Handling and understeer hampering Top Run Subaru’s results in Portugal

Top Run Subaru’s Luca Rangoni failed to finish in both races at Estoril, Portugal. The Italian was back behind the wheel of the Subaru WRX STi TCR, after driving the car on its debut in Singapore last year, and said there were some major improvements since.

“The engine side is good,” said Rangoni to TouringCarTimes. “We were able to stay with the other cars on the straights and in general it is performing really well. The problem is in the handling.”

A serious traction issue, as well as a lot of understeer, make it impossible for the Subaru to show its real potential on track: “The problem is that the front axle is not working as it should. The car is difficult to drive, we have identified the problems and there is a lot of work to do. I trust Top Run will be able to further develop the car to bring it up to speed.”

The balance of the car when entering corners, as well as traction out of them, are the main issues: “On a front-wheel driven car you try to raise the rear suspension, which helps turn in, but we can’t do it at the moment. We tried a solution in the second race which slightly improved the traction, but we are not quite there at the moment.”

Rangoni will not be behind the wheel at next round at Spa-Francorchamps as he has another commitment, meaning Top Run could be fielding a third different driver in three races.