Subaru Australia will launch a new rally series for 2004 with the prospect of discovering a rally star of the future.

The Subaru Rally Challenge will be a new one-make series that offers drivers the opportunity to participate at the highest level at both Australian Rally Championship and Asia-Pacific Championship competition.

It is envisaged that competitors in the series will drive the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive Impreza RS, and compete for $100,000 of prize money.

The series patron, Cody Crocker, was himself discovered by Subaru back in 1998 and has gone on to win four Group N national titles. He currently leads the ARC outright as part of the all-conquering Subaru Rally Team Australia**.

Crocker believes the Impreza RS-based series could provide a fantastic platform for young drivers looking to take the next step in the sport.

"I was lucky to get a break with a factory team in my mid 20's, but before that I spent a long time building a car and trying to get noticed and get ahead in the sport," Crocker said.

"The proposed format allows talented drivers to go out there, compete side by side with the biggest names in the sport, but importantly go head-to-head with the other potential stars and make a name for themselves."

"A one-make series allows driving talent to shine because the cars are fundamentally equal."

"The benefit of having a car like the Impreza RS is that it has real rally heritage and an all-wheel drive platform, which is the way all the top rally cars, be they Group N or World Rally Cars, operate."

Subaru General Manager, Nick Senior, believes there is an exciting opportunity to further develop the sport of rallying in Australia by launching the Subaru Impreza RS one-make series.

"With the approval of the relevant stakeholders this "junior" series will complement the ARC Super Series, with competitors being able to enter five ARC Super Series rounds and the Subaru Rally of Canberra," Senior said.

A prize pool of $15,000 will be allocated for the five rounds of the ARC Super Series and a further $5000 for the Subaru Rally of Canberra.

The bulk of the prize money will go to series winners, with first place collecting $20,600, second $16,400 and third $12,300, and prize money allocated all the way down to eighth place.

In addition to the $20,600, the biggest single prize on offer in the Australian Rally Championship, the series winner will take home the Subaru Rally Challenge trophy and have a test-drive day with Cody Crocker.

Subaru has called for "Expressions of Interest" from prospective participants in the Subaru Rally Challenge. Directions are available from the website on the following Pdf document.

Click for expressions of interest information

As full details
of the series are still being finalised, those contacting Subaru on imprezaRSrally@subaru.com.au will receive proposed terms and conditions in due course.

Based on the responses, the company will select participants and offer to sell them a specially-built Impreza RS car.

The 2.5 litre five-speed manual cars will sell for $35,500 (Incl GST) and will be limited in number. Each will be supplied with FIA homologated roll cage fitted by Bond Roll Bars, Sparco Pro2000 seats and side mounts, Sparco 4 point 3"/3" harnesses, Sparco V type crutch straps, fire extinguishers, hi-tech exhaust, DMS giant 50mm suspension and window tinting.

Vehicle specification and regulations are being developed for a fair and competitive series based on FIA Group N regulations and approved by the Australian Rally Commission (ARCom).

While regulations will dictate that each car must meet certain design specifications, contestants will be free to source non-conflicting sponsorship and offer signage benefits to them. The Subaru Dealer Network across Australia has been encouraged to get behind the series through cash or in-kind sponsorships.

* The vehicle pictured is a promotional vehicle only. Rally vehicles offered for sale may differ from the vehicle pictured. Freight charges additional."

**As at October 3, 2002.