Rally

Minneapolis, Minnesota - CPD Racing will be at the start line of this weekend's Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Rim of the World ProRally in Palmdale, California with their long awaited, custom-built Subaru WRX. The car was created by Prodrive in England, the same company that builds and maintains the cars for Subaru's World Rally Championship effort and for Subaru Rally Team USA, specifically for the SCCA Open class. Driver Doug Havir and co-driver Scott Putnam are looking forward to their first event in their new ride.

"Prodrive provided us with a couple of different cars to run the first three events this year while our car was being put together," said Havir. "The WRX we drove at Cherokee Trails and Oregon Trail was more of a Group N-plus specification. It was plenty fast, but more importantly it was reliable. Our new car weighs 300 pounds less and has 100 more horsepower, so it is considerably quicker."

Prodrive engineered the CPD Racing Subaru specifically to meet SCCA Open class rules, which, unlike FIA regulations, have few restrictions. According to Ed Bentley of Prodrive USA (located in Dearborn, Michigan), the CPD Racing WRX is a Group N Subaru Sti body shell with many FIA Group A and WRC modifications.

"We used technology from the WRC cars to create a safety cage that offers greater rigidity and a lower center of gravity," said Bentley. "Carbon fiber has been used where ever possible to reduce weight."

The engine is a medley of proven parts from the Prodrive shelves, and rated at over 350 horsepower. The car currently has a Group N 6-speed gearbox, but will soon have the latest 5-speed dogbox homologated for Group N. The front differential has a clutch-style limited slip, the center viscous diff is electronically adjustable, while the rear diff is also mechanical. The driveshafts are the latest development as well, providing more reliability under the rigorous conditions common to rallying.

The suspension utilizes three-way adjustable shock absorbers by Ohlins of Sweden. Brakes, from Alcon, are bigger than those for Group N, but not quite as large or exotic as on the WRC cars. Pirelli rally tires on Speedline wheels provide the final connection between powerplant and road.

Havir and Putnam will be sitting on Sparco rally seats to protect them from impacts. The dash panel has been replaced with a Pi Research electronic display for the driver, while the co-driver will be assisted by the Coralba C-Giant and C-View rally odometers. The wiring harness has been re-engineered to aircraft specs to minimize problems from vibration and moisture.

The color chosen by Havir and Putnam is a bright yellow. The CPD Racing logo will be featured prominently on both sides, as well as the banners of sponsors Bloomington Subaru (of Bloomington, Minnesota) and www.subaru.net.

For more information or photos, contact Scott Putnam, 1-800-451-5078 or 612-309-5938

PRODRIVE OPEN CLASS SUBARU WRX

Prodrive are pleased to offer their world-beating knowledge and engineering experience to customers in the form of the highly powerful Subaru Impreza WRX Open Class Rally Car. This car has been specifically designed, engineered and tested in competition in the SCCA Pro-Rally Championship in the USA.

The success is clear to see, from 5 rally starts this car has 3 overall wins and 1 x 3rd place.

• The car is built from a Subaru Impreza WRX-STi imported directly from Japan. This car is designed and FIA homologated specifically for motorsport use. The Open Class car variant has progressed past Group N status to the hybrid SCCA Open Class.
• The bodyshell is fully seamwelded and strengthened incorporating a lightweight, multi-point rollcage manufactured from T45 steel with roof vent and rear wing. Painted Subaru blue and built in left-hand drive.
• 2 ltr turbo quad cam engine totally rebuilt where many are the standard parts are replaced by ultra strong and reliable competition parts to sustain the power and torque. Max power is 340 BHP+ with 510 NM of torque. The unit is dyno tested and mapped for Sunoco racing fuel. It includes a competition management system incorporating a turbo with a 40mm restrictor. Anti-lag system also included and mapped to the customer requirement.
• Optional 5 speed Prodrive-built close ratio dog change gearbox, or WRX STI 6 speed transmission. Latest specification 5 speed dog box available in March 2002 which will be complete with revised ratios. Both gearboxes use an electronic centre differential, front and rear LSD. Complete with competition clutch and hydraulic handbrake.
• 3 way adjustable (fast and slow speed bump and rebound) Ohlins suspension known to be the best in the market place. Spring and adjustable dampers with settings optimised based on Prodrive engineers 2001 experience.
• Braking system includes 4 piston front and 2 piston rear calipers with vented brake discs all round. Brake pad and wheel options available to suit gravel surfaces.
• Competition stainless steel exhaust system with catalytic converter.
• High ratio quick steering rack.
• Modified cross members to maximise turn in opportunities and Gp.A type links and roll bars to overall increase handling.
• Electrical and electronic systems are modified to full competition specification incorporating aviation-specification switches and contact breakers for safety and reliability. Wiring harness reworked to allow the fitment of all possible options.
• The fuel system has an FIA approved FT3 safety tank complete with external pump and filter. All fuel lines and connections are aeroquip-style manufactured to aviation standards.
• Fully guarded gravel undershield kits in alloy to protect engine sump and rear differential. Mudflaps and carbon floor pans to extend under bodyshell life.
• Interior equipment and fittings are to the highest standards including Prodrive seats, Sabelt six point harnesses, Lifeline automatic and hand-held fire extinguishers, drivers carbon-fibre false floor and footrest, map light, co-driver footrest, STACK information display and Coralba C-Rally tripmeter.