Subaru has announced today that Travis Pastrana has left the Subaru Rally Team. Pastrana’s contract with Subaru was up for renewal this year and Pastrana has decided not to pursue a new contract with Subaru. Pastrana has won 4 Rally America Championships with Subaru between 2006 and 2009, while winning 22 rallies and making 40 podium appearances. He also won 2 gold and one silver medal at the ESPN X Games Rally competitions while with Subaru.
Travis Pastrana has officially left the Subaru Rally Team
“Travis brought rally to a whole new audience through the rally championship and, of course, through his spectacular appearances at X Games,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer of Subaru of America. “We wholeheartedly thank him for his outstanding performances with Subaru Rally Team USA and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Pastrana is the 2nd big name to leave the Subaru team in the past 2 years. Last year, Ken Block, left Subaru in a move to the Monster Energy Ford team. Block drove a Fiesta in the Rally America season this year and made a few appearances in a Focus RS in the WRC.
This move lends more credence to the rumor of Pastrana possibly making a run at a WRC seat, possibly with the Red Bull Citroen Junior team. Pastrana has also hinted at possibly making an attempt at a Nascar bid. The Nascar rumor may be nothing more then that a rumor, as Travis recently told Sports Illustrated that, “enough NASCAR to maybe try the Daytona 500,” but he doesn’t think stock car racing would be compelling enough to hold his attention full-time. No announcement has been made by Pastrana concerning his future, but I don’t see him giving up on rally anytime in the near future.
As far as the Subaru Rally Team goes, Subaru will be looking for a replacement to compete alongside Dave Mirra.
