Here's a compilation about the mythical first generation Subaru Impreza WRC car I recorded in all these years during various editions of the San Marino RallyLegend. It was introduced in 1997, when FIA replaced the Group A formula with a new formula called World Rally Car which gave teams more freedom in various areas during the development (vehicle width, suspension geometry, aerodynamics, intercooler capacity and engine). Compared to the Impreza GC8 Group A, the WRC97 featured a two-door body, widened rear axle, flared arches, a well-developed front and rear bumper and the iconic rear wing.
For the 1998 season the WRC97 was improved in some areas. It obtained computer controlled active differentials, an electronic throttle and electronically adjustable shock absorbers. It was still featuring an H-pattern gearbox. The car, renamed WRC98, didn't had the same success of the WRC97. For the second half of the season, it obtained another iconic feature: the central air scoop on the roof, replacing the two used on the WRC97 and in the first half of the '98 season. All the original 1997 chassis were later upgraded to WRC98 specs.
Impreza WRC99 was introduced from the first round of the 1999 season. Upgrades of this car were a strengthened, stiffened and lightened bodyshell, revised engine internals with a new turbo but the most important of all was the introduction of a new semi-auto and fully hydraulic transmission, allowing the cars to be shifted with a steering wheel mounted paddle. This allowed the driver to shift gears faster, and reduced the chance of dog-gear wear. The WRC99 began to have the deserved success only from the second half of 1999.
WRC97, WRC98 and WRC99 were known as Impreza S5 WRCs by Prodrive.
The final chapter of the Impreza 'GC' WRC car started in 2000 with a complete revised car. Even if from the external look it looked almost identical to the WRC99, the new WRC2000 (S6 or even called P2000) had over 80% of the car's mechanical and electronic components redesigned. It had three active differentials and a lowered center of gravity. Different aerodynamic modifications were incorporated to improve car stability at high speeds and the front bumper was redesigned, with a modified lower air inlet (now square-shaped) and a bigger front splitter, to generate higher downforce by reducing the amount of air flowing below the car. It was also fitted with bigger and better placed radiators, holes on the hood were modified and enlarged such as the rear wing too, with bigger endplates and a thinner upper blade.
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In this video you can see 6 different chassis of the WRC97-2000. Only 4 of them were used in the non-competitive rally, but still being used during the shakedown and on the various special stages to the delight of the public and fans. For the remaining two cars, I was lucky enough to capture them in 2017 during the Colin McRae Tribute, a parade held in order to celebrate the unforgettable Scottish rally driver, being 10 years since his tragic death.
In particular:
- 'T1 SRT' plate / No. 9: it's a WRC98, chassis no. 33. It's the one you see at the beginning of the video and and perhaps the one that appears the most here. It was never used in a WRC round but built and sold for a private team in 1999.
- 'R18 WRC' / No. 3: WRC97, chassis no. 18. It was built in 1997 and it was used by Colin McRae only in the Australian round of the World Rally Championship. It was then sold and used in national rallies. You can see it in the video only at 3:38 and 7:50.
- 'R19 WRC'/No. 15: WRC97, chassis 19. Works car for the 1997 season, driven by Kenneth Eriksson, then upgraded to WRC98 and used by both Kenneth and Colin in few rounds of 1998.
- 'P8 WRC'/No. 25: WRC97, chassis 8. Another McRae chassis for the 1997 season then sold to private owners.
- 'T12 SRT'/ No. 19: WRC99, chassis 9. Richard Burns' car for 5 rounds of the 1999 season. You can see it at 3:12 of the video.
- 'W19 SRT'/No. 20 & 42: WRC2000, chassis 6. Used in two rounds by Juha Kankkunen and in one by Richard Burns. It's the all blue car you see and hear chirping the most.
#SubaruImprezaWRC #ImprezaWRC #SubaruWRC
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I have to thank my friends and youtubers @Italiansupercarvideo and @MattyB727 for the great collaboration done during some of these events!
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- Event: RallyLegend 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020
- Where: San Marino
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6 сен 2024
