RECARO Automotive Seating, the world’s leading manufacturer of performance vehicle seats, saw great success and multiple wins during its 2019 collaboration with Subaru Motorsports USA.
Clinton Twp, Mich. (February 25, 2020) – RECARO Automotive Seating today announced a number of successful milestones achieved in collaboration with Subaru Motorsports USA during the 2019 Rallycross and Rally Championship seasons. RECARO provided Subaru Motorsports with Pro Racer SPA and Pro Racer SPA XL seats, which were used in numerous Subaru rally vehicles. This season, the Subaru Motorsports USA rallycross effort saw four wins from six rounds of the 2019 Americas Rallycross Championship (ARX).
With a star-studded primary driver lineup which included the addition of Scott Speed and returning team drivers Patrik Sandell and Chris Atkinson, all three individuals earned at least one win during the ARX season. The team also put at least one car on the podium at all six ARX rounds, with a total of nine ARX podiums and two double podiums. Atkinson finished second in the ARX Driver’s Championship, while Sandell placed third, and Subaru Motorsports USA took home the ARX Team Championship.
The rally lineup consisted of driver David Higgins with co-driver Craig Drew, driver Travis Pastrana with co-driver Robbie Durant, and driver Oliver Solberg with co-driver Aaron Johnston. The Subaru Motorsports rally team brought home six wins out of eight total rallies. Higgins achieved six podiums from eight rounds, including three wins. Solberg achieved four podiums from six rounds, including three wins. Lastly, Pastrana achieved two podiums from two rounds. Higgins was crowned the American Rally Association Driver’s Champion, marking this season his 10th U.S. Rally Championship and 8th Championship in the last nine years. The team has collectively captured 13 of the last 14 U.S. national rally titles.
As part of the partnership, the two brands also attended over 80 events across the United States, displaying key show cars together.
Designed with the ultimate competitive edge in mind, the vehicle’s RECARO seats elevated the Subaru racing experience and helped teams amplify their performance driving and safety. The Pro Racer's ergonomic ‘S’ shaped shell is unique as it forms to the driver’s back. The "built-in" lumbar support of RECARO racing seats provides structured support for the lower back that protects against spinal compression in high-impact accidents. Combined with high-quality shock absorbing foam and carbon backing, the Pro Racer is just as comfortable as it is safe.
“It has been a great honor to collaborate with Subaru’s world-famous rally team for the 2019-2020 seasons,” said Jim Koelzer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RECARO Automotive Seating. “Our roots are grounded in automotive performance and motorsports, and our two brands share the same goal of creating optimum conditions for safe, skillful racing. We look forward continuing this relationship through 2020.”
“RECARO Automotive Seating is a true leader in automotive seating and an iconic brand in the world of motorsports – we are thrilled about our collaboration,” said William Stokes, Motorsports Manager for Subaru of America. “Subaru is confident that the use of RECARO seats in our rally vehicles allowed our drivers to perform better, stay safer, and bring home strong results.”
This partnership, which will continue into 2020, builds on both brand’s years of automotive and motorsports expertise. Founded in 1906 as “Stuttgarter Carosserie- und Radfabrik”, RECARO has provided top-quality OEM as well as aftermarket race and performance seats since 1965. The brand’s seats are widely considered ‘the heart of driving’, and are representative of RECARO’s focus on safety, design, ergonomics, lightweight construction, and first-class quality.
For more information, please visit recaro-automotive.com and subaru.com/motorsports.
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