Subaru Raises Stakes in Subaru Cup Championship -- Company Announces Plans for 2004 Subaru Rally Team USA --
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 4, 2003 -- Subaru of America, Inc., the only car company that offers symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line, today announced it has nearly doubled its investment in the Subaru Cup Championship, helping to make rallying more rewarding and affordable for eligible Subaru privateers in the Group N class. The company also announced its plans for a new driver lineup on Subaru Rally Team USA for the 2004 SCCA ProRally series.
"In its inaugural year, the Subaru Cup Championship has established itself as an exciting and dramatic championship series for Group N Subaru competitors and spectators alike," said James Han, manager Subaru Rally Team USA, Subaru of America, Inc. "Because of the program's success this season, Subaru will nearly double the investment for the 2004 Subaru Cup Championship, further enhancing the value of our contingency program for eligible entrants."
For 2004, Subaru will not only award significant year-end payouts under the Subaru Cup Championship, but it will augment the program by awarding prize money for each event and extending, for the first time, Subaru parts assistance funds.
Subaru will also continue to sponsor a ClubRally contingency program, and new for 2004 will extend its contingency umbrella to include Subaru Production GT entrants.
Subaru also announced today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, its plans for the 2004 Subaru Rally Team USA. Driver Ramana Lagemann, along with co-driver Michael Orr, will again pilot their Impreza WRX rally car, along with Pasi Hagstrom and his co-driver Marko Taskinen, who are set to officially return next season after successfully stepping in at the end of 2003. This formidable lineup will again campaign for the 2004 SCCA ProRally Manufacturer's Championship.
Ramana 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 is teamed with co-driver Michael Orr, a native of Bangor, Ireland, who entered his first stage at the age of 17 and brings with him the experience of competing in over 100 events in a variety of countries. The pair finished a strong third in the Open Class of the 2003 Manufacturer's Championship.
Pasi Hagstrom is a 12-year rally veteran and captured the Finnish Championship title in 1999. He made his WRC debut in 1994, driving successfully for another manufacturer prior to joining the Subaru World Rally Team as a test driver in 2002. Hagstrom made his competitive US ProRally debut for Subaru Rally Team USA in September of this year, winning the Wild West Rally in Olympia, Wash. along with co-driver Marko Taskinen.
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 of America, Inc. is the only car company that offers symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. 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.