Subaru Rally Team USA to Debut Two New Open Class Cars at Rim of the World SCCA ProRally
- New Open Class Cars Will Feature More WRC Technology -
CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 22 -- Subaru Rally Team USA today announced that they will debut two new Open Class cars at the 2003 SCCA Rim of the World Rally in Palmdale, CA. Returning drivers are Mark Lovell, the 2001 SCCA Open Class driver champion, and Ramana Lagemann, who recently competed in the group N championship at the 2003 Propecia Rally New Zealand, finishing 10th out of 46 Group N entries in this extremely competitive class.
"Rim of the World was the debut event for Subaru Rally Team USA in 2001," said Subaru of America Brand Strategy Manager, Jeff Walters. "We won the Open Class and Group N at that event. It is very appropriate that we will debut the new generation rally cars there."
Rim of the World Rally celebrates its 20th consecutive running this year, and is the second rally of the nine rally SCCA ProRally series. The event has grown steadily over the last several years, with an increasing number of both entrants and spectators. The rally takes place in the Angeles National Forest, and is famous for its tight, twisting stage roads which often run along the ridges of the mountains, as well as the famed "waterbars" which are often punishing to a car's suspension.
"Rim of the World will be a great event to introduce the new Open cars," said Subaru Rally Team USA Director, David Campion. "The new cars have been constructed using technology derived from the World Rally Championship, with improvements to the engine management system, IHI turbocharger, and Alcon/Prodrive braking system. We feel that Subaru Rally Team USA will be the team to beat for the driver's and manufacturer's championships this year."
Lovell, a 42-year old native of Axbridge, England, returns for his third year with Subaru Rally Team USA and brings with him over twenty years of worldwide rally experience. Returning with Lovell at Rim of the World will be Steve Turvey, the 2002 SCCA co-driver's champion. Turvey hopes to help Lovell repeat their 2001 season performance, and the Championship victory, beginning with a win at Rim of the World.
Lagemann, a 23-year old native of Boston, Mass., made his debut last year as a member of Subaru Rally Team USA, driving one of two Open Class Impreza WRX rally cars. Lagemann will be teamed with co-driver Michael Orr, a native of Bangor, Ireland, who entered his first stage rally ten years ago at the age of 17, and brings with him the experience of competing in over 100 events in a variety of countries.
About Subaru Rally Team USA
In its debut season, Subaru Rally Team USA captured the 2001 SCCA ProRally Manufacturer's Championship, as well as Driver's Championships in both the Open and Group N classes. Subaru Rally Team USA is a collaborative effort between Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STi) and Subaru World Rally Team Representative, Prodrive. Subaru Rally Team USA uses Pirelli tires exclusively. For additional information about the team, visit www.rally.Subaru.com or www.media.Subaru.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only manufacturer to have all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle they make. Subaru has been the best-selling import wagon in America for the past 20 years, based on R.L. Polk & Company new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2002.