New Subaru Rallycross Fighter

 Dubbed VT15x, this is the third evolution of an STI-based Rallycross car for Subaru in four years built by technical partner Vermont SportsCar. “We made huge strides in durability and competitiveness last season,” stated Vermont SportsCar Team Principal Lance Smith. “The VT15x is almost entirely-new technology. This car is a revolution, not just an evolution.” 

Debuting in Bucky Lasek’s new livery, the VT15x features a 580 Horsepower 2.0L Subaru Boxer engine, a 6-speed SADEV® sequential gearbox and all-wheel drive. Other features include a rallycross-spec widebody, and METHOD® Race Wheels. The VT15x is capable of 0-60 in just two seconds. The new car will meet GRC and FIA Rallycross homologation standards.

Updates and revisions to the VT15x are widespread compared to the VT14x version ran by Subaru Rally Team USA last year. Optimizing weight balance, center-of-gravity, suspension geometry, and aerodynamics were key focuses to improve handling; while increased engine power and response led to gains in overall speed and launching capability at the start. “The foundation of every great race car is the chassis you start with. Using the 2015 WRX STI, we have seen gains in handling and cornering in both our stage rally and rallycross cars; which is a testament to advancements in design from the factory” stated Smith.

Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance company for the brand, has stepped up their technical support of rallycross development with Vermont SportsCar; bringing their WRC and circuit racing expertise to the Subaru rallycross program. “STI is increasing their support of our U.S. based efforts in rallycross. Their expertise and development resources will take our program to an even more competitive level,” stated Rob Weir, Subaru Motorsports Marketing Manager.

Subaru Rally Team USA showed a steady rise in performance last season, claiming five Red Bull GRC podiums including a Silver Medal at X Games, and victory for Sverre Isachsen at the GRC Seattle round. Bucky Lasek and Sverre Isachsen will again lead the factory race effort with Travis Pastrana joining them at X Games, and select rounds to be announced soon. “Confidence is high within the Subaru camp that we have a winning package of driver talent driving faster cars for this season,” said Weir. “Our goal in 2014 was getting to the front row of every final and being on the podium. This year, our only goal is winning.”

 

Subaru Rally Team USA will begin their 2015 rallycross season at the first Red Bull Global Rallycross round May 31 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Immediately followed by X Games June 5 in Austin, TX. For more details visit subaru.com/rally.
Full coverage of Subaru Rally Team USA is available on the Subaru Motorsports App. To download from the iTunes App store, click here, for Android App on Google Play store, click here. Follow the team on Instagram @srtusa and Twitter @srtusa.

About Subaru Rally Team USA
Subaru Rally Team USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Method Race Wheels, Royal Purple, DMACK Tires, RECARO, PIAA and Race Proven. Follow the team online at www.subaru.com/rally

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit media.subaru.com.

SUBARU OF AMERICA PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL

Subaru Deepens Its Commitment to the Environment and National Parks Through Renewed Relationship

Cherry Hill, N.J. -  Subaru of America, Inc. today announced its continued commitment to the environment and America’s national parks through a multi-year partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks. The partnership celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service and America’s national parks.

“Subaru is proud to be a premier partner of the National Park Service Centennial celebration and play a role in celebrating the milestone of such a worthy organization,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “At Subaru, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world and preserving our environment and we want to help ensure that the national parks are around for at least another hundred years.”

In addition to supporting the work of NPF and celebrating the 100 year milestone of the National Park Service, Subaru has donated Outback vehicles for use at four of America’s national parks. Subaru also promoted a fee-free day at the parks on National Public Lands Day. Subaru has been a partner of NPF since 2013 and donated nearly $3 million through its annual “Share the Love” campaign.

The company, known for its commitment to community service, is also helping Subaru retailers across the country to volunteer at national parks to show their support for their local area through the “Subaru Loves The Earth” initiative. At a time when many national parks are strained by lack of resources and staff, volunteers provide an invaluable service and help ensure that these special places will continue to be cherished for generations to come.

As a premier partner, Subaru will support the NPF’s efforts for Find Your Park, a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and setting the stage for the national parks’ next 100 years. Find Your Park invites the public to see that a national park is more than just a place -- it can be a feeling, a state of mind, or a sense of American pride. Beyond vast landscapes, the campaign highlights historical, urban, and cultural parks, as well as National Park Service programs that protect, preserve and share nature, culture, and history in communities nationwide. Further, Find Your Park encourages people to find their own personal connections within the network of national parks and their programs.

“The National Park Service Centennial is a critical moment for America’s national parks and the cornerstone for their future,” said Dan Wenk, interim president of the National Park Foundation. “By connecting the next generation with our national parks in meaningful ways and sharing a commitment to sustainability and preserving our environment, Subaru is helping us build a movement that will help ensure that these special places are protected well beyond the next 100 years.”

Subaru is deeply committed to the environment and has a history of taking steps to protect it, including building fuel-efficient vehicles in eco-friendly plants and forging partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Leave No Trace, American Canoe Association, International Mountain Biking Association, and the National Park Foundation that empower employees and customers to engage with and improve the world around us.

For more information on the National Park Foundation and how to support and protect America’s national parks, please visit www.nationalparks.org.

About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 407 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at: www.nps.gov.

About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of more than 600 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants, and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com.