Rallying: Subaru pulls out

Withdrawal: Subaru's Petter Solberg

Subaru has announced that it is to withdraw from the World Rally Championship, the Japanese manufacturer citing the global financial crisis for its decision.

The announcement came just 24 hours after Suzuki said that it was pulling out of the Championship for the same reason, the decisions leaving the WRC with no works Japanese involvement.

"Our business environment has changed dramatically due to the rapid deterioration of the global economy," said Ikuo Mori, chief executive of parent company Fuji Heavy Industries.

"In order to optimise the management resources and to strengthen the Subaru brand further, Fuji Heavy decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest time."

Titles

Subaru's drivers for their 2008 campaign were Norway's Petter Solberg and Australia's Chris Atkinson. The team was run by the British engineering firm Prodrive.

After entering the sport in 1989, they won three drivers' titles with Scotland's Colin McRae taking the first in 1995.

Englishman Richard Burns claimed the second in 2001 with Solberg winning another two years later.

They also won three successive manufacturers' titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and finished third in this year's Championship.

Subaru's exit leaves just World Champions Citroen and Ford chasing next year's title.

However, unlike Formula One, from which Honda withdrew two weeks ago, private entrants are allowed to compete.