Subaru begin asphalt testing.

The classic rallying region of Catalonia was the 555 Subaru World Rally Team's base for the first asphalt development test of the season, which was carried out last week.

Paolo Andreucci led the four-day programme in preparation for the forthcoming smooth-surface rallies in Italy, Corsica and Spain.

Overall winner of the 2001 Italian Rally Championship and 2002 Italian S1600 victor, Paolo Andreucci is one of the team's two dedicated test drivers, working hard to push forward the long-term development of the Subaru Impreza WRC2003. This year, in addition to working with Subaru, Andreucci is competing once again in the Italian S1600 Championship, and is currently leading the driver standings.

The team used three separate stages during the test, all based in the mountains to the south of Spain. The roads were representative of the three forthcoming asphalt events and featured a range of twisty, narrow sections mixed with longer flowing corners on smooth asphalt bases.

The stages used were ideal for concentrating on preparatory work, which involved evaluating new Pirelli prototype tyre constructions and testing and consolidating set-ups for the revised suspension system on asphalt. Longer-term development work focused on engine advancement and brake set-up.

Test Team Manager, Tom Hunt, explained: "The purpose of this test was two-fold. It gave us the opportunity to get some preparation work done for the Spain, Sanremo and Corsica events. That was important, as it was the first opportunity we have had to test the latest suspension system on asphalt. We used some good representative stages to do that, with speeds kept relative to those rounds, and also tested some new compounds from Pirelli. Secondly, we used the test to get on track with some longer-term development work. Paolo completed over 800 kilometres of testing which allowed the team to collect some useful data."

The 555 SWRT are back in action this week for round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Cyprus Rally. The event begins with a ceremonial start on the Limassol promenade on Thursday evening before the real action gets underway on Friday.