Top Run working hard on TCR Subaru project

Italy-based Top Run Racing are working on the Subaru WRX STi to turn it into a TCR racer. After the announcement, which came a couple of months ago, the team received the first two cars last week and the project is going forward.

Despite the two Subarus having arrived only last week, Top Run have already started studies and have created some new parts for the TCR-spec WRX: “We are working on the first car to prepare the shell and fit the roll-cage, while the second one is being used to fix the aerodynamics,” said Team Principal Antonio Agnello. “We haven’t waited for the cars to start working. We have made headway by building the gearbox, the braking system and most of the aerodynamic kit. We have already received the dampers and the wheels.”

The road going parts are being reviewed and re-designed for racing use, but the main difficulty is to turn the four-wheel driven Subaru in a front-wheel drive TCR racer: “Now we must check which pieces of the original parts of the suspension may be retained and which ones need to be re-designed. The most difficult task is to convert the car to front-wheel drive, which also implies a complete re-distribution of weight.”

The first track tests are scheduled for August. Meanwhile, Subaru will send two more cars per month, allowing the wide production required to receive a homologation in the TCR Series.

“We aim to start testing by the first week of August and, if everything goes according to plan, we will apply for the homologation immediately afterwards. To race in Singapore is a priority goal. We are aware that we have a great deal of work to do, but in our rally years we have built a lot of experience in this respect. And this makes us confident!”

Top Run have therefore confirmed their aim of giving the car its first run in anger in Singapore, but no drivers for the project have been revealed so far.