For many, Subaru is not just a car manufacturer but a company that changed the rally culture and became its pillar. In one of the most popular types of motorsport, it achieved outstanding success, and its blue and yellow cars forever entered the history of the WRC. Winning various competitions and conquering the hearts of racing fans, Subaru has become a truly iconic company whose return to the top has long been awaited by motorsport fans.
Subaru in Rally Racing
Subaru first took part in rally racing in 1980. It entered the Leone, DL, SRX, and RX Turbo models, which provided good results throughout the decade. However, they were still far from significant victories. In the 90s, Subaru took part in the championship with the Legacy RS model, which the famous Impreza WRX later replaced. It was from this moment that the manufacturer achieved its first success. In 1995, the legendary Scottish racer Colin McRae won the championship and forever inscribed Subaru in world rallying. The Japanese brand also celebrated victory in manufacturers’ competitions (1995-1997).
At the beginning of the 21st century, Englishman Richard Burns and Norwegian Petter Solberg became world champions within two years. Both of them drove the famous blue and yellow car, which made it possible to drive much faster than competitors. In 2008, due to the global financial crisis, Subaru was forced to leave the WRC and continue competing in various races held in the United States. Unique versions of the Impreza and WRX STI were developed for them, which helped the manufacturer achieve good results. Currently, the iconic team is absent from the WRC, but there are hopes that in 2027, it will return to the championship and completely change it, as it did 30 years earlier.
The Influence of Subaru on Rally Culture
For many years, Subaru was the leading force in various rally championships. Therefore, it is not surprising that it became the symbol of the rally culture of the 90s. During this period, millions of motorsport fans adored the blue and yellow Impreza WRX cars. They looked great, drove extremely fast and often left no chance for their rivals. Unlike many competitors, Subaru rally cars became the center of everyone’s attention. Their presence in the championship allowed it to break attendance records every year and count multi-million profits from selling TV broadcasting rights for the races.
Subaru was adored even by those who supported racers from other teams. This happened because the company’s cars were the first to install various innovations and test them in racing conditions. The influence of the Japanese car manufacturer on the entire WRC championship gradually became so great that many competitors were forced to copy Subaru’s ideas and adjust their cars to the standard of that time.
Subaru continued to dominate rally tracks at the beginning of the 21st century. The company’s cars did not change their blue and yellow livery, so they gradually became actual WRC symbols. After Subaru announced its withdrawal from motorsport in 2008, its influence on rally culture did not diminish. On the contrary, the inability to watch their favorite cars on TV forced fans of the rally team to buy similar vehicles for themselves and repaint them in blue and yellow. This was done with the Impreza WRX and the less popular crashed BRZ Subaru, which were found at online auctions and other similar sites. Nowadays, amid rumors about the possible return of the Japanese to racing, Subaru’s popularity has grown again. This shows that motorsport fans do not forget the achievements of the past and want to watch the victories of the iconic team again.
The Future of Subaru in WRC
Subaru’s massive contribution to rally culture has forever made the company a welcome guest at any racing competition. The mere presence of the famous blue and yellow cars in the races would increase interest in the WRC and positively impact the FIA’s income. In this regard, it is not surprising that the head of the International Motor Sports Federation, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is making attempts to return the iconic team to the championship. His efforts yield specific results, so a new chapter of Subaru in the WRC may soon begin.
The chances of the Japanese car manufacturer’s return to rally racing have become even higher after recent statements by its management. According to them, Subaru wants to use this move to increase the slightly waning interest in the brand’s cars. Discussions are underway on this issue, and if everything goes perfectly, the company’s return to the WRC will likely occur in the 2027 season. Such an event would be a natural sensation. Subaru’s massive influence on rally culture would help the championship gain a new impetus for development and gradually restore its former popularity.
Subaru is a cult brand for everyone who loves rally racing. At one time, cars with a blue and yellow livery changed the WRC and forever entered the championship’s history as one of the most successful. Today, Subaru is planning its full-fledged return to racing. If this happens, rally culture will receive a new development round, further strengthening Subaru’s status as its central pillar.
