Q&A: David Richards - Subaru: EXCLUSIVE.

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH DAVID RICHARDS: CLICK HERE

David Richards was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed recently and Crash.net Radio's Russell Atkins caught up with him to chat about the World Rally Championship and the prospects of the Subaru World Rally Team in the second half of the season...

Crash.net:
David, are you enjoying the Goodwood Festival of Speed?

David Richards:
I always have good fun here. It is good to catch up with lots of old friends. It is as much about meeting up with old pals as it is about anything else this weekend.

Crash.net:
Looking at the WRC and Subaru, you must be pleased with the progress the team is making with the new Impreza?

DR:
It is still early days with the new Impreza - and we have only done two events with it so far, but I am very encouraged. I am looking forward to the next few rounds.

Crash.net:
The new car seems to have really rejuvenated Petter Solberg?

DR:
I think you will see a different style of driving from Petter during the remainder of the year. He is very positive about the car and it suits him - and Chris is very happy too. I am very confident about the next few events.

Crash.net:
What do you think they can achieve between now and the end of the season?

DR:
I expect them to be regularly taking fastest stage times and if you do that it usually gets you on the podium. And if you get on the podium enough, then sometimes you win too.

Crash.net:
Do you think the team can mount a championship challenge in 2009?

DR:
We will be in a strong position by then and by the latter part of this season I don't see any reason why we can't be as competitive as anyone else out there.

Crash.net:
Finally, looking back at the Le Mans 24 hours, Prodrive and Aston Martin won again, a fantastic result...

DR:
We were very, very pleased with that. It was a fight right down to the wire and that made it all the more rewarding at the end of the day.

Crash.net:
What are the chances of seeing Prodrive and Aston Martin back next year to go for the hat-trick?

DR:
I think we will probably have to do that.

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH DAVID RICHARDS: CLICK HERE