Southo
19-12-05, 09:09 AM
Official Press Release.......
December 19 2005
Subaru Launches Tarmac Rally Attack at Mt.Buller
Just weeks after announcing its withdrawal from the Australian Rally Championship, Subaru Australia has confirmed a new factory backed tarmac rally programme in 2006, starting with the Porsche Mt.Buller Sprint from January 26-29.
2005 Australian Rally Championship runners-up, Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes will take on the Porsche 911 GT2 of reigning Mt.Buller champion Jim Richards and a record 138 other competitors in the challenging timed blast up the 16km long Tourist Road to the Mt.Buller Village over the Australia Day Long weekend.
At this stage the West Australians’ Mt.Buller weapon is expected to be one of the Subaru Rally Team Australia’s (SRTA’s) current Impreza WRX STI ARC cars converted to 400HP/1350kg tarmac rally specifications.
Subaru Australia’s Managing Director Nick Senior said while he expected Herridge to be competitive, the team was not going to the event that has been dominated by Porsches since its inception two years ago with any real expectations.
“We’ll be taking a low key but professional approach through SRTA,” he said. “However there will be no big team pantechnicons and no fanfare.”
He also confirmed that Subaru’s Porsche Mt.Buller Sprint entry is not a one off, but part of a limited programme of tarmac events in 2006.
“We’re also looking at Rally Tasmania and Targa Tasmania, but no final decisions have yet been made,” he said. “Principally, 2006 is a development year.”
Herridge is well-prepared to become a top tarmac driver. He and Bill Hayes wrapped up the runner-up spot in the 2005 Australian Rally Championship in the final round at Bathurst, finishing behind Victorians Cody Crocker and Dale Moscatt and ahead of Toyota’s Simon and Sue Evans.
Crocker’s victory was the 10th ARC title in a row for Subaru, but in tarmac rallying where Porsches have dominated since the mid-1990s, Subaru’s only major success to date has been the victory by privateers Tony Sullens and Julia Rabbett in the 2004 Targa Tasmania.
“Dean Herridge in a works Subaru will be a real threat, that’s for sure,” said Jim Richards, who with regular navigator Barry Oliver will be defending their 2005 victory in his two wheel drive 540HP (400kW) 2004 model Porsche 911 GT2. “Those little cars are made for this sort of thing.”
The entry will also be a major distraction for Tasmania’s John and Justin White, who have their eye on Jim Richards’ crown in the ex-Lamborghini Australia V10 four wheel drive Gallardo.
However leading Mitsubishi Evo competitor Jeff Beaumont, is not so sure.
“Four wheel drive is quicker up the top of the mountain where the course gets tighter, but in the earlier faster section, there’s still nothing to touch a Porsche if it’s dry,” he said.
ENDS
December 19 2005
Subaru Launches Tarmac Rally Attack at Mt.Buller
Just weeks after announcing its withdrawal from the Australian Rally Championship, Subaru Australia has confirmed a new factory backed tarmac rally programme in 2006, starting with the Porsche Mt.Buller Sprint from January 26-29.
2005 Australian Rally Championship runners-up, Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes will take on the Porsche 911 GT2 of reigning Mt.Buller champion Jim Richards and a record 138 other competitors in the challenging timed blast up the 16km long Tourist Road to the Mt.Buller Village over the Australia Day Long weekend.
At this stage the West Australians’ Mt.Buller weapon is expected to be one of the Subaru Rally Team Australia’s (SRTA’s) current Impreza WRX STI ARC cars converted to 400HP/1350kg tarmac rally specifications.
Subaru Australia’s Managing Director Nick Senior said while he expected Herridge to be competitive, the team was not going to the event that has been dominated by Porsches since its inception two years ago with any real expectations.
“We’ll be taking a low key but professional approach through SRTA,” he said. “However there will be no big team pantechnicons and no fanfare.”
He also confirmed that Subaru’s Porsche Mt.Buller Sprint entry is not a one off, but part of a limited programme of tarmac events in 2006.
“We’re also looking at Rally Tasmania and Targa Tasmania, but no final decisions have yet been made,” he said. “Principally, 2006 is a development year.”
Herridge is well-prepared to become a top tarmac driver. He and Bill Hayes wrapped up the runner-up spot in the 2005 Australian Rally Championship in the final round at Bathurst, finishing behind Victorians Cody Crocker and Dale Moscatt and ahead of Toyota’s Simon and Sue Evans.
Crocker’s victory was the 10th ARC title in a row for Subaru, but in tarmac rallying where Porsches have dominated since the mid-1990s, Subaru’s only major success to date has been the victory by privateers Tony Sullens and Julia Rabbett in the 2004 Targa Tasmania.
“Dean Herridge in a works Subaru will be a real threat, that’s for sure,” said Jim Richards, who with regular navigator Barry Oliver will be defending their 2005 victory in his two wheel drive 540HP (400kW) 2004 model Porsche 911 GT2. “Those little cars are made for this sort of thing.”
The entry will also be a major distraction for Tasmania’s John and Justin White, who have their eye on Jim Richards’ crown in the ex-Lamborghini Australia V10 four wheel drive Gallardo.
However leading Mitsubishi Evo competitor Jeff Beaumont, is not so sure.
“Four wheel drive is quicker up the top of the mountain where the course gets tighter, but in the earlier faster section, there’s still nothing to touch a Porsche if it’s dry,” he said.
ENDS