CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- 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
http://www.rally.subaru.com or http://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.
CONTACT: Lisa Fleming
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093
lfleming@subaru.com
SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.subaru.com
http://www.rally.subaru.com http://www.media.subaru.com
CONTACT:
Lisa Fleming, Subaru of America,
+1-856-488-5093 or lfleming@subaru.com
|
