Subaru announced the continuation of their contingency program, the Subaru Rally Sport Program, for the 2012 Rally America National Championship. The Subaru Rally Sport Program, which is managed by Subaru of America with Vermont SportsCar as a partner, will continue to be North America’s most lucrative contingency program for rally racing.

Over $20,000 will be available at each Rally America National Championship event for Subaru drivers to earn. The program will continue to focus its support in the Super Production class (SP) where the top eligible Subaru SP driver can earn $7,000 each round, and second through 10th place will also receive generous (at least $500) payouts.

The SP class was originally created in 2009 by Rally America to offer a compromise between the top-tier Open class and the more restrictive Production GT (PGT) class. It’s a rally-racing class that is cost-effective for the racers in WRX or WRX STI models.

“Subaru as a brand, and our WRX and WRX STI models in particular, are widely recognized as having rally-DNA and being associated with performance and rallying in general,” said James Han, motorsports marketing manager for Subaru of America, Inc. “By announcing a continuation in the [Subaru] Rally Support Program, Subaru reaffirms our commitment to privateer entrants campaigning our products in Rally America events and to the growth of rally in the United States.”

Subaru of America will also offer a $200 “start fund” to any eligible Subaru entered in a Rally America Regional rally that runs concurrent to a national event weekend.

Subaru recently captured the 2011 Rally America National title, and to show off its road to success the automaker has released a short film titled “Gunning for Gold”.

The film debuted in Los Angeles and shows off Subaru Rally Team USA’s two talented drivers, David Higgins and Dave Mirra. The film features various rally racing clips and behind the scenes look as the team prepares for each competition with their Subarus.

Subaru is currently competing at X Games 17 looking to extend its success in the Rally Car and Rallycross events. Higgins has already captured a bronze medel at his first ever X Games in the Rally Car event. In the film, both drivers are seen behind the wheel of a 550-hp Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

Check out the video after the break.

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After having just set the Isle of Man TT record, Subaru can now add another to its list after driver David Higgins smashed the official hillclimb record at New England’s highest mountain, Mt. Washington over the weekend.

The record for the 7.6-mile Mt. Washington “Climb To The Clouds” Hill Climb was last set in 1998, with a time of 6:41.99 in the legendary Audi Quattro. This year, Higgins shattered the record in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI with a time of 6:11.47—handily beating out Travis Pastrana’s unofficial 6:20.47 record from last year, as well.

As per the 6,288-ft. mountain’s reputation, weather provided additional difficulties. ”It was a very big challenge because the road was still wet in spots and would turn very slick suddenly,” said Higgins. “With the clouds the visibility was so low I could hardly see past the hood of my car.”

The Subaru Rally Team moves on to Maine for the New England Rally, through the weekend of July 15th and 16th, where Higgins will defend his honor as Rally America’s points leader.

GALLERY: David Higgins Mt. Washington Record Run

Travis Pastrana has left Subaru’s rally team after 5 seasons of driving with the Japanese automaker’s American rally outfit, Subaru Rally Team USA.

“Travis brought Rally to a whole new audience through the rally championship and of course through his spectacular appearances at X Games. We wholeheartedly thank him for his outstanding performances with Subaru Rally Team USA and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Tim Mahoney, CMO of Subaru of America.

Pastrana won a number of awards with Subaru, including 4 consecutive Rally America National Championship titles. Pastrana is rumored to be looking for a ride in NASCAR.

[Source: Subaru]