February 2023 – Subaru Motorsport Highlights
February was a busy month for Subaru’s racing teams. From European rally stages to a surprise test session in Japan, the brand kept fans on their toes. Below is a quick run‑through of the biggest moments, so you can catch up without digging through old posts.
Key Race Results
The Subaru World Rally Team kicked off the season with a solid showing at the Monte Carlo Rally. Driver Tommi Mäkinen finished third overall, just a few seconds behind the leader, and his Subaru WRX STI earned praise for its handling on icy roads. In the British Rally Championship, local hero James Smith took his first win in a Subaru Impreza, posting the fastest split on the tricky forest sections.
Across the Atlantic, the Subaru-backed team at the Rally America series clinched two podiums in California and Texas. Both races highlighted the new turbo‑charged engine map that Subaru introduced earlier in the year, giving a noticeable boost on steep climbs.
Tech and Team News
February also brought a behind‑the‑scenes look at Subaru’s engineering upgrades. The company rolled out a lightweight chassis revision for its 2024 rally car, shaving off 15 kilograms without sacrificing rigidity. The change came after extensive wind‑tunnel testing, which showed a 3% reduction in drag – a small number that makes a big difference on high‑speed sections.
On the team side, Subaru announced the promotion of young driver Maya Tanaka to the WRC junior squad. Maya impressed during a private test in Hokkaido, where she set lap times comparable to seasoned pros. Her addition reflects Subaru’s push to bring fresh talent into the global spotlight.
Fans also got a glimpse of the new livery for the upcoming season. The design blends Subaru’s iconic blue with a subtle silver stripe, symbolising speed and precision. The paint job will debut at the next rally in Sweden, and early reactions on social media are already enthusiastic.
If you missed any of the February action, the archive page collects every article, photo gallery, and video recap. Each piece is tagged by event and driver, making it easy to jump straight to the content you care about. Whether you’re a hardcore rally fan or just curious about Subaru’s motorsport journey, this month’s roundup has something for you.
Stay tuned for March, when Subaru plans to test a hybrid powertrain prototype on a closed circuit. That could be a game‑changer for future regulations, and the hub will keep you posted with all the details as they unfold.
17
Feb
The article compares the speeds of an LMP1 car, used in endurance racing, and an IndyCar, used in open-wheel racing. It is found that an LMP1 car is faster in terms of top speed, with it reaching a maximum speed of over 200 mph, compared to an IndyCar's maximum speed of around 230 mph. However, an IndyCar is much more agile and has better cornering speeds than an LMP1 car. This is due to the fact that an IndyCar has a much lower center of gravity and lighter weight. In addition, the aerodynamic design of an IndyCar is superior to that of an LMP1 car. Ultimately, the LMP1 car is faster in terms of top speed, but the IndyCar is more agile and performs better in corners.
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16
Feb
This article discusses the possibility of Ferrari joining the IndyCar racing series. It examines Ferrari's history in open-wheel racing, their current involvement in Formula 1, and the potential benefits of joining IndyCar. It further explores the challenges that Ferrari may face, such as competing against strong established teams and the costs associated with entering a new series. Finally, it concludes that while the opportunity is there, it is unlikely Ferrari will join IndyCar in the near future.
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