Subaru + tarmac = :P

  • Thread starter Thread starter dkstz
  • 3 comments
  • 835 views
dkstz

dkstz

Messages
413
Brazil
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Messages
arten_v
Why does Subaru struggle so much to be competitive on tarmac events?
We see the Citroen's and Fords doing so well and the genuinely "rally car" fighting to at least show up in the points! It's not the tyres, it's not just the setup... why then they have so much trouble??
 
It's the tyres + the car + the setup.

Honestly I don't know why they are having so much trouble, given their exclusive deal with Pirelli they should have an advantage. But I really don't think they have found a tyre that works with the car. Whether this is a failing in testing or in Pirelli's development and manufacturing I really can't say.

And I think the car itself is a disappointment, they certainly haven't matched the development leaps the Ford Focus has made since last year.

Perhaps this is the explanation for David Lapworth being moved into "other projects"?
 
Well, the tires are the main problem for sure. The car is fast enough ( Look at Süain : Solberg was very fast before his tires gave up ). The current WRC is very fast, but you can't win with technical problems. But the speed is there imo.
 
Engine regulations also place the boxer-engine in disfavor compared to the inlines the other teams use. I think it was the stroke which is restricted, which prevents Subaru from making the power gains other teams might get, but on the other hand the car has a lower center of gravity (not that it outweighs the performance).

Altough the tyres are a major concern though, just wait until a shower comes along. It can turn everything up-side-down - Pirelli are known to make the best wet-tyres. Unfortunately for Subaru, there hasn't been one drop of wet stuff in an event yet.
 

Latest Posts

Back