Photo: TCR Media

Subaru driver Luca Rangoni: “I’m as happy as a kid!”

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Touring car star Luca Rangoni will be behind the wheel of the newly-built Subaru WRX TCR for Top Run this weekend in Singapore.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, the former Superstars driver said: “I’m really excited about the challenge ahead. I had the chance to test the Subaru WRX last week and, as I was sure I would find out, the car has a lot of potential.”

The Italian, also a former FIA World Touring Car Championship driver, said: “I had already developed the Superstars Series Mercedes with Top Run, so I knew from the beginning I was going to sit in a very good car. We were supposed to do a few more laps but the car is green and it’s normal to have a few gremlins.”

What makes Rangoni excited is the way the car was built: “I think Top Run did a great job, because the car is built very cleverly. The Subaru is obviously originally a four-wheel drive, so changing it to a front-wheel driven car was not easy, but the car itself is underweight and it gives us the chance to play with ballast. We use a racing gearbox, which under TCR regulations forces us to carry an extra 35kg, but that helped in a way in order to balance the car.”

The Italian is very happy with the chance of driving the car in its first outing: “I honestly hope this adventure will last as long as it can. To be honest the engine is very good, we just need a bit of time to work on the setup and I’m sure we will have a very good car in our hands. The rest is really in my hands, so I will try my best.”

Rangoni says the Race of Singapore, which is part of the FIA Formula One World Championship support package, is the ideal frame to the new car’s debut: “I think it will be fantastic, there will be a lot of people on the grandstands and the setting is very charming, including the race on Saturday, which will be very charming. I think my excitement shines through my eyes, I’m happy as a kid and I can’t wait for the weekend to come!”

Luca Rangoni last competed in an international championship in the now defunct Superstars Series.