Mitsubishi pulling out of FIA WRC
Dec 13, 2005, 02:57 PM
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Mitsubishi pulling out of FIA WRC
Mitsubishi Motors to Suspend Participation in the FIA World Rally Championship Series.
Tokyo, December 14, 2005― Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced that it has decided to suspend participation in the FIA World Rally Championship series from 2006.
With the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan as a basis, MMC has made a solid start toward revitalizing its business operations. However, to strengthen and build upon this base, MMC realizes that it must focus management resources on the continued promotion of the revitalization plan.
Mitsubishi Motors hopes to return to the WRC Championship series from 2008, after the completion of the 3-year revitalization plan, which covers fiscal 2005 to 2007.
This decision however does not extend to MMC’s efforts in the Dakar Rally (commonly known as Paris-Dakar). Mitsubishi Motors will continue to compete in this event.
-- Starting with an overall championship in the Safari Rally in 1974, the Mitsubishi WRC Team has accomplished a spectacular 34 wins in the WRC series. The team won the drivers’ title 4 consecutive years from 1996 to 1999, and won the prestigious manufacturers’ title in 1998.
With the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan as a basis, MMC has made a solid start toward revitalizing its business operations. However, to strengthen and build upon this base, MMC realizes that it must focus management resources on the continued promotion of the revitalization plan.
Mitsubishi Motors hopes to return to the WRC Championship series from 2008, after the completion of the 3-year revitalization plan, which covers fiscal 2005 to 2007.
This decision however does not extend to MMC’s efforts in the Dakar Rally (commonly known as Paris-Dakar). Mitsubishi Motors will continue to compete in this event.
-- Starting with an overall championship in the Safari Rally in 1974, the Mitsubishi WRC Team has accomplished a spectacular 34 wins in the WRC series. The team won the drivers’ title 4 consecutive years from 1996 to 1999, and won the prestigious manufacturers’ title in 1998.
Dec 13, 2005, 03:25 PM
#5
Ouch! Peugeot, Citroen, Skoda and now Mitsu 
... Haha that only leaves Subaru and Ford ... something needs to be done about the rules ... just make group N (production cars) compete as the main factory backed cars in WRC!!!
... Haha that only leaves Subaru and Ford ... something needs to be done about the rules ... just make group N (production cars) compete as the main factory backed cars in WRC!!!
Last edited by DaWorstPlaya; Dec 13, 2005 at 08:46 PM.
Dec 13, 2005, 03:57 PM
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Yup. That sums it up without asteriks showing up. Perhaps, they will supply privateer teams as the other manufacturers are pledging. While if I was shopping, I would not pay to have a works Skoda, or honestly a work Mitsu at this point, maybe there will be a team or two for each of the man. pull-outs to be represented. Just Ford vs. Subaru will not be well taken by the main fan base in Europe I would fear.
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Dec 13, 2005, 04:05 PM
#8
Originally Posted by DaWorstPlaya
Ouch! Peugeot, Citroen, Skoda and now Mitsu ... Haha that only leaves Subaru and Ford ... something needs to be about the rules ... just make group N (production cars) compete as the main factory backed cars in WRC!!!
... Haha that only leaves Subaru and Ford ... something needs to be about the rules ... just make group N (production cars) compete as the main factory backed cars in WRC!!!
Dec 13, 2005, 04:59 PM
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How unfortunate. WRC has gotten out of control, too many rule changes, extreme competition costs..... little guys being driven out, sounds a lot like nascar.
Dec 13, 2005, 05:20 PM
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That's a shame. But I suppose it's better to leave it for a few years than to continue with a half-hearted effort.
I wonder how this will effect the launch of the evoX. Will they even be running the X in the WRC, the timing just doesn't seem to fit...
I wonder how this will effect the launch of the evoX. Will they even be running the X in the WRC, the timing just doesn't seem to fit...
Dec 13, 2005, 05:34 PM
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This is ridiculous. FIA has gotten crazy with rule changes and now most of the factory teams have pulled out. WRC is going to be getting boring now. There are going to be a lot of top level drivers without a ride in 2006, unless they all run privateer cars.
Dec 13, 2005, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by solo2racer
This is ridiculous. FIA has gotten crazy with rule changes and now most of the factory teams have pulled out. WRC is going to be getting boring now. There are going to be a lot of top level drivers without a ride in 2006, unless they all run privateer cars.
Yeah, how sad is it that the World Champion has to drive for a privateer team next year.
Dec 14, 2005, 10:31 AM
#14
This just sucks. I thought 2006 could've been a good year for Mitsubishi.
I hope Galli can find a ride.
Edit: Okay, just let the G/F know to cancel the cable tier that includes the Speed Channel. F**k paying for 22 hours/day of NASCAR programming if I can't catch a glimpse of a Mitsubishi WRC car at full tilt once a month.
I hope Galli can find a ride.
Edit: Okay, just let the G/F know to cancel the cable tier that includes the Speed Channel. F**k paying for 22 hours/day of NASCAR programming if I can't catch a glimpse of a Mitsubishi WRC car at full tilt once a month.
Last edited by nubby; Dec 14, 2005 at 10:43 AM.
