Tamiya 1/24 Subaru Impreza WRC 1999

Tamiya 1/24 Subaru Impreza WRC 1999

The World Rally Championships of 1997 witnessed a relaxation of the regulations concerning vehicle customisation. The first team to make use of the allowance was Subaru, who unveiled the Impreza WRC. That machine has a vertically mounted gearbox and an all-aluminum horizontal four-cylinder turbo engine. Because of the way the gearbox was positioned behind the front axle, it was more manageable and ultimately helped the manufacturer win the championship that year.

The engine and gearbox were the main targets of the 1999 model's upgrades. The use of an electronically operated throttle mechanism came first. This system increases throttle response by translating the throttle position into electronic signals. There was also a 6-speed, semi-automatic gearbox available for the Impreza WRC.

This technique allows for abrupt gear changes, such going from sixth to first. The development of an electronically controlled damper system is still ongoing.

R. Burns, B. Thiry, and J. Kankkunen drive the Impreza WRC. In the 10th Finland Rally and the 7th Argentina Rally, Kankkunen and Burns came in first and second, respectively. Burns also won the 8th Acropolis Rally, which set the stage for a fierce competition in the second half of the season.