to be a major factor in this decision.
Subaru Rally Team USA
While the Subaru World Rally Team no longer competes in the WRC, teams such as the Subaru Rally Team USA are still very active. The team was actually started in 2000 with Prodrive cars that raced in the SCCA ProRally championship.
In 2006, the team management was handed over to Vermont Sports Car, which continues to run the operations. Currently, Subaru Rally Team USA competes in the Rally America National Championship, Global Rallycross Championship, Canadian Rally Championship, The X Games and The World Rally Championship. To be continued.
