WRC
Suzuki will add another chapter to its 98 year motorsport heritage next year with its first entry in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Suzuki Sport President and off-road racing legend Nobihura 'Monster' Tajima is the man behind the scenes, preparing the Suzuki WRC assault.
Tajima holds a host of off-road racing titles, and this year smashed the race records in the prestigious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the US and at the New Zealand-based Race to the Sky.
"The WRC is the pinnacle of production-car-based motorsports," said Tajima.
"There are lots of closed-circuit competitions like the Formula-1, but they're all for dedicated racing vehicles specially prepared for the purpose from top to bottom.
"In the WRC champions are won by those who can get their machines, based on cars with over 25,000 units in production and with only limited modifications allowed, to run, compete, survive and win in all kinds of natural settings."
Tajima explained WRC cars faced extreme conditions from icy roads in Monte Carlo, snow-covered minus 30 Celsius climates in Sweden to hot 40-degree conditions in Greece where temperatures inside the vehicles can reach 60 degrees.
"We accepted the challenge, and we're determined to win no matter what it takes. Hopefully, with all our hard-working staff and with the precious support of our fans around the world, we'll be moving ahead toward reaching our goal."
Suzuki's WRC entry builds on the current success being enjoyed in the JWRC – the feeder category to WRC.
This passion for motorsport flows across into all Suzuki production vehicles, culminating in spirited performance and exceptional reliability, culminating in the ultimate driving experience.