Subaru Unveils New WRX Rally Racer for 2023 ARA Championship

Subaru has pulled the wraps off its latest rally-bred WRX competition car. Built for the American Rally Association series, it packs racing upgrades while staying true to Subaru's rally heritage.

An Overview of Subaru's New Rally Machine

The Subaru Motorsports WRX Rally car ushers in a new challenger for the 2023 American Rally Association (ARA) Championship season.

• Purpose-built by Subaru technical partner Vermont SportsCar
• Turbo 2.0L 4-cyl engine with 320 hp and 380 lb-ft torque
• 6-speed sequential transmission and AWD drivetrain
• Lightweight body with seam welding and carbon fiber accents
• Upgraded competition suspension system
• Stripped interior with integrated roll cage
• Makes competition debut at August 2022 Ojibwe Forests Rally

This specially-developed rally racer aims to continue Subaru's long history of domination in U.S. rally competition.

Subaru's Rally Racing Pedigree

Subaru boasts one of the strongest pedigrees in American rally racing. The automaker has won multiple manufacturer's championships in the sport.

1990s-2000s

• Three-time ARA champion with the Impreza WRX between 2001-2004
• Back-to-back driver's championships in 2002 and 2003

2010s

• Manufacturer's titles in 2012 and 2013
• Driver's championship in 2014 with David Higgins

Recent

• Higgins claimed the ARA driver's championship in 2021
• Subaru has won 8 of the last 10 ARA titles

The WRX Rally racer aims to score Subaru more silverware as the ARA enters its second season under new management.

WRX Rally Car High-Performance Specs

To make the WRX a top ARA title contender, Vermont SportsCar optimized every component for rugged rally conditions:

Engine

• Turbocharged 2.0L boxer 4-cylinder
• Output capped at 320 hp and 380 lb-ft torque
• 33mm intake restrictor mandated by regulations

Drivetrain

• Sadev 6-speed sequential transmission
• Durable all-wheel drive system

Chassis/Body

• Seam welded unibody for increased structural rigidity
• Custom suspension tunings for long travel
• Quick-steering rack and competitive alignment settings
• Carbon fiber widebody exterior panels

Cockpit

• Minimalist interior with full roll cage
• Sparco racing seats and harnesses
• Digital dash and racing steering wheel
• Racing pedals and firewall-mounted handbrake

Every aspect is engineered to withstand punishing jumps, impacts, and lateral forces of rally while delivering maximum performance.

Safety First - Rally Car Safety Features

While outrageous in performance, rally cars boast state-of-the-art safety equipment to protect drivers during crashes:

• Roll cages - Critical for chassis rigidity and absorbing impact forces in a crash. Required by all sanctioning bodies.
• Racing seats - Fixed-back seats made of fire-resistant materials keep occupants tightly in place. Include cutouts to accommodate harnesses.
• Safety harnesses - Five or six-point harnesses secure driver and co-driver to seats for maximum protection in an accident. Quick-release design allows fast exit.
• Rally suits - Fire-resistant suits, gloves, balaclavas and shoes provide protection from flames and heat.
• Helmets - Lightweight carbon fiber helmets designed specifically for motorsports use. Feature face shields and fireproof materials.
• Head and neck restraints - Devices like the HANS device reduce injuries from sudden head movements during crashes.

The WRX Rally car is engineered for performance while prioritizing driver safety above all else.

Designing the WRX Rally Racer Exterior

While racing cars need no styling frills, Vermont SportsCar still took aerodynamics into account when designing the WRX Rally exterior:

• Aggressive stance - Sporty bumpers, widened fenders and huge rear wing help plant the car at speed while also looking fantastic.
• Functional carbon fiber - Lightweight carbon elements like the wide fenders, doors, and rear wing trim pounds while providing durability.
• Massive intakes - Large hood scoop, front bumper, and side intakes feed fresh cooling air to the turbo engine and brakes during long stages.
• Fender flares - Bulging wheel arches accommodate the beefy suspension and racing wheels/tires, while also facilitating airflow.
• Underbody smoothness - Belly pans and diffusers smooth underbody airflow for increased downforce and stability at high speeds.

The WRX Rally racer cuts an imposing profile worthy of its extreme performance capabilities.

The Heart of a Rally Car: Its Specialized Suspension

A competition rally car's suspension must handle brutal impacts while delivering tight handling and maximum traction. The WRX Rally boasts a custom suspension setup crafted by experts.

Long-Travel MacPherson Struts

• Allow bigger bumps to be absorbed without shocking the chassis

Adjustable Spring Rates/Damping

• Tuned for different surfaces - higher rates/damping for smooth roads, softer for rough conditions

Extended Suspension Travel

• +5 inches of lift allows traversing uneven terrain without bottoming out

Quick-Steering Rack

• Faster response for tight corners on twisty rally stages

Larger-Diameter Anti-Roll Bars

• Minimize body roll in turns for flatter, more stable cornering

Electric Power Steering

• More efficient than hydraulic systems while retaining proper rally feel

This sophisticated suspension transforms an ordinary street car into a rally monster.

Rally Car Drivetrain Tech Explained

The specialized drivetrain components in a rally racer help translate power into forward motion:

Turbocharged Engine

• A small-displacement turbo engine like the WRX's 2.0L boxer delivers broad powerband and quick response.

Lightweight Flywheel

• Lessens rotating mass for quicker revving. Critical for fast starts off the line.

Sequential Gearbox

• Enables rapid upshifts/downshifts without lifting throttle. Much faster than road car gearboxes.

All-Wheel Drive

• Vital for putting power down coming out of corners and on loose surfaces like gravel.

Limited-Slip Differentials

• Allow wheels to turn at different rates in corners while transferring torque effectively. Help power the car through turns.

Shorter Gearing

• Keeps engine in optimal rev range on tricky rally stages. Prioritizes acceleration over top speed.

This powertrain hardware withstands intense use while generating competitive speed.

Inside a Rally Car: Spartan Design Focused on Function

Rally drivers don't need plush luxury. The WRX's stripped-down interior prioritizes rally competition essentials:

Roll Cage

• Provides chassis reinforcement and protects occupants in crashes.

Racing Seats

• Fixed-back racing buckets with cutouts for harnesses keep occupants firmly in place.

Safety Harnesses

• 5/6-point harnesses secure the driver and co-driver for safety.

Digital Gauge Cluster

• Programmable display provides vitals like RPM, temps, speed, etc.

Racing Steering Wheel

• Suede-covered flat-bottom wheel with controls and quick-release.

Sequential Shifter

• Enables rapid up/downshifts for the sequential gearbox.

Hydraulic Handbrake

• Allows controlled rear wheel lockup to initiate turns.

Fire Suppression System

• Onboard extinguishers can quickly put out electrical or engine fires.

It may look spartan, but this purpose-built interior gives drivers everything needed to go fast and stay safe.

Rally Racing: An Overview for Beginners

New to the sport of rally racing? Here's a quick primer on how it works:

• Timed competitive events take place on closed public roads and paths, with the surface ranging from pavement to gravel or dirt. Courses are typically set up as a series of stages totaling 40 to 100+ miles.
• Stages feature tight, twisting routes that test driver skill and car control. Pacenotes read by a co-driver guide the driver. Speeds can exceed over 100 mph.
• Cars start stages at set intervals, racing the clock rather than wheel-to-wheel directly with competitors. Skill comes from pushing to the limit while staying in control.
• Categories are grouped by classes based on factors like drivetrain and engine size. Teams compete to have the fastest cumulative time for all stages, factoring penalties.
• Top championships include World Rally Championship (WRC), American Rally Association (ARA) in the U.S., and rally series by automakers like Subaru.

Rally demands intense concentration, car control skills, and teamwork from the driver and co-driver.

Subaru's Rally Champions Through History

Subaru has fielded plenty of legendary drivers who achieved championship success behind the wheel of their rally racers:

Colin McRae - Scottish driver who won the WRC drivers' title in 1995. His exciting style garnered widespread popularity.

Richard Burns - English driver who piloted Subaru Imprezas to victory in the 2001 WRC championship.

David Higgins - Joined Subaru rally team in 2006. Scored multiple U.S. championships and wins driving Impreza WRX models.

Travis Pastrana - X-Games icon drove Subarus competitively between 2005-2009, including ARA championships in 2006 and 2009.

Patrick Sandell - Swedish driver won two driver's titles in America during his Subaru factory tenure from 2007-2010.

Chris Atkinson - Australian who notched multiple WRC wins with Subaru between 2008-2010.

Subaru has benefited greatly from the skills of these decorated drivers throughout the automaker's rally history.

Subaru's Greatest Moments in Rally Racing

Subaru has achieved monumental successes in top-level rally competition over the decades:

1990s

• 1995 - Colin McRae wins drivers' title at WRC in a Subaru Impreza
• 1998 - Richard Burns finishes second at WRC; Subaru second in manufacturer standings

2000s

• 2001 - Richard Burns secures the WRC drivers' championship with Subaru
• 2006 - Travis Pastrana claims the Rally America championship title

2010s

• 2011 - David Higgins takes Rally America championship driving a WRX STI
• 2014 - Higgins wins his third U.S. title in a factory WRX STI

Recent

• 2021 - Subaru wins manufacturer and driver titles in the inaugural ARA season

From the WRC to U.S. events, Subaru has celebrated some of racing's greatest achievements.

Subaru's WRX Rally Car Makes Competition Debut

The wraps come off Subaru's new WRX rally racer in August 2022 as it tackles its first competitive event:

Ojibwe Forests Rally

• August 24-25, 2022 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
• Part of the American Rally Association Championship
• Marks the first competitive outing for Subaru's latest rally weapons
• Opportunity to put the WRX racer through its paces on gravel stages

Drivers

• Brandon Semenuk and co-driver Keaton Williams will pilot the #199 entry
• Both are rally veterans familiar with ARA events

Fans will eagerly follow along as this exciting new rally contender aims to continue Subaru's U.S. success story when it hits the stages later this month.

5 Key Questions About Subaru's Rally Program

How long has Subaru been involved in rally racing?

Since the 1980s, starting with lower-level events and rising to top championships.

Which driver won Subaru its first WRC title?

Scottish racing legend Colin McRae won the driver's championship in 1995.

What US championships has Subaru won?

Subaru has won numerous Rally America/American Rally Association titles since 2001.

What car did David Higgins drive to US titles?

Higgins piloted various versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

When does the new WRX rally car debut?

The 2023 WRX rally racer will first compete at the Ojibwe Forest Rally on August 24-25, 2022.

The Future of Subaru's Rally Program

With the new WRX rally car, what does the future hold for Subaru's racing efforts?

More ARA Success

Subaru will work to leverage its expertise into more American Rally Association titles in 2023 and beyond.

Expanded Team

Travis Pastrana joins the squad in a second car for select 2024 events as Subaru expands the program.

New Rally Talent

Top up-and-coming drivers like Brandon Semenuk get valuable chances to develop with the factory team.

Electric Power?

Could an electric rally car be in Subaru's future? Electrification presents new potential.

More Street Car Tech

Lessons from racing success could lead to tech like all-wheel drive diff tuning being adapted to road cars.

Subaru's rally legacy looks certain to grow stronger on the stages of the ARA in coming years.

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