Subaru Shifts Focus of 2004 US Motor Sports Program

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 14, 2004 -- Subaru of America, Inc., the only car company that features Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line, today announced it will shift the focus of its motor sports program in the United States for 2004. Subaru will withdraw its factory team from competition this year in the SCCA ProRally Championship Series, and focus support on the efforts of Subaru privateers through increased contingency funds and on-site parts support under the new Subaru Rally Support Program. The company will also contribute to the SCCA Partnership Bonus Program this year.

"We came to this decision based primarily on the lack of manufacturer competition within the Open Class category for 2004," said Tim Bennett, director of marketing programs, Subaru of America, Inc. "Subaru will remain the largest official contingency sponsor of the 2004 SCCA ProRally Championship and contribute to the SCCA Partnership Bonus Program, exhibiting our commitment to facilitating the growth of rallying in the US."

Under the new Subaru Rally Support Program, the company will maintain the highest total contingency payout through the Subaru Championship Cup program and offer contingency funds to Subaru entrants in the Production GT Class and at selected ClubRally events. Subaru will provide a Subaru Rally Parts Support Truck on-site at most ProRally events to offer competitors access to Genuine Subaru Parts.

The SCCA Partnership Bonus Program offers event organizers financial and operational assistance for continued development of their individual events. This initiative is designed to improve such things as operational consistency throughout the championship, marketing and public relations efforts. For more information visit www.scca.com.

In addition, Subaru will continue to be the primary broadcast sponsor of the World Rally Championship programming on Speed Channel for 2004.