Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is entering a custom-tuned Impreza WRX STI in this year’s 24-hour race at Germany’s famed Nürburgring.
The campaign will be under the direct supervision of STI President Takeshi Tachimori, from May 12 to 16.
The Nürburgring consists of the 5.1 kilometre Grand Prix track, used by F1 and DTM sprint racers, and the 20.8 km Nordschleife, also known as the Old Course, which Subaru and STI use for vehicle development and testing.
The Nordschleife is a rigorous and highly demanding road course, with a 300-metre elevation change and over 170 turns. Every year, more than 200 cars participate in the race, with a focus on European touring cars.
STI also participated in the 2009 Nürburgring 24-hour race, completing 133 laps (approximately 3375 km) and placing fifth in the SP3T class (for vehicles with turbocharged engines of up to two litres). The Impreza WRX STI will again be entered in the same class.
This year's model incorporates several improvements based on past racing experience. They include a significant weight decrease and lower centre of gravity, an increase in drivability, more responsive handling, increased engine power and an optimized transmission gear ratio.
In charge of bringing the team together is STI's head of vehicle testing, Hideharu Tatsumi.
The team will feature an international line-up with Japanese drivers Kazuo Shimizu, who has extensive experience racing at the Nürburgring, Toshihiro Yoshida, making his fourth attempt at the event, as well as Dutchman Carlo van Dam, who helped to demonstrate the speed of the Impreza GT300 in SUPER GT in 2008, with a local German driver, still to be announced, rounding out the quartet.
Project name: STI NBR CHALLENGE 2010
Entrant name: SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL
Participating car: Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GRB) 2.0-litre EJ20 type DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine, with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
Vehicle Preparation: STI
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