Subaru World Rally Team boss David Richards has predicted that the Banbury-based outfit will be just as competitive as arch rivals Ford and
Citroen by the end of this year.
Subaru launched the all-new Impreza WRC2008 just prior to the summer break, and following the two events in Greece and Turkey, there is a real sense of optimism that the squad can re-discover the form that saw it win over 40 World Rally Championship rallies between 1993 to 2005 - the last time the Japanese manufacturer took 'gold' in the WRC.
Speaking exclusively to
Crash.net Radio at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Richards added that the signs are all very promising for the future.
"It is still early days with the new Impreza - and we have only done two events with it so far, but I am very encouraged," he confirmed. "I think you will see a different style of driving from Petter [Solberg] during the remainder of the year. He is very positive about the car and it suits him - and Chris [Atkinson] is very happy too. I am very confident.
"I expect them to be regularly taking fastest stage times and if you do that it usually gets you on the podium. And if you get on the podium enough, then sometimes you win too.
"We will be in a strong position for 2009. Indeed by the latter part of this season I don't see any reason why we can't be as competitive as anyone else out there. I am looking forward to the next few rounds."
As for the next event in Finland, which gets underway next week, Richards noted that in his view they will go there in great shape.
"Finland is one of the true classic events and has always been a favourite of mine," the Prodrive man continued in the official SWRT preview for the ninth round in the WRC. "From the days of Markku Alen, Hannu Mikkola and Ari Vatanen the local drivers have excelled here and I expect this year to be no different.
