“This is an unforgettable moment, and it is a moment that belongs to the Subaru China Rally Team. The glory of the annual championship shines upon us. From the team’s establishment to now, we have experienced many unforgettable moments and gone through tough trials. Now, it’s finally time to reap the rewards. I want to thank everyone—whether sponsors, team members, or the media and friends who have supported us. Your presence has added even more luster to our championship,” said Jiang Chen, head of the Subaru China Rally Team, after the race.
Dressed in camel-themed attire, Han Han stated at the press conference on the 22nd that he hoped for a strong finish in the Mohe leg to help the team secure the annual championship. But things did not go as planned. On the final day of the race, conditions changed dramatically—the temperature in Mohe dropped to minus 30 degrees Celsius at night. The cars of David and Han Han were positioned near the edge of the garage and were affected by the extreme cold, preventing them from starting. Both were unfortunately forced to retire.
The responsibility of chasing the annual championship then fell on Li Wei, who had suffered a painful mistake in Longyou, and rookie rising star Deng Xiaowen. This time, Li Wei could be said to have achieved self-redemption in the Mohe leg. He steadily finished the final stage, securing fifth place in the International Group and earning four points, bringing the team its first annual championship. Team rookie Deng Xiaowen also took second place in the leg, putting in an impressive performance. Since Han Han had already clinched the Drivers' Annual Championship at the Longyou leg, the Subaru China Rally Team now holds two of the most prestigious annual titles, making it one of the top-performing teams in Chinese motorsports this year.
Established in 2005, the Subaru China Rally Team has been around for seven years, and the 2012 season finally brought it to the pinnacle of the China Rally Championship. The Camel brand, as a sponsor of the Subaru team in the Mohe leg, also understands the hardships involved. Seven years of honing like forging a sword—enduring and persisting like a camel—Subaru cars, with their strong traditional foundation, have finally achieved their most triumphant bloom on the Chinese racing scene. The 2012 season may be over, but for the Subaru China Rally Team, which has claimed the highest honors in the CRC, the challenges are endless, and the next season will surely bring even greater glory.