"Subaru wanted to launch the new WRX in a way that would be consistent with the enthusiast following it had developed prior to its introduction," says Subaru of America brand strategy manager, Jeff Walters. "The SCCA ProRally team and the affiliation as an official supporter of the SCCA are a logical extension of our Driving Performance strategy that began with the Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe in the 1998 model year."
Subaru, no stranger to the world of rally competition, assembled a group of experts to build Subaru Rally Team USA, which went on to capture the Manufacturers' Championship, as well as the Open Class and Group N Championships in its first season.
The Drivers: For 2003, Subaru Rally Team USA is once again represented by 2001 SCCA Open Class champion and British Rally champion Mark Lovell and American Ramana Lagemann.
"The SCCA ProRally Championship is fiercely competitive," says Mark Lovell. "There's a level of competition here that rivals the WRC in terms of both the drivers and the cars. I aim to win the championship for the Subaru team this year."
Lovell, a 23-year veteran of rally, got his start when he answered an ad on the back of a TV Times Guide seeking a young British rally driver. Besides the British Rally Championship, he also holds the title in the Malaysian Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Championship. Co-driving responsibilities for Lovell will be shared by rally veteran and returning Subaru Rally Team USA co-driver Steve Turvey, and a new face on the U.S. rally scene this year, Chris Patterson.
Lagemann joined the team in 2002, and has the distinction of being the youngest driver ever on a factory-backed team, as well as the youngest driver to seriously contest the U.S. Championship. Ramana will be joined by Michael Orr as his co-driver this year.
Prior to joining Subaru Rally Team USA, Ramana Lagemann drove a Group N Impreza WRX. He got his first taste of rally at the age of eight, when he saw a television show called "Secrets of Speed," which featured classic rally footage.
"I knew right then I was hooked on rally," says Ramana. "My goal is to make the most of my experiences in the SCCA ProRally, and hopefully earn a drive on the World Rally Championship."
Management: Subaru Rally Team USA is a global effort by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI) and Subaru 555 World Rally Team representative, Prodrive. The team utilizes much of the same engineering expertise of the Subaru 555 World Rally Team.
"Subaru Rally Team USA will be stronger than ever this year," says Walters. "We're capitalizing on the synergies of the Subaru 555 World Rally Team to make a more concerted effort this year."
The Cars: The 2003 Subaru Rally Team USA cars will feature enhanced performance, using some of the same technologies found on the WRC cars and optimized for the SCCA Open Class requirements.
"This year's car is even more competitive than its predecessor," said Lovell. "The improvements are sure to put us on track for winning the SCCA Championship."
In fact, the new Open Class cars have even more horsepower than the WRC cars, due to a difference in specification for the restrictor plate. The SCCA Open Class allows a 40mm restrictor plate vs. the WRC spec of 34mm, giving the Open Class car approximately 380 hp at 5500 rpm. Other refinements for 2003 include the adjustable suspension, six-speed manual gearbox with electro-hydraulic center differential, and large-diameter, 305mm Alcon/Prodrive ventilated disc brakes with four-piston calipers, front and rear. As before, Subaru Rally Team USA uses Pirelli tires exclusively, a common bond it shares with the Subaru 555 World Rally Team.
"I feel 2003 will be a great year for Subaru Rally Team USA," says Lagemann. "We're poised and ready to dominate this season."