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One of the problems Prodrive have had is that Subaru Technica International in Japan have refused to allow the cars to run with sponsorship. Ever since the famous 555 sponsorship ended, they have insisted on the cars appearing just in their own blue and gold colours.
Prodrive will now be free to look for outside financial support just as Ford and Citroen have done.
Nothing confirmed, its all speculation, but we can hope!
I had the same thought of Prodrive running a team.
It would be in there own interest to continue at the top level of rallying.
They sell so many World Rally cars to privateers, that probably make far more financially than running the works team.
The entry has already been paid, I'm sure the FIA aren't as stupid as to not let the name be changed to help have another manufacturer in the championship. (although at times I wonder)
If the FIA are prats, register as an M2 team, they will get the same TV coverage if they are on the pace, but for a cheaper entry.
As you have said that they can now have their own livery for sponsorship.
I know times are hard but there must surely be a company out there that would be interested in sponsoring the most Iconic brand in Rallying.
You only have to go on stage to see the amount of Subaru clothing. It probably sells 4 to 1 against all the other brands together.
Lets be honest, if you ask anybody aged from 5 to 75 to name a rally car they would say Subaru.
Its such a shame as they had a chance of the Abu Dhabi sponsorship but the Japs said only a 1 year deal not 5 as AD wanted, So Ford rubbed there hands and said yes please. Although I think Malcolm Wilson has done fantastic by not only having the team sponsored, but the championship, Rally radio etc.
Hopefully they will still be able to run a 3rd car for Guy Wilks. He would be a tremendous asset to them. He really is good when it comes to testing. He would probably be better in getting the car set up & on the pace than anybody would give credit for.
I predict that if Guy gets a chance he will be up with or past Atko in 6 rallies. The rest will be down to the car.
If Subaru UK want to sell cars they would help finance Guy. A decent brit in a Scooby would sell cars.
We all know that a brit in a Subaru = World Rally Champion.
It would be great to see Prodive/Subaru out in Ireland, but Petter doesn't seem to think it very likely: Solberg: Ireland entry unlikely. | WRC News | Crash.Net
On the other hand, there's doubtless some politics behind what's being said at the moment, so, as ever, I guess it's watch this space.
WRC website rumour is that Atkinson has a drive for Citreon B team, which is quite astonishing! Let's face it he has never won a rally. Solberg & Mills flew to Japan to discuss their future with Subaru top brass?
Even without factory backing, the car has shown little signs of being competitive and still reliability problems creep into play with component failure. Citreon spent a year developing the C4 before making it's debut and it starting winning instantly. Their cars are also very reliable. Ultimately this makes the difference.
Autosport suggest there is going to be a shake up of design staff at Prodrive, but the WRC team only accounted for 20% of Prodrive's portfolio.
With only 2 teams in 2009 there is little media attraction.
WRC website rumour is that Atkinson has a drive for Citreon B team, which is quite astonishing! Let's face it he has never won a rally.
From what i've read, the Citroen "junior" team is confirmed, although Atkinson is being treated as a customer driver and having to pay for the every round he competes in. He's only confirmed for Ireland so far, but is apparently hoping to do 8 rounds of the 2009 season in the C4. Other team drivers are Novikov, Rautenbach, and Ogier - although no idea how many drives each will get if they're only running 2 cars
Possible 2009 Prodrive WRC team?
