Top Run Motorsport has released the first photos of its new Subaru Impreza WRX Sti which will compete in the TCR International Series later this year, with the first cars delivered to the Italian team’s workshop last week.
Top Run Motorsport announced their intention to build at least two new TCR-specification Imprezas, which will make their début in Singapore in September, back in April.
The team have been working flat-out to prepare the cars ahead of their anticipated début in just over two months’ time.
“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,” explained Team Principal Antonio Agnello. “We haven’t waited for the cars [to be delivered] 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. 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 team are confident of meeting their target to be ready by Singapore, having built up a wealth of experience from several decades of rallying.
“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,” added Agnello. “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!”
The outfit have an agreement with Subaru to deliver two further cars per month. No number has been set for the total number of cars which the company plan to build.