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Calling someone or something a rallying icon is a courageous statement and can be applied to great many makes and drivers. One of the icons is Subaru, a small Japanese manufacturer which co-operation with Prodrive raised to the top level of rallying.
Over the years, Subaru has not only employed some of the biggest names of the WRC like Ari Vatanen, Markku Alen, Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen but also made quite a few. Drivers like Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Petter Solberg all have made their name in blue Subaru.
Blue has been color of Subaru's livery almost through-out their rallying career. Originally adopted when tobacco brand 555 became team's sponsor in 1993, team has kept the color since despite end of that sponsorship. In fact, it is rumored that team in fact turned down some very lucrative sponsorships because deal would have required a change in color scheme.
Subaru had some peculiar features setting it apart from other manufacturers. First and foremost, they used boxer engine. In theory, boxer engine should provide lower centre of gravity but numerous engine ancillaries necessary today offset this advantage. The second peculiarity of Subaru is that all models they make for sale have four-wheel drive. Even though Subaru rally cars used entirely different 4WD technology, Subaru could use this similarity in their marketing.
By the time Subaru decided to leave the WRC at the end of 2008 season, they were fifth most successful make ever with 47 rally wins. Additionally, they had three makes' and two drivers' titles.
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