Estate cars (wagon) in BTCC

So, you came here expecting this didn't you?

But, nope. I was jsut watching this years BTCC and guess who's running estate cars these days? Scoobydoo. Not doing too well so far, but it's their first year in the championship.

BTW this is a 'Subaru Levorg' 'LEgacy, reVOlution, touRinG' it shares the same platform as the Impreza and is running in the BTCC in RWD guise.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So, you came here expecting this didn't you?

Yes I did.

I wish we got the levorg stateside

That thing is beautiful

^Not really any such thing as a beautiful Suby sedan, but it is a striking race car.

That's cool! I like the "What Car?" sticker on the rockers.

Man, how do people come up with these liveries?!?!? (Goes off to start a thread...)

Love these beasts. Get all giddy about building a flying shoebox everytime I see them...

Furious_E wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So, you came here expecting this didn't you?

Yes I did.

I think we all did.

My ex just sold her 850 turbo wagon. Damn, that was a cursed car... but it would have made a good base for a BTCC replica as the base color is white. That was such a nice car, except for the automatic that was forever breaking.

The Subie is cool, though. Not as cool as the Volvo, but still cool.

cool wagon race cars:

That yellow Impreza, the flares...OMG I want.

Ian F wrote:

Furious_E wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So, you came here expecting this didn't you?

Yes I did.

I think we all did. My ex just sold her 850 turbo wagon. Damn, that was a cursed car... but it would have made a good base for a BTCC replica as the base color is white. That was such a nice car, except for the automatic that was forever breaking. The Subie is cool, though. Not as cool as the Volvo, but still cool.

Between my dad and myself, we have owned an 850 N/A auto wagon, an N/A 5 speed sedan, and a Turbo/auto sedan, none of which were in the family at the same time. Disappointing, because a Turbo/5 speed/wagon would have been AWESOME.

driver109x wrote: That's cool! I like the "What Car?" sticker on the rockers.

Doesn't that make this a "what car" thread?

Dammit if Subaru would just bring the Levorg to the states (and call it something less stupid). I'd be at the front of the line. And then I'd race it :)

Reviving my own thread from last year. Did anyone watch any BTCC last year? It's really great racing these days. Three rounds (races) per event weekend. The first race the grid is based on Qualifying positions. The second race grid is based on the finishing places from the first race and the third race has the top 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 finishers from race 2 reversed. Thisi s based on a random drawing just befor gridding up for the race to stop sandbagging. There's no point in deliberatly dropping from 5th t 6th to try and get pole with the random element. Anyway, I've never been a fan of reverse grids, but this is only the top 6 to 10 cars so you don't get totally screwed and be punished for a win by going to the back of the grid.

Anyway, regardless of the format how did the Subaru do? Really well in fact. There were 10 weekends so 30 races. The Scoobies had to skip the third event (rounds 7, 8 and 9) as they were having fuel system issues. They managed to win six rounds, thee each for Turkington and Plato and wrap up 3rd in the manufacturers championship.

Here's some more gratuitous Scoobie Pron for you.

Ian F wrote: Not as cool as the Volvo, but still cool.

I love that someone can say this here and not get laughed at.

Being that in not anywhere near btcc. Does anyone know how you can watch it in the states? Does motortrend televise? I have a subscription for that.

I thought they had banned wagons because of the rear downforce advantage. They only ran the 855 one year (and won the championship, didn't they?), then went to the sedans.

Must be wrong.

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

Completly different rules now. Back then it was Supertouring, now it's 'NGTC' a much cheaper format that is more sustainable and gives private teams a chance. Standardized front and rear subframe and mounts, standard turbo, ECU, Injectors, Intercooler. Standard trans etc. Off the shelf or your own engine with the mandated parts fitted. Hence Ford, Merc, BMW, Subaru can run factory cars and independant teams like the MG's can use the off the shelf engine (the road cars only use Diesels now) Also most cars these days are hatchbacks not saloons so any aero advantage of a wagon is much less. Also I think the wagon aero story was at least 50% bluff to justify what they wanted to use.

Just found itv.com. Pretty sweet. Also really entertaining to watch humble cars like Honda civics and Toyota avensis embarrassing more prestigious brands.

One last thing: my inner child giggled at the racers name "Jack Goff".

Streetwiseguy wrote: I thought they had banned wagons because of the rear downforce advantage. They only ran the 855 one year (and won the championship, didn't they?), then went to the sedans. Must be wrong.

Also the 850 Wagons weren't as successful as people think. for 97 they swapped to the S40 and they won the championship in 98 with it.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: In reply to Streetwiseguy: Also I think the wagon aero story was at least 50% bluff to justify what they wanted to use.

And a good advertising bluff, since we are still talking about it 20+ years later.

I hope the guy who took that oft-used photo of the wagon with the wheels in the air gets paid every time somebody publishes it.

The Sierra XR4 was practically a wagon!

Levorg, want! Along with FoST wagon and Golf R wagon.