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42-527: The Subaru Impreza WRC is a World Rally Car based on the Subaru Impreza road car. It was used by Subaru World Rally Team , Subaru's factory team, and replaced the Subaru Legacy RS in 1993 . The car was debuted at 1993 Rally Finland and won a total of six world rally titles, including three consecutive manufacturers' titles and three drivers' titles. For 1993, Prodrive recognized that

84-439: A decreased polar moment of inertia due to smaller overhangs, and also featured a double wishbone rear suspension . Prodrive deemed this configuration to be suboptimal and reverted the rear suspension to the original MacPherson design. An enhanced version of the 2007 car was utilized in the initial rallies, while preparations for the 2008 model were underway for competition. In 2008, Markko Märtin entered into an agreement to serve as

126-532: A different aerodynamic kit. The cars could be smaller models (there was no longer a minimum 4 m length) and include a custom-build or production 1600 cm direct injection turbo-charged global race engine with a 33 mm (1.3 in) diameter air restrictor and a maximum boost pressure of 2.5 bar (36 psi) absolute. This limited torque to about 400 N⋅m (300 lb⋅ft) or less ). Exotic materials ( titanium , magnesium , ceramics and composite ) were forbidden except when present in

168-428: A differential weighs 25 kg. The car's engine, transmission and differential are individually oil sealed, so that they can be removed and replaced without fluid loss. This also helps the team replace the components in 10–12 minutes. The transmission's lubrication system has a 4.5 litre capacity and includes an oil pump to help control differential temperatures, which usually operate around 100C. The transmission retains

210-400: A minimum of 1230 kg and chassis strengthening for greater rigidity. The maximum width was set at 1770 mm while front and rear tracks shouldn't exceed 1550 mm. Unlike the requirements for the preceding Group A cars, manufacturers were no longer required to build "homologation specials" in order to meet approval. The base model did not need to have all the characteristics of

252-471: A smaller, nimbler car would make a better platform for a rally car, and work on a Group A Impreza rally car began. It was 160 mm shorter in overall length with a 60 mm shorter wheelbase, as well as having a more neutral front/rear weight ratio. It also featured active differentials , a first for a rally car. At the 1000 Lakes Rally , Subaru debuted their new Prodrive developed Impreza derived Group A rally car, driven by Vatanen and Alén. Vatanen drove

294-505: A totally redesigned car, the WRC97 , featuring modified camshafts, cylinder ports and combustion chambers. The new body had two doors. The width of the car increased to 1,770 mm (69.9 in) with a revised suspension geometry. Power increased to 224 kW (300 hp) @ 5500 rpm, and torque was now 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft). The Impreza WRC98 was an evolution of the earlier WRC97, with computer controlled active differentials in

336-505: Is based in the state of Guanajuato . The stages take place in the environs of cities of León , Silao , and Guanajuato ; rally headquarters being located in León. Rally México features the highest stages of all WRC championship rounds, as high as 2700 meters; engines in WRC cars lose up to 20% of their power in these stages as a result, due to the lower air pressure at such altitudes. In 2004,

378-563: The WRC2000 looked almost identical to the WRC99, underneath the sheet metal, its execution was radically different. Developed by Prodrive engineer Christian Loriaux, the team used the lessons learned from the WRC99 and applied them in the WRC2000's 10-month development, in which over 80% of the car's mechanical and electronic components were redesigned. The car debuted, and drove to victory, at

420-408: The "hawk eye" headlamps. It had several mechanical changes from the previous year's car due to rule changes which banned active differentials as well as water injection, as well as mandating that teams must re-use cars and engines on selected ‘pairs’ of events. Due to the rule changes, the car was introduced on the first round of the season. The WRC2007 , a revised version of the earlier year's car,

462-758: The Mexican National Rally Commission. The Organising Committee then took over the running of the Rally de las 24 Horas, the CAF's flagship event, and, for this reason, Rally America was not staged again until 1996, when the internationalization of the project began. The CAF and its new promoting partner, Rallymex, moved the event to the US border in Ensenada , Baja California , for two years, where it started to attract international entries. In 1998,

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504-690: The Organising Committee won the Inmarsat Star of the Rally award for his first organized WRC rally. In 2008, the Organising Committee of the Corona Rally Mexico won the Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally award for the great work done in the organization of the WRC event. Rally America, later known as Corona Rally Mexico and now Rally Guanajuato Mexico, was created in 1979 through a big spirit of co-operation by

546-464: The WRC car, as evidenced from cars such the Peugeot 206 , 307 , Citroën Xsara , and Škoda Fabia , which during this period had no road car variant with a turbocharged petrol engine or four-wheel-drive. To limit power, all forced induction cars were fitted with a 34 mm diameter air restrictor before the turbocharger inlet, limiting the airflow to about 10 cubic meters per minute. The restriction

588-403: The base model. Carbon fibre and aramid fibre were very restricted ("only one layer of fabric is used and is affixed to the visible face of the part"), except for bodywork's side protections where multiple layers of aramid fibre were allowed. The gear changes must be made with a mechanical linkage system, so paddle-shifters were outlawed. However the system was re-allowed in 2015 . There

630-817: The car to second place on its debut. In 1994, the Subaru team switched from Michelin to Pirelli tires. For the 1995 season , the FIA mandated more restrictive air intakes in an effort to slow the cars down. Subaru countered this by introducing a new boxer engine with revised camshafts and a different compression ratio . For 1997 , the FIA replaced the Group A formula with a new formula called World Rally Car . This gave teams greater latitude in design and materials including vehicle width, suspension geometry , aerodynamics, intercooler capacity and engine modifications. This led to

672-628: The car's rally debut, the WRC2008 scored its first podium finish with Petter Solberg placing 2nd in the Acropolis Rally. Chris Atkinson 's third place two rallies later at Rally Finland was the final WRC podium finish for the car and the Subaru World Rally Team , which withdrew from the championship at the end of 2008 amidst the difficult economic conditions of the time . World Rally Car Between 1997 and 2010,

714-430: The center differential and previously all three could be active ). The minimum weight was 1200 kg empty and 1350 kg (1360 kg from 2013) with driver and co-driver (in both cases when measured with only one spare wheel ). The 1.6 L turbo-charged global race engine was retained in the 2017 World Rally Car regulations, but the turbo restrictor diameter was increased from 33 mm to 36 mm, increasing

756-446: The central differential remained active. Active suspension and water injections were also prohibited. Cars entered by a manufacturer had to be equipped with the same engine for two rallies; further limitations were imposed on the changing of some parts, including suspension, steering, turbochargers, and gearboxes. Starting in 2011, rules for WRC cars changed to be more restrictive. New regulations were derived from Super 2000 cars with

798-463: The driver to shift gears faster, and reduced the chance of dog gear wear. Due to technical difficulties, the team struggled until the season's 7th round in Argentina. However, the car helped prove much of the technology seen on later cars. Subaru was the first rally team to implement this technology, which has been used on all WRC cars until it was forbidden by the 2011 championship rules. Although

840-446: The engine's power output from 230 to 280 kW (310 to 380 hp). The minimum empty vehicle weight was decreased by 10 kg but the combined vehicle, crew and spare wheel weight remained at 1360 kg. Manufacturers were given more freedom to maximise aerodynamic performance, including large brake cooling ducts in fairings forming enlarged wheel arches. Electronically controlled active centre differentials were permitted, while

882-503: The first time in their series, the FIA Junior World Rally Championship contenders also ventured outside Europe, Corona Rally Mexico being the second event in its eight-round series. For the 2007 edition, 21º Corona Rally México, the route was re-designed, making it more compact for a total of 850 kilometers. An all-time record for the championship. The rally was also made the centrepiece conclusion of

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924-487: The fourth event of the season, Rally Portugal . The WRC2001 featured an entirely new look, based on the GD chassis Impreza WRX . The new body had four doors (instead of two), and featured revised aerodynamics, improved weight distribution, and a lower centre of gravity. However, all the mechanical development from the previous year, including the engine, suspension, and drivetrain remained, with subtle refinements. The WRC2002

966-503: The front and rear differentials remain mechanical. While 2011 specification World Rally Cars were allowed to compete in 2017, the new World Rally Cars were allowed for use by manufacturers' teams only. Rally Mexico Rally Mexico , formerly known as Rally America is a round of the FIA World Rally Championship . The rally entered the championship schedule in the 2004 season . The event's itinerary

1008-436: The front, rear, and centre, and an electronic throttle . Mechanical failures were common and took the team out of contention for the title. The WRC99 , introduced at the first round of the championship, featured an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated semi-automatic transmission with a drive-by-wire throttle, allowing the cars to be shifted with steering wheel mounted paddles, similar to F1 cars. This allowed

1050-547: The history of the rally – proved to be the crucial turning point. New facilities at the Poliforum Expo Center were groundbreaking in the sport and this, combined with one of the most compact routes ever, put the event firmly in the frame for World Championship status. A total of 45 crews representing 11 countries crossed the start ramp in Guanajuato during one of the most spectacular opening ceremonies seen in

1092-677: The new NACAM Rally Championship regional series when it was created in 2008. After that first year the NACAM championship shifted its Mexican round to the Rally Sierra del Tigre. In 2009, the Rally was run as the International Rally of Nations . In 2010 amid a year-long fiesta to mark the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution and the 200th anniversary of its independence, the WRC returned to León. From 2017,

1134-514: The official test driver for the Subaru team, undertaking the majority of the testing for the WRC2008. During a 4-day test at Sardinia between 30 April and 3 May 2008, Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson drove the WRC2008 for the first time. A date for its debut was still not given. On 20 May 2008, the Subaru World Rally Team confirmed the WRC2008 would make its WRC debut at the Acropolis Rally of Greece, beginning on 29 May. On

1176-483: The organizers decided to rename the event and move it to Leon , Guanajuato . With a long-term business plan focusing on inclusion in the World Rally Championship in place, the event ran again in 1999 and 2000, stepping up a gear each year. From 2001 to 2003, the organizers went for observation by the FIA , successfully running the event on each occasion. The 2003 Corona Rally Mexico – the 17th in

1218-458: The regulations mandated that World Rally Cars must have been built upon a production car with a minimum production run of 2500 units. A number of modifications could be made including increasing the engine displacement up to 2.0L, forced induction (including an anti-lag system ), addition of four wheel drive , fitment of a sequential gearbox , modified suspension layout and attachment points, aerodynamic body modifications, weight reduction to

1260-477: The roadgoing Impreza's H pattern but utilizes a hydraulically actuated and electronically controlled semi-automatic gearshift. The hydraulic gear shift system operates at a pressure of 17 MPa (2,500 psi), allowing gear shifts to be completed in less than 0.1 seconds. In December 2007, Subaru began testing the WRC2008 , based on the all new GR chassis Impreza WRX . The 2008 car was expected to benefit from

1302-565: The route of El Paso de Cortés , between two of Mexico 's largest volcanoes. Following the cancellation of the 1992 edition of the event, the CAF opted for a different concept: a short rally with a high percentage of special stages. The result was the very successful 1993 edition that was held in Valle de Bravo under the direction of Gilles Spitalier. The rally was awarded the Rally of the Year title by

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1344-469: The second day of the rally. Each transmission in the WRC2007 takes 85 hours to build, and costs over £75,000. The front and rear differentials are similar while the centre differential is unique. Each takes around 16 hours to build and costs about £20,000. The cases for the transmission and differentials are constructed from magnesium to reduce weight. Filled with oil, the transmission weighs 95 kg, and

1386-409: The sport. Corona Rally Mexico made its debut in the expanded 16-round World Rally Championship in the 2004 season , running successfully as the third round of the series and implementing a raft of regulation changes introduced by the FIA for the season. In 2005 , the event again ran as the third round and was the first full gravel event of the year, attracting 44 crews representing 17 nations. For

1428-578: The two largest clubs in Mexico : Club Automovilístico Francés de México (CAF) and the Rally Automovil Club (RAC). Both clubs have a long history of sporting competition, so their collaboration was a big step forward for rallying in the country. It was originally hosted in the State of Mexico and ran continuously until 1985. After an absence of six years, the event ran again in 1991 and followed

1470-453: The year modifications were made to the car's suspension. The WRC2004 did not feature many cosmetic changes from the previous year's car, but did have refinements in the engine and body panels. It was introduced at Rally Mexico . A revised gearbox was introduced halfway through the season. The WRC2005 was introduced following 12 months of joint development by Subaru and Prodrive , on 11 March 2005 at Rally Mexico. Its re-styled bodyshell

1512-529: Was intended to limit power output to 220 kW (300 hp) although some WRC engines were believed to produce around 250–250 kW (330–340 hp). Engine development did not focus on peak power output but towards producing a very wide powerband (or power curve). Typically, power output in excess of 220 kW (300 hp) was available from 3000 rpm to the 7500 rpm maximum, with a peak of 250–250 kW (330–340 hp) at around 5500 rpm. At 2000 rpm (the engine idle speed in "stage" mode) power output

1554-459: Was introduced at Corsica, and looked largely the same as the previous year's car. However, development of the car continued throughout the season. Improvements were made to the driveshaft, transmission housing, and steering column, as well as to the turbo-charger and manifold, which was changed from a 4–2–1 configuration to a 4–1 configuration. Savings found in modified brackets, wiring, and glass reduced weight by 15 kg (33 lb). The WRC2003

1596-411: Was introduced at the 2003 Rallye Monte Carlo. It featured a revised look based on the updated Impreza production car introduced the previous year, with the "bugeye" headlamps replaced by the "blobeye" lamps. Technical improvements were made to the turbocharger and engine, aiming to increase torque at lower RPMs allowing greater driveability. The car's body shell was made both lighter and stiffer. Throughout

1638-459: Was introduced at the fourth round of the championship, Rally Mexico . It featured new dampers, a different radiator and intercooler arrangement, as well as improved weight distribution, suspension geometry and differential set-ups. It was considered to be underachieving compared to the newly introduced 2007 Focus WRC and the all-new Citroen C4 WRC. The car suffered from extensive handling problems, resulting in Subaru withdrawing from Rally Finland on

1680-484: Was no center differential (earlier it used to be 3 differentials, with a center/3rd differential included), but the new regulation allows the only front and rear axle differential and a mechanical clutch to disconnect the rear axle during handbrake use (to reduce cost and make the cars' driving style more exciting again for both spectators and TV broadcasts). These two differentials must be mechanical, without electronic control or hydraulic or viscous systems (from 2006 to 2010

1722-460: Was slightly above 150 kW (200 hp). By 2004, the best cars had ABS , electronic clutch control, paddle-shift , traction control , three active differentials , ride height control with GPS, electronic dampers and active suspension . For 2005 the maximum width of the WRC cars was increased from 1770 mm to 1800 mm. In an attempt to cut costs, since 2006 new regulations required mechanical front and rear differentials, while

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1764-405: Was stiffer, and 30 mm wider to allow a wider track. The car featured more composite body panels, including front and rear wheel arches and bumpers in order to decrease weight. Engine enhancements included a lightened flywheel and revised IHI turbocharger. Revised water injection and fuel injection systems were also introduced. The WRC2006 received the production car's second facelift with

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