Subaru campaigning Impreza STI at Nurburgring 24-hour race
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Nurburgring) - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Subaru has announced its participation in the 37th ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race (AKA the 24-Hours of Nurburgring) with a Subaru Technica International-modified Impreza STI. The WRX will be campaigning in the SP3T class (comprised of turbo'd cars with a displacement of 2.0 liters), with Kazuo Shimizu, Toshihiro Yoshida, Naoki Hattori and Koji Matsuda manning the helm during the enduro.
According to Subaru, the team's objective is to "collect data and verify technical know-how" and use the knowledge it gleans from the race to improve the STI's development. The modifications are standard race-car fare, with a stripped interior and safety equipment, along with a number of body stiffening components and a "Flexible Tower Bar."
Subaru's set up a micro-site to track the team's progress and will supposedly have live timing and results when the event gets underway in May. Press release below the fold.
Gallery: Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Nurburgring)
[Source: Subaru via WCF]
PRESS RELEASE
STI, Impreza to contest Nurburgring 24-hour race
This May, SUBARU Tecnica International (STI) heads to the Nurburgring circuit for the "37th ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race" (24 Hours of the Nurburgring) with an originally tuned version of the Impreza WRX STI aiming for a class victory.
The ADAC Zurich 24-hour race takes place at the course of 25.378km in total, and is the largest endurance event in the world, with more than 200 cars participating, familiarized by European manufacturers who enter every year. STI particularly and practically uses 20.832kms "Nordschleife" (also called "Old Course"), known as intensively severe course, as a proofing ground for STI developed vehicles. STI's objective to participate this event is to collect data and verify technical know-how, and also to learn out of this race for future STI vehicle development. STI's vehicle development is focused on further enhancing the unique ride quality which can be characterized by the theme, "Strength and nimbleness".
The participating car is Impreza WRX STI built and tuned exclusively by STI, adopting "Flexible Tower Bar", along with a variety of original chassis and body stiffener and components. Modifications also include weight-reduction and safety equipment installation.
The car will participate in the SP3T class (for turbo-equipped machines with an engine displacement of 2.0litter). STI will conduct the team management for this race, supervised by Hideharu Tatsumi (STI's General Manager of Vehicle Experiment Division), while racing the car are four highly experienced professional Japanese drivers.
Entrant name : SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL(STI)
Participating car : SUBARU Impreza WRX STI(GRB type)
Horizontally opposed 4-cylinder EJ20
2.0litter DOHC turbo / SYMMETRICAL AWD
Suspension : Front - strut, rear - double wishbone
Vehicle manufacturer : STI
Team director : Hideharu Tatsumi
(STI General Manager of Vehicle Experiment Division)
Drivers : Kazuo Shimizu, Toshihiro Yoshida
Naoki Hattori, Koji Matsuda
STI NBR CHALLENGE web
www.subaru-sti.co.jp/e/nbr24h2009/
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve_S 4:15PM (4/17/2009)
Looks like maybe some intake work and I'm sure an agressive ECU map along with exhaust.
Reply
Throwback 4:18PM (4/17/2009)
"According to Subaru, the team's objective is to "collect data and verify technical know-how" and use the knowledge it gleans from the race to improve the STI's development."
how about trying to win your class? It is a race.
Reply
imirk 4:22PM (4/17/2009)
Don't be so predictable geez..
BigMcLargeHuge 4:28PM (4/17/2009)
I like that they are developing a road car for the public during actual competitive racing.
Building a better car gets me in the showroom faster than winning a race does.
adrenalnjunky 9:23PM (4/17/2009)
@ Big
Building one that looks a ton better than the car above is what would help get me in the showrooms.
Franz 4:23PM (4/17/2009)
It'll be interesting to see how this does with (apparently) relatively minor mods.
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JZeke 4:33PM (4/17/2009)
Does this portend fast Subarus that are more road-performance oriented?
As much as I love the rally bred nature of Subies many tuners agree they need work to make them road conquerors. It will be very interesting to see what this leads to.
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Aloysius Vampa 7:38PM (4/17/2009)
Lots of people say that the Legacy, instead of the Impreza, is for road racing.
tjon 4:45PM (4/17/2009)
They have done this race before, Chris Atkinson was one of the drivers.
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Ivan 41 2:59PM (4/24/2009)
Hi,
I wanna get in touch with the team to exchange information as we are building our WRX STI for racing in the 12 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of Zolder.
see www.antwerpracingteam.be
Thanks a lot
Reply