WR car that survived many real battles

The Tokyo Auto Salon was held in January 2024. The event has always had a strong affinity with motorsports, and now serves as a venue for manufacturers to showcase their new competition vehicles and race teams. In addition to the latest machines, the event also showcases historic competition vehicles that have competed in races and rallies in the past.

The Impreza has many ardent fans.

The Subaru “Impreza” was on display across the booths of two companies: AION Racing Service, which specializes in building competition cars, and WISESQUARE, which sells lightweight parts and aero parts, and also participates in drifting competitions. The Impreza made its debut in the 1993 1000 Lakes Rally as the successor to the Legacy RS.

Since then, it has fought to the death against strong rivals such as the Lancia “Delta HF”, Toyota “Celica”, Mitsubishi “Lancer Evolution”, and Ford “Escort RS”, and won the Manufacturers’ Championship for three consecutive years from 1995 to 1997. Even after Subaru withdrew from the top WR car category due to its spectacular success, it still has many ardent fans.

Since WRC cars of this era were based on production cars, it is possible to make a very realistic replica as long as the base car is available. However, the E-GC8 Impreza WRC (S5) exhibited here is the “real thing” with a history of being built by Prodrive and fielded by the Subaru World Rally Team in 1997.

It is said to be the same car that competed in the Rally Australia in 1997 driven by Kenneth Eriksson and the Swedish Rally in 1998 driven by Colin McRae. Unfortunately, both of these rallies resulted in retirements. In 2022, the restoration was completed, and the car was restored to its original condition as it was in the 1998 Swedish Rally.

For professional racers and rally fans, a car is a tool for competition. They always need the latest tools to win, and there is no need for antiques or archaeological significance. Tools that have served their purpose are naturally retired and discarded, but there are some lucky ones, such as this Impreza WR car, that have survived many real-world battles and have been restored to their original form. We are also happy to see that the British registration number “R17 WRC” issued when this car was registered by Prodrive is still the same as it was in those days.