CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America announced today defending five-time Rally America Champion David Higgins will have a new teammate for the 2014 Rally America Championship, former Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana.
Travis Pastrana returns to Subaru Rally Team USA for the 2014 Rally America season. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
Travis Pastrana driving a 2015 Subaru WRX in Vermont. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
Travis Pastrana testing in Vermont with a 2014 WRX STI rally car. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
The first 2015 WRX STI to arrive at Vermont SportsCar, the home of Subaru Rally Team USA. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins in the 2015 WRX STI. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
Defending Rally America Champion David Higgins and the 2015 WRX STI. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
David Higgins and co-driver Craig Drew checking out their future rally office, the 2015 WRX STI. (PRNewsFoto/Subaru of America, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.)
"Subaru is very excited to bring back both of our former rally champions. Between David and Travis, Subaru Rally Team USA has won the Rally America Championship seven times in the last eight years. Having them together this season will give us our best chance at defending our title," stated Rob Weir, Motorsports Marketing Manager.
In 2013, Subaru Rally Team USA'sDavid Higgins with co-driver Craig Drew won a season-long battle against Ford, to win their third Rally America driver's title in a row and the Manufacturer's title for Subaru of America. "It's going to be great having Travis back with the team. He has a massive following and it will be great for the sport to have him back. Amazingly, between all our championships in the USA we have never really competed against each other, aside from an odd event or two. I know we will work well together, but also have a healthy rivalry too," said David Higgins.
Travis Pastrana, who began his auto racing career driving a Subaru in 2004, won four straight Rally America titles with Subaru Rally Team USA between 2006 and 2010. "I'm so happy to be back with the team I've been most successful with in the past. Rally racing is where my heart is and it's a privilege to do it in a Subaru. The competition is stronger and our cars are faster than they have ever been here in the USA. It won't be easy to get back to the top, but I'm looking forward to the challenge!" stated Pastrana.
Higgins & Drew will begin their season at Sno*Drift Rally, the first round of the Rally America Championship held in Atlanta, MIJanuary 24-25th. Pastrana will make his debut at the second round of the series, the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood held in Salem, MOFebruary 21st-22nd. Pastrana will also compete in Global RallyCross at X Games June 6-7th.
Pastrana and Higgins will compete in 2014 WRX STI rally cars featuring Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Both cars are prepared and managed by Vermont SportsCar, who also manages Subaru of America's rallycross efforts in the Global RallyCross Championship. The all-new 2015 WRX STI, which debuted today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is in development at Vermont SportsCar and the team will debut the car later in 2014.
About Subaru Rally Team USA
Subaru Rally Team USA is managed by Vermont SportsCar and proudly supported by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Method Race Wheels, RECARO, PIAA,, and Race Proven. For more information on Subaru Rally Team USA, as well as exclusive photo and video galleries, visit http://subaru.com/rally and for the latest news follow the team on Twitter: @srtusa.
Contact:
Rob Weir Motorsports Marketing Mgr. Subaru of America, Inc. [email protected] O: 856.488.3453
Dominick Infante Subaru of America, Inc. 856-488-8615 [email protected]
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