Subaru will return to the domestic rally scene with a factory-backed WRX STI NR4 driven by Molly Taylor. It will make its debut in April.

SUBARU HAS ANNOUNCED it will return to rallying in Australia this year and will campaign a factory-backed race-only WRX STI NR4 with Molly Taylor at the wheel. Subaru hasn’t been involved in the Australian Rally Championship for 10 years.

Subaru said, “The car is being prepared by world-renowned Tasmania-based Les Walkden Rallying, with testing imminent”.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to secure Molly as our driver and Subaru Ambassador. 

“She’s got a wonderful attitude, has worked really hard for the opportunity and she’s a glass half-full person, never the victim. 

“Then, of course, her performances both here and internationally have been very strong, reinforced by the fact she is the world’s top-ranked female rally driver. 

Mr Senior added: “The rekindling of our partnership with Les Walkden is very pleasing. 

“They are highly successful and have a great record with Group N production vehicles. 

“We are going to be very realistic with our expectations. The current regulations are very loose and free – you could virtually build anything, but we have chosen a showroom stock Group N production Subaru. 

“We really want our motorsport philosophy to be ‘run on Sunday, buy on Monday.’ 

“It will also be a learning curve for Molly, coming into a bigger, heavier car than the lightweight machines she’s previously been running. 

“She’s a perfect fit for the Subaru brand as we move to attract new customers, particularly younger ones.”

Subaru has an impressive record in the Australian Rally Championship having won eight out of the last 10 championships it campaigned in. It entered competition in 1996 and withdrew in 2005.

The team will debut at the Quit Forest Rally, Western Australia, on 22-24 April.

2016 Australian Rally Championship:

Round 1 – Quit Forest Rally WA, April 22-24
Round 2 – National Capital Rally, ACT, May 27-29
Round 3 – International Rally of QLD, June 17-19
Round 4 – Rally SA, September 9-11
Round 5 – Coates Hire Rally Australia, Coffs Harbour, NSW, November 18-20

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