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Post by Will on Dec 14, 2008 19:33:22 GMT
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Post by Nick McRae on Dec 14, 2008 22:31:58 GMT
Given their run towards the end of the season this is strange and baffiling. If this decision had been made halfway through the season I could understand, but after a string of their best ever results I can't understnad it.
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Post by Roo on Dec 14, 2008 23:44:35 GMT
carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/suzuki-announces-new-coo.htmlA change at the top might have something to do with it. But remember earlier this year when Monster Tajima, the team boss, mysteriously left the team due to ill health? Then a few weeks later, we learn that he was made redundant? I think there were some serious political problems in the team, and it was rumoured as early as April that they would pull out due to financial difficulties. It's just a real shame becuase the car clearly has potential, especially with PG driving it. Certainly more potential than the Impreza WRC has shown in recent times. Fingers crossed they come back for WRC in 2010, more info on the regs has also been announced recently.
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Post by FordTeamRS on Dec 15, 2008 7:04:26 GMT
Poor Toni, keeps getting shafted everytime he gets a good chance at a seat. I can't say that I'll miss Suzuki as half the time I forgot they were even in the series bar Rally GB. Hopefully 2010 will signal a return for them. I have to say, I will miss their livery.
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Post by Hurricane on Dec 15, 2008 9:36:23 GMT
Indeed, I can confirm from the article that Suzuki won't be competing in the WRC next year. The article also says that Tajima was asked to step aside half this season. So those political difficulties were quite correct.
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Post by Mixa on Dec 15, 2008 12:43:55 GMT
Its always like that with the Japanese teams. Them wants the results even at the 1st season and wants to see a winning car. Not just a car what may be on points. We have seen it just in too many motorsports to call including WRC.
Just a shame but it was expected. Suzuki didnt even tested for half a year so them were given up earlier already just to tell it after the season.
What comes to the drivers I dont know what those guys will be doing. PG still might have a change but no Toni for sure to the coming seasons. Toni was slower than PG this season and has been just average at most of the seasons,ok mainly thanks because of his cars.
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Post by Nick McRae on Dec 15, 2008 14:59:48 GMT
After reading the press release in proper English although I feel the economic crisis may of bee used as an excuse you can understand their caution. Any motorsport activity is in effect an expansion on the business. Suzuki's business is selling and making cars so it's probably wise for them to make sure their main business can survive the current crisis. Plus to be fair, the Suzuki WRT seems to of been doomed from the outset with problems from within. Though as Roo says a change at the top with uncertainty over the team won't of helped, if it's unstable he may of just said "right then that's enough of that."
As Rob says, once again Toni has been shafted still he's taken a nice works drive wage packet home for Christmas.
As for the other teams, Citroen should be fine, it's been well documented over the years that Citroen have a massive budget although I believe that's been cut in recent years and well why would they quit when they have such a good car and driver?
Ford looks dodgy for 2010 and beyond, Ford of Europe is the only profit making arm of Ford I believe? Ford US is in bg trouble, be interesting to see if any other annoucement is made after the big three failed to get that bail out by the US banks.
Subaru is owned by GM? Who are again in big trouble. Though to be fair, I have never known where Subaru get the money from, I hardly see any of their cars on the road - must be through merchandise!
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Post by Will on Dec 15, 2008 17:47:32 GMT
No it's a division of a Fuji company
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sarah
Chief Marshall
Posts: 79
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Post by sarah on Dec 15, 2008 20:04:39 GMT
Though to be fair, I have never known where Subaru get the money from, I hardly see any of their cars on the road - must be through merchandise! You've never been to NZ/Australia obviously! Subies EVERYWHERE. I get quite sick of seeing them. (Plus Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons) Hence my preference for things like the Focus.
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Post by Nick McRae on Dec 15, 2008 21:44:28 GMT
The furthest abroad I've been is Ireland
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Post by Mixa on Dec 15, 2008 22:13:21 GMT
NEW RUMOUR-- Subaru out aswell? By rumours them are yet to be signed for the WRC09. By rumours it all changed when WRC confirmed the more for S2000/Super N. Also the same page says that its might be due to possible buy out of Honda F1 Team by Prodrive.
Oh well,seems to be coming an 2005 when Mitsubishi,Skoda,Citroen and Peugeot informed to withdrawn from WRC due to money problems. Ok Citroen,Skoda and Peugeot continued as a private teams but Im concerned about the future.
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Post by Roo on Dec 15, 2008 22:53:01 GMT
Though to be fair, I have never known where Subaru get the money from, I hardly see any of their cars on the road - must be through merchandise! You've never been to NZ/Australia obviously! Subies EVERYWHERE. And Tasmania has more Subaru's per capita than anywhere else in Australia. Literally, every second car here is a Subaru. I think Subaru is ranked higher in overall sales than Ford, only Holden and Toyota are more popular. NEW RUMOUR-- Subaru out aswell? ... Im concerned about the future. It's just a rumour, but if it's proved to be true ... S**t, WRC is in big strife. I could not imagine Subaru, the Ferrari team of rallying, the icon of the sport, to pull out? Good thing we made the IRC thread, there might be nothing to discuss in the WRC next year! ;D
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mikew
Spectator
Posts: 13
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Post by mikew on Dec 15, 2008 22:58:38 GMT
No it's a division of a Fuji company GM did own a stake in Subaru but I think that was sold to Toyota who are seeing a down turn but are still actually making a profit.
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Post by Roo on Dec 15, 2008 23:32:21 GMT
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Post by tfliprex on Dec 16, 2008 2:32:21 GMT
Regarding Prodrive & it's finances, please follow the link below. HereFlip
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