The 555 Subaru World Rally Team announced today that it has renewed its partnership with British American Tobacco, and its internationally popular cigarette brand 555, for at least the next 3 years.

This latest development is part of the close relationship between Subaru and British American Tobacco that stretches back almost nine years to when the first 555 Subaru Legacy appeared on the 1993 Sweden rally, driven by a young Colin McRae.

Thanks to the versatile performance of Subaru’s rally cars, a driver line up that has included six world champions, and levels of presentation and styling that were previously unheard of in rallying, the team has not been out of the spotlight since.

Commenting on the deal, 555 Subaru World Rally Team Principal, David Lapworth, said: ‘As a team it is great news that British American Tobacco have seen such benefits from their involvement with Subaru and are going to continue to support us into the future. Many people forget that in the early years of the Subaru World Rally Team our cars were predominately white with a number of different coloured logos.

‘However, when British American Tobacco became a team partner in 1993 it was time for an image change, and an opportunity for us to take a fresh approach to the whole concept of what a rally car should look like.

‘The result was the first evolution of the now familiar blue and yellow design, and I think it is fair to say it has become one of the most recognisable images in motorsport worldwide. It also marked the beginning of one of the most successful teams in the modern era of rallying.’

Marketing Director of British American Tobacco Jimmi Rembiszewski, said ‘As a team I think we have always been unbeatable, and we are delighted to be able to build upon our long standing relationship with Subaru for the coming three years.

‘With the recent launch of the 555 brand in the UK, 2002 will be an important year for us both on and off the rally stages. But with the popularity of the WRC series rocketing and the championship winning pedigree of the 555 Subaru World Rally Team, the prospects are good for continued success for us both.’

For further information please contact:

Stephen Webb, Press Officer
Subaru World Rally Team
Tel: +44 1295 273355
Fax: +44 1295 271188
stephen.webb@swrt.com