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INTERCOM>> AL-ATTIYAH STEPS
CLOSER TO PWRC TITVictory in Argentina booAl-Attiyahs title fight inImpreza N2009
>> PRODRIVE TURNS 2525 years of success on
rally stage, race track an
on the road
May 2009
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NEW
NEW CARS IN HMark Van Eldik and Ren
both taken delivery of
Impreza World Rally Ca
and will both be compe
Rally Championship wit
the Sezoens Rally on 2
N2009 DEBUTSSubaru Rally Team Italy
Navarra debuted the la
group N car, the N2009
currently leading the gr
the 2009 Campionato
championship (CIR).
SPECIAL OFFERSDont miss out on any
by regularly checking th
on the Prodrive sales w
www.prodrive-sal es.co
have access to the site
your account manager
send you the latest pro
NEW CARS FORFORMATA new format and dedpage has been created
customers promoting t
Prodrive cars for sale.
information on genuine
customer cars for sale,
the following website
www.prodrive.com/car
Newly formed rally team, Subaru Rally Team Spain, reaped victory on their debut event in the
panish Gravel Championship, the Palma del Rio Rally with Brice Tirabassi behind the wheel of
Prodrive Impreza N14 leading the event from start to finish.
s well as the gravel championship, the team run by KRS Motor Events based in Cantabria,
pain is running two additional Prodrive Impreza N14 cars in the Spanish Tarmac Championship
with the driver line-up consisting of Enrique Garca Ojeda (2008 Spanish Tarmac Champion)
nd up and coming youngster, Mario Ceballos. Ojeda has already competed in the first three
ounds of the tarmac championship, scoring overall victory at his home event, Rally Cantabria
nfinita, the third round of the championship. Ojeda was fastest in not only the group N class
ut of all the competitors in the event, including a number of GT category cars. Winning the
vent for the fourth consecutive year, Ojeda set fastest stage times on all but one of the
pecial stages. It was also the first overall win for a group N car on Spanish tarmac in 2009.
With the professionalism and technical structure of KRS Motor Events, the high class drivers
nd support from Prodrive, the team is confident of securing victory in both championships by
he end of the year.
SUBARU RALLYTEAM SPAIN
Nasser Al-Attiyah has had a flying start to the
2009 season and is well in contention for
both the Production World Rally
Championship (PWRC) and Middle East Rally
Championship (MERC) titles.
Al-Attiyahs PWRC campaign was boosted
after his well deserved victory at Rally
Argentina. I like Argentina, its a good rally
with some really nice stages, said Al-Attiyah
at the end of the event. The spectators are
incredible, the fans are just everywhere and
so many of them. Its fantastic to win here in
Argentina, it has been a really tough rally, but
one I like. I won here in 2006 and its nice to
do it again.
Al-Attiyah debuted the Prodrive Impreza
N2009 in the 2009 PWRC at the Cyprus Rallywhere he claimed the third spot on the
podium. The next round in Portugal brought
mixed fortunes for the Qatari driver. After
setting three fastest stage times and leading
the PWRC field by over a minute during the
first morning of competition, Al-Attiyah
experienced steering problems, forcing him to
retire for the day. B ack on day two under
SuperRally regulations, Al-Attiyah fought his
way back up to fourth place.
Maximum points gained from his victory in
Argentina combined with points gained in
Cyprus and Portugal puts Al-Attiyah up in
second place in the PWRC drivers
championship, a mere two points behind first
place.
The five times Middle East Rally champion has
also clocked up maximum points in the MERC
so far after claiming victory in the two
opening rounds in Qatar and Kuwait.
Al-Attiyah took the latest group N car from
Prodrive, the N2009, to its maiden victory at
the Kuwait International Rally. The weekend
was also the debut event for Al-Attiyah with
new co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini and with
new sponsor BARWA Real Estate from hishome country of Qatar.
The results for Al Attiyah so far means that
he is well on his way to adding to his 14
championship titles he has acquired in his
rallying career that spans nearly 20 years, as
well as matching his record of three FIA titles
in one year, a feat he accomplished in 2008.
NASSER SETS SIGHTS ONPWRC TITLE
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Rally Portugal set the scene for an Impreza
WRC2008 attack with Adapta World Rally
Team regular driver, Mads Ostberg achieving
his best ever WRC result, finishing in sixth
place and double world champion, Marcus
Gronholm, setting impressive stage times on
his return to the WRC for the first time since
his retirement at the end of 2007.
Running from the same service area and in
the same car to his biggest inspiration in
rallying, Ostberg clearly benefited from
Gronholms guidance and advice throughout
the event. Ostbergs result also put him in
the record books alongside Petter and
Henning Solberg, as the highest ever number
of Norwegians finishing inside the top ten on
a WRC event. Ostberg was extremely happy
with the car and, of course, achieving his
best ever WRC result.
What can I say, its a good result. The car
has been feeling great and we have been
able to have a close fight with Novikov for the
last two days. It was just a shame that he
retired, as it would have been great to keep
fighting to the end. It was helpful to run
alongside Marcus, he gave me a lot of help.
I am now really looking forward to Sardinia,
it is my favourite event, with stages that are
similar to those here in Portugal.
Driving a WRC2008 competitively for the first
time with the support of Prodrive, Gronholm
demonstrated the cars full potential, setting
a strong pace throughout
two second and one third
through the first loop of s
firmly in second place ove
on to maintain second pla
of the afternoon and lay in
into day two after purpose
day's final stage to gain a
position.
Through the first stage on
ran wide on a left hand be
the car clipped a tree, sen
Gronholm re-started the c
through the stage. After
Solberg past the engine w
on and the team advised h
Unfortunately that was the
for Gronholm as the engin
damaged to re-enter unde
regulations.
Its disappointing for me
because we wanted a nice
said Gronholm. I have no
long time and coming bac
Seb and trying to do the s
car, is not so easy. We we
yesterday and pushing tod
small mistake.
Although there are no con
him to compete again in 2
ruled out another comeba
WRC2008PROVES ITS PAIN PORTUGAL
we were on thepace yesterday andpushing today
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Double world champion, Marcus
Gronholm, made his comeback to the
World Rally Championship at Rally Portugal
in a Prodrive Impreza WRC2008. Intercom
caught up with Marcus to find out what it
was like to be back competing in a WRC
event and behind the wheel of an
Impreza.
portugal saw you competing in the wrc
for the first time in 18 months, how
did it feel to be back?
It felt ok, we were able to get up to speed
quite quickly but I wasnt really familiar
with the Subaru or with the new tyres so
it was not so easy. Overall it was okay
and enjoyable.
why did you choose to make a
comeback in a subaru?
I had been talking with Prodrive in late
2008 and when they asked me again this
year it seemed like an interesting idea.
what was it like to work with
prodrive?
We had a good time on the test and in
Portugal. Everyone was motivated and we
got the car a little bit better for my driving
style. It was a very relaxed feeling and
with no pressure.
was the performance of the impreza
wrc2008 as youd expected? what
would you say are its best features?
Yes I think so, after the test I felt a good
result was possible and believed we could
set some good times. The best features
of the car are the gearbox and the engine
a good basis to work from.
do you think the car has wrc winning
potential?Why not? But you really need to be in
the Championship and doing a full event
and testing programme; its so
competitive at the top.
what have you been up to since your
last wrc event with ford?
Ive spent some time at home with my
business, sponsor and PR work, rally cross
and training for a cross country ski race -
many different things.
whats the favourite rally car that
youve ever driven?
It has to be the Peugeot 206 a lot of
good memories and gaining two world
championship titles with it.
whats your favourite rally and why?
Winter rallies like Sweden, you can really
enjoy yourself there. Finland is also good
but your home event is always very
difficult with lots of pressure.
what advice would you give to aspiring
world rally championship drivers?
Its not easy, a big challenge. Start in your
own country and then build up step by
step.
do you plan to compete in any more
events with prodrive this year?
I am interested and we are negotiating
and discussing this at the moment.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MARCUSGRONHOLM
TIP 1ENSURE TYRE PRESSURES ARE CORRECT
All models:Correct tyre pressures will obtain peak
performance from the tyre. As one of the
most important parts of the car, performance
is substantially hindered if the tyres are
incorrectly 'tuned'. Tyre performance should
be rated higher than finding that last degree
of ignition. Prodrive engineers can assist in
finding an appropriate pressure to maximise
your tyre performance.
TIP 2USE APPROPRIATE ALS FOR EACH STAGE
Don't be afraid to change ALS position for
each stage. Maximum ALS doesn't mean it is
appropriate for 'maximum attack'.
S10, S11 & S12 models:
Each increase in ALS position increases
exhaust temperature, air demand and
therefore increases boost pressure before the
throttle. Unlocking this 'pre-throttle boost'
quickly can disrupt balance and grip.
S12b, S12c and WRC2008 models:
The ALS position chooses a variety of torque
demand maps for the throttle pedal and turbo
speed maps. This makes it easier to control
torque delivery as well as increase power by
lowering charged air temperatures. These
models are more refined and developed
version of the earlier models, but the rule still
holds that you should select your ALS setting
appropriately for the stage condition.
TIP 3TURN ALS OFF IF DRIVING THROUGH A
STAGE WITH A PROBLEM
All models:
If you need to drive through the stage with a
problem and cannot drive with commitment,
turn off the ALS in the first instance and if
possible, liaise with your engineer for further
advice. Refer to technical bulletin SETIB-195
for further details.
TIP 4SET THE REST POINT AND FULL THROTTLE
POINT OF THE PEDAL
All models:
With a drive-by-wire system, you have the
ability to set (within reason) the rest point
and full throttle point of the pedal, giving you
control of engine power modulation through
pedal travel. Prodrive engineers will be able
to set this up for you.
TIP 5KEEP YOUR CAR IN GOOD HEALTH
Non-contract cars:
If your car is out of contract, book in for a
health check with a Prodrive engineer. Please
see details opposite.
NON-CONTRACT CAR Prodrive now offers off
support packages for n
Cars. This service is aim
contract World Rally Ca
events with full confide
systems are operating c
engine and chassis per
The packages can be ta
exact requirements and
of engineering support
range from providing an
a full systems check pri
(including shakedown),
from an engineer to as
between events, follow
set-up recommendation
performance is optimis
For example, a one-day
workshop mid-week wi
special price of 250 +
expenses . P lease cont
manager for a quote on
your requirements.
FOR RUNNING A WORLDRALLY CAR
Intercom caught up with the WRC engineers at Prodrive
to ask their expert advice on running a World Rally Car.
To ensure all World Rally Cars are gaining optimum
performance, the WRC engineers have come up with
their top five tips.
TOPTIPS
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Hungarian based Korda Racing Team collected its
first ever brand new Prodrive car at the end of
March, and although the team has owned a
number of Prodrive cars previously, this was the
first one purchased directly from Prodrive. Team
owner, Erik Korda, along with key team members
visited Prodrives HQ in Banbury to personally
take collection of the Impreza S12b and took the
opportunity to take a look around the
workshops to see where the car was
manufactured.
Just over a week after collection, the car was
already competing in its first event, the Start
Auto Eger Rally, round one of the Hungarian
Rally Championship, which the team is
competing in throughout 200
Tibor Erdi Jnr. behind the whe
suffering a couple of punctur
third spot on the podium on
run in the car. The team then
third place also in the second
the championship, with driver
debuting in the car on its thi
the Hungarian Rally Champio
also considering tackling a few
World Rally Championship this
The S12b is also available for
and regional championships.
interested, please contact An
+44 (0)1295 754144 or email
NEWCARFORKORDA
David Lapworth is now heading up all
Prodrives rally engineering. David, who is
one of the most respected and experienced
rally engineers in the world, has worked at
Prodrive since it was created in 1984 and has
been responsible for engineering the Subaru
Imprezas which have won six World Rally
titles. David is heading a team of engineers
whose focus is the continued development of
the current and future Impreza group N and
World Rally Car models.
Intercom caught up with David to find out
more about his plans:
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR GROUP N?
We are currently working with STi (Subaru
Technica International) in Japan to develop
the next generation of Subaru Impreza, on
which our group N cars are based. The
Impreza N2009 is once again proving what a
competitive car it is, and the success of our
customers in the PWRC and other regional
championships is very important for Subaru in
Japan who are committed to a future in group N.
HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THE GROUP N
CAR CONTINUES TO BE COMPETITIVE?
From feedback gained from customers and
Prodrive engineers, we are implementing
improvements to the car and working closely
with STi to ensure future cars and parts are
homologated to provide customers with a
competitive and reliable product. Clea rly the
rules limit what you can do, but we already
have some ideas that will ensure the Impreza
remains the most competitive car in its class.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR WORLD
RALLY CARS?
I think Marcus showed the true potential of
the latest Impreza WRC2008. He was
comfortably running in second place on the
first day in Portugal, while still getting used to
the car and pace notes. I am certain he
would have got a very strong podium place
had he not run wide and crashed out on day
two. We are still looking to run Marcus on
other WRC events this year and all the
improvements Marcus has helped us develop
will be passed on to our customers. We will
be continuing to work on upgrades and
enhancements to all the World Rally Cars that
we support for customers.
LAPWORTH HEADSRALLY ENGINEERING
career highlights:1984: Joins Prodrive and engineers
MERC winning Porsche 911
1986: Engineers MG 6R4
1987: Engineers BMW M3 Group A
rally car
1990: Engineers Subaru Legacy RS
1993: Engineers new Subaru Impreza
Group A rally car
1995: Wins both drivers and
manufacturers WRC titles
1996: Wins manufacturers WRC title
1997: Engineers new Impreza World
Rally Car and wins WRC
manufacturers title
2001: Wins WRC title for drivers
2003: Wins WRC title for drivers
>>
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When a customer purchases a World Rally Car,they dont only get the car, but also a
professional and knowledgeable engineer to
support their car on tests and events to
ensure they get optimum performance and
reliability.
Matt French is one of a team of 11 WRC
customer engineers at Prodrive and brings a
wealth of knowledge and experience to the
role after working with Subaru World Rally
Cars for over 13 years.
After completing an apprenticeship, Matt
started his career at Prodrive in 1995 as a
technician in the special projects department.
He then moved on to the test and
development department in 1999 and worked
there up until 2007 when he started working
as a WRC customer engineer. To assist with
his transition from technician to engineer,
Matt has also undertaken an engineering
degree.
Compared to his role in the test team, Matt
now has a lot more responsibility. In the test
and development team I was only responsiblefor one area of the car, Matt explains.
As a WRC customerengineer I am responsiblefor the entire car.
On some events Matt will be the only Prodrive
team member, however, there is always
someone on the end of the phone to assist
with the support of the car. Because the
engineering team is made up of people with
various skill sets, there is always someone to
consult if Matt is faced with a situation he
hasnt dealt with before. Each engineer has
their own special set of skills and with the
complexity of the WRC, the customers always
get the full support required. The customers
also get an engineer that not only gives the
car a health check, but can also make
alterations to the cars management systems.
Matt has attended 12 events so far this year
most of which were based in Ireland but he
has also travelled to NorwaBy the end of the year, Ma
done up to 25 events. Ma
support the same driver, h
where the support is requ
worked with the likes of T
Maguire and Mads Ostber
The work doesnt stop bet
though, when Matt is back
base hes busy producing
set-up sheets, preparing f
ensuring the cars are fully
to go to the events. On hi
events, he produces an ev
deals with any issues that
Even though waiting aroun
a down side to the job, th
helping a customer achiev
outways any negative asp
customers want to win a r
is different and if I help th
they want, I feel satisfied
the job I set out to do, M
NAME: MATTFRENCH
JOBTITLE: WRCSALESENGINEER
Improved VO water spray kits and VO turbo have now been homologated for Prodrive
Impreza N14 and N2009 cars and are available to order. P lease contact your account
manager for further details.
MARCH 2009 HOMOLOGATED PARTS
f you need a part for an older Subaru World
Rally Car thats no longer stocked by Prodrive,
where do you go? One option would be
ubaru WRC Spares based in Plymouth in the
K. An approved Prodrive authorised supplier
ince 2007, Subaru WRC Spares sells genuine
rodrive parts to support Subaru World Rally
ars over three years old.
he outfit is run by company director and rally
river, Steve Furzeland, who started supplying
rodrive parts after purchasing spare parts for
is own Impreza rally car and bought a
ubstantial amount of stock to sell on toellow drivers and teams. After discussions
with Prodrive, Steve became an official
uthorised suppler and hasnt looked back
ince. Becoming a Prodrive authorised
upplier gave Steve the rights to advertise
ubaru WRC Spares association with Prodrive,
trengthening his credibility. Suba ru WRC
Spares specialises in and only stocks Subaru
parts and now has in excess of 4,000 lines in
stock and is having to upgrade its computer
systems to keep control the growing amount
of parts.
Although its main customer base is in the UK
with teams such as Roger Clarke Motorsport,
TEG Motorsport and Autosportif who prepare
cars for the likes of Mark Higgins and Roger
Duckworth, Subaru WRC Spares also supplies
parts to many teams and drivers across
Europe and the USA.
The strong relationship between Prodrive and
Subaru WRC Spares ensures Subaru World
Rally Car drivers and teams have the first-rate
parts support they require whatever the age
of their car.
For further information on parts supplied by
WRC Spares, please contact them directly on
the following details:
Subaru WRC Spares
Oakfield Press
Elliott Road
Plymouth
PL4 0SG
T +44 (0) 7891 496128
W www.subaruwrcspares.com
SUBARUWRC SPARES
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Senior sales manager Graham Prew
T +44 (0) 1295 754164
Aftersales & operations manager
Alan McGuinness
T +44 (0) 1295 754126
WRC technical manager Simon Steele
T +44 (0) 1295 754245
Car sales manager Steve Smith
T +44 (0) 1295 754328
Product marketing co-ordinator Jessica Varney
T +44 (0) 1295 754280
Account manager Andrew Johns
T +44 (0) 1295 754144
Account manager Grahame Smith
T +44 (0) 1295 754210
Account manager Andrew Williamson
T +44 (0) 1295 754147
Assistant account manager Nicola Pollak
T +44 (0) 1295 754337
Sales support Vicky Whiting
T +44 (0) 1295 754017
Sales support Mandy Bonner
T +44 (0) 1295 754011
Sales support Alan Turner
T +44 (0) 1295 754330
Sales support Andrew Jeffrey
T +44 (0) 1295 754232
Sales support Richard Ambrose
T +44 (0) 1295 754108
MOTORSPORT SALES TEAM
www.prodrive-sales.com
This year, its been 25 years since Prodrive
was established and first competed at the
1984 Qatar Rally with a Prodrive-prepared
Porsche 911 SC RS, driven by Saeed Al Hajri.
The car won on its debut and went on to
bring the Rothmans Porsche Rally Team the
Middle East Rally Championship title.
Qatar was the first of 129 rally wins for
Prodrive, with victories coming with four
different manufacturers in the Porsche 911,
the MG 6R4, BMW M3 and for the last two
decades with the Subaru Legacy and Impreza.
Prodrive has competed in a round of the
World Rally Championship (WRC) every year
since 1984, taking its first win at the Tour de
Corse in 1987 when Frenchman, Bernard
Beguin, drove a Group A BMW M3 to victory.
Since then, Prodrive has won three WRC
manufacturers and three drivers titles, all
with Subaru, and has helped turn the likes of
Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg
into world champions.
Over the past 15 years, Prodrive has sold
close to 500 rally cars to more than 400
private competitors and independent ra
teams in 47 countries. During this tim
Prodrives customers have won five
consecutive Production World Rally
Championships and countless internati
rallies. In 2008, Prodrive-supported cus
teams claimed eight rally championship
around the world.
To find out more about Prodrive's 25 ye
success on the rally stage, on the race
and on the road, please visit the Prodr
website www.prodrive.com
PRODRIVE TURN
25
