Subaru Drive Performance Magazine

Post SEMA Show -- Subie Invasion 2009

Pulling into Subaru of Las Vegas on Saturday, the day after the 2009 SEMA Show ended, it seemed as if the Subaru display had just relocated from the Las Vegas Convention Center. All eight vehicles from the Subaru booth at the show were there: Subaru Road Racing Team #111 Impreza WRX STI, Subaru Rally Team USA #199 Impreza WRX STI, Ken Block's Gymkhana Impreza WRX STI, the SPT-equipped Impreza WRX STI, the DC Shoes TRAX STI with custom-built sleigh, the Legacy VIP, the Legacy GTk Wagon, and Subaru of Las Vegas' 360 Van ("Fast Parts, Slow Delivery"). In addition, Quirt Crawford brought Crawford Performance vehicles -- the orange time attack "Tiger" WRX STI (read more here) and a blue STI. The Subaru Rally Team USA display trailer was parked on the premises, too.

The event gave the public an opportunity to see the Subaru show cars that had been on display at the SEMA Show all week. SEMA Show is open only to members of the automotive industry, so the event at the dealership was great for local Subaru enthusiasts to see the vehicles. Attendees showed their spirit, too, by their participation throughout the day.

Interest went beyond the SEMA Show vehicles, of course. The dealership's vehicles were there. Its Zenkai Motorsports division time attack car was on display. In addition, an Impreza WRX STI equipped by the Zenkai division was in the showroom.

Subaru of Las Vegas has recently moved into new quarters, and it takes advantage of every inch of the facilities. Walls are covered with performance parts and clothing available through Subaru Gear and DC Shoes.

Subaru owners and tuners were invited to enter their vehicles in the day's car show. The modifications shown in the parking lot were inspirational.

Several vendors and organizations took part in the show, too. Among them were Crawford Performance, MySubie.com, Motul, Liberty Mutual, IACE Travel, ings., Not Just Nuts, ENOES motor oil, radio station KXNT, Las Vegas ASPCA, and ThinkFirst Nevada giving away Subaru-branded bicycle helmets. There were others as well.

Subaru of Las Vegas also provided food, music, and a raffle at the end of the day. Plus, Zenkai Motorsports introduced its mascot, the Zenkai bunny.

This was the sixth year that Subaru of Las Vegas has hosted Subie Invasion. The event at the dealership was only part of Subie Invasion's events during SEMA Show week. On Thursday night, Flat4 held a meet at a local In-N-Out Burger. The Invasion ended with a Subie group drive on Sunday.

For a LOT more about Subie Invasion, to go www.subieinvasion.com.  

2009 SEMA Show -- The Fourth Day

We end our week at the 2009 SEMA Show with vehicles that have to do with Subaru parts. The first is what Subaru Accessories Parts Manager Erik Lukas calls "the SPT catalog STI." The second is a piece of Subaru history -- a 360 van.

SPT STI

The Impreza WRX STI on display is one that could be reproduced by an owner. Except for the wheels, tires, and graphics, everything used to modify the car is available in the accessories and SPT parts catalogs.

Some of the parts used on the display STI include:

• Grille
• STI lip spoiler
• STI pink springs
• Roof carrier bars
• Universal fork-mount bike carrier
• Exhaust finishers
• Media Hub
• All-weather mats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• SPT boost gauge
• STI shift knob

One of the most interesting aspects of the SPT STI is how it was set up to display various Subaru parts and accessories (besides the ones that have been installed on the car). A variety of parts have been mounted in the cargo area, attached for ready viewing. Some are mounted in a clear case that slides out of the liftgate opening.

For more on Genuine Subaru Performance Parts, click here.

360 Van

The 360 van was a California vehicle found by Subaru of Las Vegas. According to Subaru of Las Vegas Marketing Coordinator Yujiro Otsuki, the van was in excellent condition. The dealership cleaned up the van, had it painted, and installed graphics.

The van has a rear-mounted, forced air-cooled, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, 356cc engine. That confirms the sign on its side: "Fast Parts. Slow Delivery."

For more on the Subaru 360, click here.

We'll have details and more images of these two parts vehicles in Version 6.3 of Drive Performance on this site.

2009 SEMA Show -- The Third Day

The 2010 Legacy VIP is one of the two Subaru vehicles custom-built for the 2009 SEMA Show. Constructed from a preproduction model, the vehicle shows how well the VIP style works on the new Legacy platform. VIP style is known for its clean, heavily reworked luxury cues that emphasizes extremely low ride height and aggressive wheels. According to Subaru Accessories Marketing Manager Erik Lukas, "We wanted to celebrate the VIP styling trend, which has Japanese origins. We also wanted to give it some East Coast flair."

Painted in Shinjuku Black Plum, the Legacy VIP exterior features rolled and flared fenders; JDM pieces for the hood, grille, bumper, and under spoiler; JDM HID headlights; JDM rear under spoiler; subtle roof and decklid spoilers; JDM side shades; and MC3 Enterprises Trinidad 20-inch wheels with Falken FK452 235/30 R20 tires. 

Mechanically, the standard powertrain's 2.5-liter 16-valve turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine was left intact except for the intercooler. A Mishimoto front-mount intercooler with custom piping replaces it. The VIP has a 6-speed manual transmission. One of the VIP highlights under the hood is the red diamond stitched engine cover. Billet oil cap and battery hold-down SPT accessories as well as an STI strut tower brace also are used in the engine compartment.

Besides the 20-inch wheels and tires, the chassis includes an air suspension by Universal Air(R). The air pumps are mounted in the trunk, visible through a custom-built window. The audio system's two amps are visibly mounted in the floor of the trunk with a clear cover designed to represent sound waves. JBL speakers are on the side.

The red diamond stitching is repeated in the cabin and trunk -- on the 2+2 seats, door trim, and trunk trim. The exterior paint color can be found on other trim pieces throughout the interior. Junction Produce side curtains enhance the VIP style.

Electronics include an 8-speaker JBL(R) audio system, computer with twin rear seat multi-function displays, and two touch-screens on the dash. Rear storage includes a retractable tube and cooler. Genuine Subaru Accessory components include the Interior Illumination Kit, Illuminated Sill Plates, and STI Duracon shift knob.

We'll have more details on the Legacy VIP in Version 6.3 of Drive Performance on this site.

2009 SEMA Show -- The Second Day

One of the two Subaru vehicles custom-built specifically for this year's SEMA Show is the Subaru Legacy GTk Concept. It brings back the wagon body under the Legacy marque with the purpose of supporting a go-kart enthusiast. Specialized Vehicles, Inc. (SVI), of Troy, Michigan, partnered with Subaru in putting together the wagon. According to Subaru Advanced Products Concept Manager Peter Tenn, "The GTk is a vehicle that can get you to the track or favorite SCCA-sponsored event with your kart, gear, and family ... really, really quickly."

The wagon has a number of SPT as well as SVI modifications.

Powertrain enhancements include a tuned 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled SUBARU BOXER engine developing 300 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. SPT contributed the short-throw shifter for the 6-speed manual transmission, strut tower brace, and anodized aluminum components. SVI added a quad-tipped exhaust system.

Chassis modifications include Bilstein(R) struts and suspension calibration, lowered suspension, STI "pink" springs, Brembo(R) brakes, braided stainless-steel brake lines and hoses, and 245/50 R19 Force-KDW 2 BFGoodrich(R) tires mounted on HRE custom 19-inch competition wheels.

The wagon's exterior features a striking custom SVI black-over-red paint scheme that matches the paint and graphics of the kart that it hauls. Also featured are JDM blackout-style HID headlights and rear spoilers. SVI custom parts include front air dam, hood vents, window tint, rear diffuser, fog lights, and smoked taillights. JAC Products contributed the custom low-profile roof rail and cross bar system.

Inside, the red-and-black color scheme carries through from the exterior. The interior is trimmed with Toray Ultrasuede(R) and leather. All seating is custom-built, including the RECARO Sportster front seats with embroidered GTk lettering. The instrument panel and door trim feature a carbon-fiber pattern. The shift knob and aluminum pedals are from STI. The custom surround-sound audio system includes an 18-speaker harman/kardon(R) unit with GreenEdge(TM) technology and head unit with a seven-inch touch screen. SVI custom-built the cargo area to transport a go-kart. It includes a rubber deck, tie-down points, and LED lighting upgrades.

We'll have more details on the Legacy GTk in Version 6.3 of Drive Performance on this site.

2009 SEMA Show -- The First Day

Following up on yesterday's comment: There was a surprise at the Subaru display -- the TRAX STI has a custom-built sleigh!

Both the TRAX STI and sleigh were conceived by Ken Block, DC Shoes, Inc., co-founder and Subaru Rally Team USA (SRT USA) driver. Both also were prepared by Vermont SportsCar.

TRAX STI: The TRAX STI is similar in specification to the #43 SRT USA Subaru Impreza WRX STI. It's prepared for rally except for its Mattracks rubber track system. The shell of the STI was stripped bare and then fully seam-welded for added strength. Modifications include a multi-point roll cage, lightweight carbon-Kevlar(R) RECARO SPA Pro Racer competition seats, carbon-fiber door panels, and onboard Fire Suppression System.

Mechanical modifications include Group N rally dampers, 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox, and tuned 2.5-liter, turbocharged, intercooled, 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine.

Sleigh: The body of the sleigh was custom designed and constructed with hand-laid fiberglass using sandwich-core construction. Other features include a carbon-fiber dash, center tunnel cover, and rear cooler cover. The padded roll bars protect four heated and embroidered leather RECARO Speed seats that have 4-point harnesses.

The sleigh has a sound system consisting of a marine grade water-resistant digital media receiver, marine grade speakers, and 10-inch subwoofer. Plus, the sleigh has a camera system -- one lens flush-mounted within the dash to film passengers and the second mounted high on the roll bar to record action around the sleigh.

You can see the TRAX STI in action here.

Find more details on the TRAX STI and sleigh at www.driveperformance.Subaru.com when Version 6.3 of the magazine mails on November 19.

We'll have more on the Subaru vehicles at the show tomorrow!

Subie Invasion 2009: If you're in the Las Vegas area, note that Subie Invasion 2009 takes place between November 5 and 8. Highlights include the Flat4 In-N-Out Meet on November 5, the Invasion at Subaru of Las Vegas November 7 (with a vendor village, tuner Q&A, stage show, pet adoption, raffles, free food, and more), and a Subie group drive November 8. Go to www.subaruoflasvegas.com and www.subieinvasion.com for details.

STI Photos from the SEMA Show: Here are the three STI models that we previewed in yesterday's blog. They were photographed at the show -- the Gymkhana 2 STI, SRT USA's #199 STI, and the Subaru Road Racing Team's new #111 STI.

The Night Before SEMA Show ...

... and all through the house -- well, OK, the Las Vegas Convention center -- vehicles have been prepared to thrill, entice, celebrate, demonstrate, and more.

We anticipate these vehicles in the Subaru display:

• Ken Block's Gymkhana 2 Impreza WRX STI
• Subaru Rally Team USA #199 -- the car that took Travis Pastrana and the team to its fourth consecutive Rally America National Championship
• Subaru Road Racing Team's #111 Impreza WRX STI, which will be campaigned by the team in next year's Grand Am KONI Sports Car Challenge
• Legacy VIP sedan
• Legacy GT Wagon
• Subaru SPT WRX STI
• Subaru 360 parts delivery vehicle
• DC Shoes TRAX STI

Of course, we're always ready for surprises, and by the time this blog is posted, we'll know what they are. We'll let you know in the next posting.

Here we'll focus on three of the vehicles we've seen before and know something about -- the Gymkhana 2 STI, the rally team's STI, and the new #111 STI.

Gymkhana 2 WRX STI:Ken Block's Impreza was built by Crawford Performance in Oceanside, California. Crawford has prepared a number of modified Subaru vehicles for Block, but this one could be the most famous due to its appearance in the Gymkhana 2 video. (Photo courtesy of DC Shoes, Inc.)

The engine is stroked and features forged pistons, billet connecting rods, and STI main bearings, rod bearings, cams, valve springs, and exhaust manifolds. Modifications were made to the turbocharger, intercooler, and their plumbing. The end result is an STI cranking out 565 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque at the wheels.

Other mechanical modifications include a triple-carbon clutch, 6-speed dog-ring transmission, upgraded braking system, wheels, and tires.

Overall, weight was reduced to 2,775 pounds. Part of that came from replacing the dashboard with one made of carbon fiber. Other interior modifications were made as well, including seats, safety belts, roll cage, and more.

#199 Subaru Rally Team USA WRX STI:The car driven to a fourth consecutive Rally America National Championship by Travis Pastrana/Christian Edstrom will be on display to celebrate that victory. Out of the nine rounds in the series, Pastrana/Edstrom finished 1st six times and 2nd once.

#199 was prepared for Rally America's Open Class by Vermont SportsCar. Version 6.3 of Drive Performance magazine will have an interview with Lance Smith, the team owner. Version 6.3 is scheduled for mailing before Thanksgiving and will be posted simultaneously on this www.driveperformance.subaru.com site.

As an Open Class car, the STI has been modified within Rally America's regulations, with requisite safety equipment and powertrain modifications.

You can find more about the team and this car at www.rally.subaru.com and in past issues of Drive Performance.

#111 Subaru Road Racing Team WRX STI:This car made its debut in the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge in a test session as part of the race weekend that took place at VIRginia International Raceway the first weekend in October. Originally prepared for a number of SPEED World Challenge events earlier this year, it has been reconfigured to race in the 2010 KONI series in the GS class.

The team ran the #111 STI only on Friday of that weekend, but they were happy with the results. Further preparation of the car will take place between now and the first 2010 Grand Am KONI Sports Car Challenge race at Daytona the end of January. (It'll be here before you know it!)

Drive Performance will have more details and images of the SEMA Show vehicles in the magazine and online on November 19. Follow up there!

Tomorrow, we'll have more on other Subaru vehicles at the show.

Respect for Fans

Race fans are a different breed, just in terms of what they'll endure in order to cheer for their favorites. We've always known this, but it was evident through the four-day weekend from September 17-20 when the Subaru Motorsports teams were in action in Utah and Colorado.

 The sun was bright in Utah, although weather reports claimed the days preceding the Grand-Am event were rainy. We needed to drink water on a continual basis. Even though we could see rain falling on the mountains and into the valleys surrounding us, we were caught in heat. It wasn't insufferable, but we were aware of it. 

 

Plus, one wheel off course would kick up enough dust to limit visibility for anyone downwind.

Still, the fans came out for the event.

Crossing over to Hayden and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, heat and dry conditions ruled the day on Saturday, September 18. In order to view the Colorado Rally super special at the Hayden Speedway, fans parked in the dust-filled lot. If anyone moved, they created a dust cloud, especially on the course. 

   Still, the fans came out.

The next day brought scattered showers. The Colorado Rally treats spectators to spectacular scenery, and they turned out despite the rain and wind. They took shelter behind the scrub trees when rain was at its height. Those without hats, hooded jackets, or umbrellas were soaked. But they did not leave! 

  

Topping off the weekend was the snow storm on Monday, encountered when going home. 

So within just a couple days, weather for fans transitioned from summer to winter.

And the fans still came out!

See you at the next race!

 

In Memoriam -- Paul Hacker, 1947-2009

We at Drive Performance are deeply saddened by the loss of Paul Hacker to illness on August 28, 2009.

In 2007, Paul Hacker and his brother, Karl, worked with the Subaru Road Racing Team (SRRT) as it prepared for and entered what since has become known as the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge series. Paul Hacker was involved with team strategy and worked from the pits during SRRT's races.

The Hacker brothers -- the Hacker Express -- are famous for their all-out style of team driving and their reputation for being "racer's racers." In 16 years as a professional driver, Hacker won 52 races and 11 drivers' championships. Many of the race series in which Paul Hacker competed found him pitted against drivers with whom he later collaborated at SRRT, including Joe Aquilante, Kristian Skavnes, Chuck Hemmingson, and Dave Rosenblum.

Paul Hacker had a special place in his heart for Lime Rock Park in Connecticut, where he requested his ashes be distributed. He claimed to have won more races at Lime Rock than anyone. (He is shown above addressing a crowd during Lime Rock's 50th anniversary celebration in 2007.)

We extend our most heartfelt sympathies to Paul Hacker's family, friends, and fans.

Labor Day Links

We tend to view Memorial Day and Labor Day as the bookends of summer. That's not technically true, of course. Astronomically, summer doesn't start until the third week of June and ends this year on September 22.

The best parts of summer -- rally and road racing, and other types of racing as well -- have NOT gone away. The Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge and Rally America National Championship are with us from January into October. The teams get little rest!

Two more rallies remain for Subaru Rally Team USA. And even though Travis Pastrana and SRT USA have clinched the drivers' championship, there are four drivers vying for 2nd -- Andi Mancin, Ken Block, Andrew Comrie-Picard, and Tanner Foust. That's one Subaru team driver (Ken Block of SRT USA) against three Mitsubishi drivers! Plenty of inspiration there!

You can keep track of SRT USA at its Web site (www.subaru.com/rally), the team's Web site (www.vtcar.com), and on the team's Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/srtusa). News is carried on the Rally America site as well (www.rally-america.com). The final two rallies in the championship are Rally Colorado, which takes place September 19-20, and Lake Superior Rally, which runs October 16-17.

In road racing, the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge series champion is far from decided. Subaru Road Racing Team is running second going into the last two races of the season -- at Miller Motorsports Park from September 17-18 and VIRginia International Raceway's Bosch Engineering Octoberfest, which takes place from  October 2-4. Keep up with the team at www.subaruroadracingteam.com.

Ken Block's Gymkhana juggernaut shows no sign of easing up, either. He has followed up the first two videos and their varients with Gymkhana 2.1 -- go to www.dcshoes.com/auto for more. It'll make you chuckle! If you aren't familiar with these videos, go to www.dcshoes.com/gymkhana to catch up. The videos also can be found on YouTube -- search for "Ken Block gymkhana."

So come out and support the Subaru teams if you can, or stay in touch with them online!

The Heart of the SIA Subaru Challenge

At Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), coyotes are maturing in the wildlife refuge near the test track, the assembly lines hum with the creation of new Subaru products (Outback and Legacy models along with Tribeca), and semi-trailers continuously pull out of the lots with those vehicles. Plus, for a Saturday in August, one of the south parking lots became the territory of would-be Great Autocross Drivers.

The SIA Subaru Challenge was organized by the Subaru Great Lakes Region and guided by members of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Perhaps fame and fortune did not await the owners invited to the all-Subaru event, but an excellent day at the autocross "track" did! Novices as well as SOLO (autocross) experts took the course to beat the clock.

SIA Subaru Challenge participants came from Indiana and several surrounding states for the event. They brought stock Subaru vehicles, ones modified for the street, and others that have been especially built for autocross. The oldest competing Subaru there was a 1997 Legacy.

Driver skill levels and experience were as varied as the vehicles, and the registrants ranged in age from their teens to their 80s. Many were keen to compete, and others just wanted to say they had participated.

Walking the parking lot, there were signs of the Subaru World Rally Team -- flags and graphics on the sides of vehicles that paid homage to the World Rally Championship team that did so much to make Subaru a recognized brand.

Talk around the lot was about wheels, tires, intakes, exhaust systems, computer chips, unique Subaru models, the green Itasca (Illinois) Police STI, and how to autocross. We discussed travel, too -- happy for the couple who had returned from an around-the-United States trip in time to come to the event at SIA.   

But the most interesting aspect of this event wasn't its oldest car or youngest person or hottest modifications. Rather, I marveled most over the fact that we were drawn together by the company that manufactured our vehicles. We chose to take a day (or more) to meet at an automotive manufacturing plant to enjoy our vehicles and the company of other Subaru enthusiasts. There are few other brands or vehicle models that enjoy this kind of loyalty and inspire this type of camaraderie. That was at the heart of the weekend.

 

Find more images from the SIA Subaru Challenge at SIA's Web site: www.subaru-sia.com.