SUBARU IN INTERNATIONAL RALLYING: 1999
A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

WHILE IT DIDN’T SEEM MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE SUBARU WRC99 CARRIED INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT STARTED TO CHANGE THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP.

1999 – THE DEBUT OF ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY

Changes took place rapidly for Subaru from the 1999 through the 2001 World Rally Championship (WRC) seasons. Some were obvious, like the new driver/co-driver lineup. Technological innovations were not, but would later be de rigueur for competitive teams in the series.

For Subaru, the new teams of Richard Burns/Robert Reid, Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo, and Bruno Thiry/Stéphane Prévot took over the driver/co-driver duties. They introduced Subaru WRC99, which featured an electronically controlled semi-automatic transmission and electronic throttle.

Although Kankkunen/Repo placed second in the season’s opening rally at Monte Carlo, the teams had difficulties with the cars until mid-season in Argentina. From rounds seven through 14, the teams earned the podium in seven events – winning five of them and finishing first and second place three times. Subaru came in second in the Manufacturers’ Championship (only four points behind Toyota), with Burns placing second and Kankkunen fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.

Travis Pastrana, chosen by fans as “Most Xperimental Athlete” of X Games 12, drives for Subaru Rally Team USA.

The WRC99s proved themselves at the hands of these and other drivers/co-drivers. The computer-controlled transmissions were shifted by steering-wheel-mounted paddle. The computer automatically reduced engine speed when the driver shifted the car, enabling the driver to keep his foot on the accelerator. This and the electronic throttle control paved the way for still more technological change in the WRC2000.

Other driver/co-driver teams with top 10 finishes in the WRC99 and WRC2000 were:

• Toshi Arai/Roger Freeman (Acropolis, China, Australia)
• Peter “Possum” Bourne/Craig Vincent (New Zealand)
• Luís Climent/Alex Romani (Portugal, Catalunya, Acropolis)
• Gianfranco Cunico/Luigi Pirollo (San Remo)
• Frédéric Dor/Kevin Gormley (Safari, Argentina, Acropolis)
• Rui Madeira/Nuno da Silva (Portugal)
• Claudio Menzi/Rodolfo Ortiz (Argentina)

SUBARU BEGINS THE 21ST CENTURY

The Subaru WRC team and its equipment evolved into the 21st century with the next two seasons. That’s where coverage of Subaru in international rallying begins in the next issue of Drive Performance.

DRIVERS/CO-DRIVERS