VIDEO // TRIBUTE TO THE GROUP A SUBARU IMPREZA 555

From the always impressive Rally Channel comes this tribute to the Group A Subaru Impreza 555, a car that competed throughout the 1990's in WRC events around the world, with drivers such as Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz and Ari Vatanen at the wheel. One of, if not the quintessential rally car, the GC8 Impreza will always be a favorite of ours at ColdTrackDays! // [comment]

VIDEO // THE MAKING OF A RALLY PHOTOGRAPH

The above photograph, taken at the Tempest Rally by ColdTrackDays correspondent, Neil Tozer, is but one example of the dedication, determination and daring exemplified by photographers who choose to shoot rally racing.

In the video featured below, watch as Neil and one other photographer in the landing area are, as Neil puts it, "rather risking it, all in the name of art!"

Follow the link for a look... [read more]



Images and Info: Neil Tozer
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // SUBARU TO RETURN TO RALLY RACING IN 2010

After a one year sabbatical from the sport, Subaru is set to return to the rough roads and narrow streets that define European rally racing. But when they do it won't be the World Rally Championship that sees the blue and yellow, but instead their rival the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Although they have competed in the IRC since its inception, even winning the first IRC stage back in 2007, Subaru was never listed as an official manufacturer in the series. So for 2010, instead of fielding a works team, Subaru will supply their cars to privateers and will be eligible to score points in manufacturer championship.

With the addition of Subaru to the IRC, the series now has eight automakers signed up to compete in 2010, to include Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Proton, Skoda and Volkswagen // [comment]

UK RALLYING // SOUTH OF ENGLAND TEMPEST RALLY

Fantastic weather, fervent rally fans and a full field of cars made for a thrilling JLT South Of England Tempest Rally this weekend as both competitors and spectators enjoyed the action across the forest stages surrounding Aldershot on the Hampshire/Surrey border in the UK.

Will Nicholls from the Isle of White took victory in the 4 wheel drive section of the event While Jason Pritchard claimed the spoils in the 2 wheel drive class... [read more]

This year the Tempest did not live up to its name in terms of weather as crews and rally fans were greeted by clear skies all through the one day event. Stages took place both in the Hampshire forests and the surrounding military ranges including Longmoor Camp.

The day however started with a headache for the organisers as on the very first stage an accident to one of the front runners caused a delay of an hour to the rally schedule of the 4 wheel drive section but thankfully no serious injuries were sustained and with great organisation the event proceeded without further problems.

Tempest 4WD:


Nicholls (above) piloting his usual Subaru Impreza S9 WRC was involved in a frenetic struggle with rally ace Marcus Dodd (below) from Poole in Dorset at the front of the Tempest 4 over the course of the morning stages with at one point the pair tying for the lead as they came into service. This fantastic fight was to be short lived however as Dodd's Hyundai Accent developed a differential fault after stage 4 forcing him and co-driver Alun Cook into retirement. With Nicholls now able to drop his pace but yet still keep a cushion over his rivals the man from Ventnor who has now won the event four times commented "We were having a great battle but once Marcus dropped out it was a case of bringing the car home." Finishing the day behind the multiple winner in the top three were the Ford Focus's of Andrew Barnes and John Lloyd.

Local driver Peter Egerton from Burley near Ringwood was also a retirement in his Hyundai Accent WRC. For Peter it was not mechanical issues with his car but was instead a flare up of a existing back injury which was aggravated by some of the rougher sections during the morning loop of stages.

Results 4WD Top Ten:

1 Will Nicholls/ Nick Broom Subaru Impreza S9 WRC
2 Andrew Barnes/ Guy Simmons Ford Focus WRC
3 John Lloyd/ Adrian Cavenagh Ford Focus WRC
4 Robert Swann/ Darren Garrod Subaru Impreza N14
5 Martyn England/ Ian Enland Mitsubishi EVO
6 Wug Utting/ Bob Stokoe Subaru Impreza
7 Martin Newcombe/ Peter Newcombe Mitsubishi EVO6
8 Mick Harris/ Mike Harris Subaru Impreza
9 Tristan Bailey/ James Howe Mitsubishi EVO9
10 Nigel Seabold/ Tim Barton Subaru Impreza


Tempest 2WD:

The Tempest 2 section of the event consisting of the two wheel drive entrants saw a win for the little front wheel drive Citroen C2 R2 Max of youngster Jason Pritchard and his co-driver Robbie Durrant who produced a sparkling drive seeing off the more powerful Mk2 Ford Escort's. 21 yr old Jason who has been contesting Rallycross and Stage Rallying since the age of 14 spent the first few stages getting into his stride before moving up through the field during the afternoon to take the victory. At the finish a delighted Jason was concerned over his social arrangements commenting "The real shame is that we are going home tonight without a party - we will have to celebrate over Sunday lunch tomorrow."

Pushing Pritchard all the way to the finish was the fellow Citroen crew of Mark Gamble and Janice Moore who closed to within only 20 seconds of the leader by the time the final run through the Warren stage was complete. Gamble was in reflective mood back at rally HQ and said "In hindsight I should have put the lamp pod on when Jason did. It probably could have made all the difference but we are really pleased with second place."

Results 2WD Top Ten:

1 Jason Pritchard/ Robbie Durrant Citroen C2 R2 Max
2 Mark Gamble/ Janice Moore Citroen C2 R2 Max
3 Jim Munden/ John Leigh Ford Escort
4 Ernie Graham/ Andy Greenland Ford Escort RS
5 David Harris/ Tim Babbage Ford Escort Mk2
6 Ian Roberton/Kenny Roberts Nissan 240RS
7 Julian Wilkes/Will Rutherford Vauxhall Nova VXR190
8 Terry Brown/ Arwell Jenkins Ford Escort Mk2
9 Simon Rees/ Simon Illsley Ford Escort
10 Stephen Richards/ Ian Withecombe Ford Escort

With a full field of cars and some fantastic action including the legendary Tempest Jump which sees the 4WD cars take to the air, organisers are already planning for next year's event which hopefully will be even better.


Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

LOCAL RIDE // DAVE MANN'S GC8 SUBARU IMPREZA

I don't know Dave Mann. Matter of fact, I hadn't heard of him or his GC8 Subaru Impreza until yesterday. It all started when I stumbled across a photo of Dave's Impreza while browsing the internet. Impressed with it's stance and overall aesthetic, I posted the photo to the ColdTrackDays facebook page. A few peopled commented on the photo, seemingly as impressed as I was. Others asked for more info, more photos. I decided to do a bit of research and figure out who owned the Impreza and see if I could drum up some information and maybe a few more photos.

Well, after an exhaustive web search (really, this guy was hard to find!) I came across both Dave's blog and his Flickr photostream. And while I still don't know Dave, judging by the build quality and aesthetic of his Impreza, I am sure we would get along!

Follow the link for a few more shots of Dave Mann's incredible GC8 Impreza... [read more]







For a look at more photos from Dave Mann, be sure and visit his blog and photostream!

Photo: Dave Mann
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

THE GOBSTOPPER // 2008 UK TIME ATTACK SERIES CHAMPION

Shot during the fifth round of the UK Time Attack series at Brands Hatch, watch as the Roger Clark Motorsport's Subaru Impreza, dubbed the ‘Gobstopper,’ decimates the competition on their way to an overall win for 2008. In car action starts @ 2:00...

Video courtesy of our friends at Clashproduction // [comment]

PART TWO // KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA SEQUEL

It goes without saying that Ken Block has skill behind the wheel. The first installment in his 'Gymkhana Practice' video series, dare we call it a series, was a 600bhp infused, tire smoking, pylon grazing ride through some abandoned warehouse and adjacent parking lot. Now, Block intends to do it al over again, this time with a bit more power and an all new ride. The video featured above is the second teaser to hit the interwebs and showcases the build of Block's new weapon of choice. According to the guys at 0-60 Magazine, Block's new 2009 Subaru Impreza STI was build by Crawford Performance and took 43 days and over 800 man hours to build. Stay tuned for the next installment... // [comment]