- 16 Dec 08, 11:05#85126
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From autosport.com:
Suzuki closes WRC team
By Pablo Elizalde Monday, December 15th 2008, 09:36 GMT
Suzuki has decided to pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect due to the world's financial crisis.
"In responding to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures including the reassessment of its global production output," said the Japanese car maker in a statement.
"The company, however, foresees the shrinking trend in longer periods of time rather than a short-term phenomenon.
"To secure its own business environment for tomorrow, the organization reviews every aspect of the operations and decided to focus on the core business functions such as the manufacturing system, environment technologies, and development of new-generation powertrains. As a result, Suzuki concluded to suspend the WRC activities from 2009."
Suzuki is the second major car maker to pull out of a world championship in the last 10 days, with Honda having announced their exit from Formula One.
Suzuki started its participation in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2002, before moving to the WRC in 2008 with its Junior champion Per-Gunnar Andersson and the experienced Toni Gardemeister.
The team struggled for speed and particularly reliability in the opening rounds, and by mid-season there were already rumours that the SX4 WRC project would be short-lived.
However, despite this uncertainty, Suzuki made good progress in the final part of the championship, with Andersson finishing fifth in both Japan and Great Britain, having run in the top three in the latter event.
The Japanese company said it would continue to support its customer teams taking part in the JWRC.
"Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to sponsors and fans around the world for their strong support to its activities," it added. "The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilising the experiences earned through the JWRC and WRC activities."
Subaru pulls out of the WRC
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 16th 2008, 09:28 GMT
Subaru has made a shock announcement that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
Just 24 hours after Suzuki quit the series, Subaru cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why it will also not continue.
David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.
"The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive's history, our focus now turns to the future."
Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.
A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.
"Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success," said the statement.
Subaru has struggled to find form with the Impreza in recent years. The last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. The last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.
The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.
The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.
The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.
Suzuki closes WRC team
By Pablo Elizalde Monday, December 15th 2008, 09:36 GMT
Suzuki has decided to pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect due to the world's financial crisis.
"In responding to the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil, Suzuki has been promptly taking possible countermeasures including the reassessment of its global production output," said the Japanese car maker in a statement.
"The company, however, foresees the shrinking trend in longer periods of time rather than a short-term phenomenon.
"To secure its own business environment for tomorrow, the organization reviews every aspect of the operations and decided to focus on the core business functions such as the manufacturing system, environment technologies, and development of new-generation powertrains. As a result, Suzuki concluded to suspend the WRC activities from 2009."
Suzuki is the second major car maker to pull out of a world championship in the last 10 days, with Honda having announced their exit from Formula One.
Suzuki started its participation in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2002, before moving to the WRC in 2008 with its Junior champion Per-Gunnar Andersson and the experienced Toni Gardemeister.
The team struggled for speed and particularly reliability in the opening rounds, and by mid-season there were already rumours that the SX4 WRC project would be short-lived.
However, despite this uncertainty, Suzuki made good progress in the final part of the championship, with Andersson finishing fifth in both Japan and Great Britain, having run in the top three in the latter event.
The Japanese company said it would continue to support its customer teams taking part in the JWRC.
"Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to sponsors and fans around the world for their strong support to its activities," it added. "The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilising the experiences earned through the JWRC and WRC activities."
Subaru pulls out of the WRC
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 16th 2008, 09:28 GMT
Subaru has made a shock announcement that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.
Just 24 hours after Suzuki quit the series, Subaru cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why it will also not continue.
David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.
"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.
"The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive's history, our focus now turns to the future."
Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.
A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.
"Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success," said the statement.
Subaru has struggled to find form with the Impreza in recent years. The last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. The last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.
The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.
The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.
The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
