In Norway, a country with fiercely active rally competition, a unique one-make series has started this year. Using the Impreza WRX STI as a base, roll cage, guards and safety equipment etc. are added. The fact that E85 bio ethanol fuel is used is a feature of the series. In addition to rallies run on snow (pictured) and gravel events, run on dirt roads, circuit races, contested on pavement have also been added to the series calendar.
A concept of SUBARU Norway, the plan for the series is for customers to enjoy motorsport with the Impreza throughout the year.
Participation in the SUBARU Cup began already in January, and two rounds of the Norwegian Rally Championship have taken place. Making his WRC debut in 2008, Andreas Mikkelsen (Norway) participated in the opening round in a SUBARU Cup car. He fought strongly with the other, high-powered gasoline-spec. cars, taking third at the finish. His rivals were surprised.
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In order to improve the environment, Austrian WRC driver Manfred Stohl and local energy enterprise OMV have united in collaboration, developing a CNG (compressed natural gas)-powered Impreza WRX STI. The car took part in the opening round of the Austrian Rally Championship, held in a mountainous area of the country in the first week of January. Even in motor sport, CNG is known as a clean fuel that gives off little in the way of emissions such as CO2 and NOx.
On the first day Stohl took it easy, concerned about the gas tank that had been installed in the trunk (picture, left), ending the day 10th.
However, after confirming there were no problems with the new technology, picked up the pace, setting top stage times in rapid succession. He finished the rally in 4th place.
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