Driving Sports

Oregon Trail Rally - This weekend!

Oregon Trail Rally, one of the best events on the Rally America national series, is kicking off today for an action-packed three days of competition. The fun starts off today with a Parc Exposé in downtown Portland, followed by the start, tomorrow at Portland International Raceway, with competition running through the weekend out of the Hillsboro Fairgrounds and the town of Vernonia. For more information, check out the official site.

I always think it's more enjoyable to watch an event when there's some perspective to go along with it. So, for the first time ever, we're making our coverage of the 2007 Oregon Trail Rally available to watch online for free (this is the same feature that ran on Portland television last year.) Just click over to our Rallysport Channel and select which segments you want to watch. The full meal deal on the 2007 event is just under 30-minutes long. All the segments should  be up by the end of the day today.

Subaru's CUV - 2009 Subaru Forester

For ten years, the Forester has been the “secret Subaru” - the car that true Subaru cognoscenti prize but don’t talk about. If you talk about it, then everyone will know the secret and want one.

The Forester is built on the Impreza chassis, and uses primarily Impreza running gear. Its boxy shape belies its true performance potential, which is significant. In 2004 and 2005, the turbocharged Forester XT received the same 2.5-liter EJ257 engine as the high-zoot Impreza WRX STi. That engine was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and a final drive ratio of 4.44 to 1, as opposed to the taller ratio in the STi. There were some ECU and turbo differences, but the XT carried the heart of an STi and a final drive ratio that gave the little wagon tremendous acceleration.

Our Garage: Ryan's 2007 Legacy GT

Subaru makes some fast factory cars. Specifically, its rally-bred STI is known for a 300hp fire-breathing mill and excellent road-handling capabilities.  However, as much as I like speed, I prefer to have something a little less “racer boy” for my daily driver. I like the feel of Subaru’s boxer motors and the driver ergonomics, I also happen to run a Subaru magazine, so it only made sense that I looked elsewhere in the ‘roo family when selecting a car for my own. In the end I chose a model with styling and an interior I could live with every day: a 2007 Subaru Legacy GT.

Stock, the Legacy GT has a 243-hp (crank estimate) turbocharged motor that shares many components with the STI. Though, unlike the STI, you can get leather, a moonroof and body styling that doesn’t look like it was an afterthought. In fact, I’d say the 2007-08 Legacy is one of the better-looking cars on the road today.

Of course, given my occupation, this car didn’t stay stock long. Shortly after break-in we started the first phase of changes in the “need for speed” category. This included a larger turbo, fatter top-mount intercooler and a Perrin turbo-back exhaust system.  All the parts were tuned using an ECUTek reflash and netted a tidy 280hp at the wheels

I ran that config for a good year and was pretty happy with the overall performance: the 18G Blouch/TDC Turbo spooled fast and had enough scoot for the occasional track day or Time Attack race. The Achilles heel was the top end. Power came fast, but didn’t stick around, making long straight-aways on the track my nemesis. Also, in hot conditions, such as I faced at the 2007 Tuner Shootout in Nevada, the top-mount intercooler just couldn’t keep temperatures at bay.

Gitting sideways at Prodrive UK

Just before Christmas I was running a series from my trip to Rally GB in 2007. I've dusted the files off and have one more from that series to share. This was the visit to the Prodrive test track in Warwickshire.

I had a chance to drive a Type UK 2007 STI and a Group-N WRC car on the high-speed course (my first time in a right-hand drive), plus I had a little fun on the ice simulator. Prodrive has one of only two such simulators in the UK.

Thanks to Subaru of America for hookup us up. Enjoy the video, just after the jump.

Western Automotive Journalists Gather For "Media Days" At Laguna Seca

The Western Automotive Journalists organization gathered this week in beautiful Monterey, Calif. to test drive the 2008 sports and luxury car field from virtually every automaker doing business in North America. Journalists from up and down the west coast arrived to test the full fleet of 2008 cars on the winding mountain roads of Carmel Valley and at speed on the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Yes, that's the new Nissan GT-R parked next to the NISMO Edition 350Z in the photo to the right. Yes, they're as good as you think they are.

Events such as this serve a number of purposes, including a rare chance for side-by-side tests of comparable cars from different automakers, and also to allow a relaxed atmosphere to talk shop with the manufacturer representatives. But I wouldn't lie to you and tell you it was anything like working - this event is big-time fun.

Subaru Launches New Emotional Marketing Plan

Subaru of America today announced a new marketing campaign based on the strong emotional bond Subaru owners have with their vehicles. The campaign, developed by the company's brand agency, Carmichael Lynch, features print, TV and digital media components.

Two key research-based insights led to the campaign: the first was that while most consumers have heard of Subaru and believe it to be a good product, 60 percent have no strong emotional opinion or attachment to the brand. The second was that Subaru owners are known for their outspoken passion and love for the brand, and this applied across all models around the country.

2008 Olympus Rally

April 19-20 2008, Pomeroy, Wash.

We’re only three events into the 2008 Rally America series, with six events yet to run, but I’ll go out on a limb and predict that this is the year Ken Block and co-driver Alessandro Gelsomino win the Rally America national championship. After two years in the shadow of teammates Travis Pastrana and co-driver Christian Edstrom, Block and Gelsomino have won two of the first three events in dominating fashion.

“I’m definitely going to try for the championship. This year, we’ve got a plan,” remarked Block at the Olympus podium ceremony.

Whatever that plan is, it’s working very nicely. Block won 7 of the 16 Olympus stages outright and finished second on 4 more. On the 5 remaining stages, a quirk in the Rally America championship rules created a tie with up to 17 other competitors.

Subaru and Toyota RWD Coupe Rumors Confirmed

Rumors of a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota to produce a hot RWD sport coupe have been confirmed. The world's largest automaker will increase its investment in Subaru from about 8% to about 16% and in return, Subaru will provide a 1.8 or 2.0-liter boxer engine in both normally-aspirated and turbocharged variants to the new dual-badged sports car.

So far, only concept drawings have been leaked from the two automakers, but the word on the grapevine is that the new car will retail for about $16,000 (USD) and be available only in a RWD configuration.

But if Toyota and Subaru join forces to bring out a hot  RWD sport compact well under $20K, it's a fair bet that they'll have the market leader in the segment right out of the gate. Stay tuned for more information as it happens.   

Turbo upgrade tips for Subarus

If you're a WRX, STI or Legacy GT owner, the need for speed inevitably leads to a bump in boost -- courtesy of a turbo upgrade. Now, this isn't an easy install, but for those inclined, Sean Sexton from Rallitek Performance (Portland, Ore.) shares a couple tricks of the trade with Subiesport Magazine that will cut your wrenching time by a significant measure.

Click here for all the action!

First Drive, The New 2009 Subaru Forester

People love their Foresters. This is what the folks at Subaru kept reminding us throughout the presentation leading to our first drive of the all-new Crossover Utility Vehicle. Despite this love, there were a few things that owners wanted, like more room fore and aft and a bigger loading area. But if you are reading this, you want the straight dope, and you will want to know how the new range-topping XT 5-speed drives. I can’t tell you anything about this car because it does not exist. That’s right, the turbocharged, 2.5-liter EJ255-powered shoebox is only available with an automatic.

Now there will be some who will wail and moan that the 5-speed turbo is another special car that Subaru has killed all in the name of being more bean-counter friendly, and rightly so. Subaru never sold many 5-speed turbos, at times it was never more than 10 units a month nationally. 

Block/Gelsomino Threepeat at 100AW

The plan in the Rally America season is to hold just one true snow rally. Sno*Drift in January leads off the season, and some competitors skip the event in favor of the much more temperate Rally in the 100 Acre Wood held in Missouri a month later. But this year, Mother Nature caught many teams with their long johns down as winter weather again dominated the results at the second round of the 2008 rally racing championship series.

Block/Gelsomino Take Threepeat at 100 Acre Wood Rally

The plan in the Rally America season is to hold just one true snow rally. Sno*Drift in January leads off the season, and some competitors skip the event in favor of the much more temperate Rally in the 100 Acre Wood held in Missouri a month later. But this year, Mother Nature caught many teams with their long johns down as winter weather again dominated the results at the second round of the 2008 rally racing championship series.

The day before the event, snow, ice, and freezing rain paralyzed the nation’s heartland and kept drivers, co-drivers, and some teams waiting for the St. Louis airport to reopen. Several participants had to make forced drives at the last minute to arrive in time to start the event, but when they did start, the conditions were anything but hospitable, leading to one of the most difficult 100 Acre Wood rallies in recent years.

Chris Atkinson of Subaru World Rally Team Takes a Personal Best in Mexico

Atkinson excels with highest WRC career finish as SWRT continue strong season

Chris Atkinson and Stephane Prevot completed Rally Mexico in spectacular style, recording their highest ever finish together in a World Rally Championship event with a hard-fought second place. Meanwhile Petter Solberg and Phil Mills pushed hard to clinch the final Manufacturers’ Championship point, keeping the Subaru World Rally Team in second position in the overall standings.

Atkinson’s second podium in three rallies this season jumps him to fourth overall in the Drivers’ Championship, just six points shy of the top of the standings. It’s his best start to a WRC season, and firmly establishes the Australian as a contender for WRC victories. Solberg and Mills lie just behind in fifth in the Championship standings, as the team continue their strong start to 2008 with more solid points.

Dreadnought Gets Wide

The best way to increase grip, is to increase the amount of rubber between the chassis and the ground. Said another way: bigger tires. Currently, the wagon is sitting on 225/45/17 tires. This isn't bad, but to really have any amount of decent grip, we need to go bigger. Much bigger. However, the stock, slab-sided body means one can only add so much rubber.

Travis Pastrana gets a new co-driver

Rally ace and sometimes adrenaline junkie, Travis Pastrana, has lost his long-time co-driver, Christian Edstrom to retirement. Edstrom, who said that he was taking a hiatus from rally, cited needing more time for his family and career opportunities for leaving SRT. This is not the first time, however, that Edstrom has threatened leaving Pastrana and SRT. After a nasty crash last season, it was rumored that Edstrom had had enough of the balls-out driving of Pastrana. However, Edstrom soldiered on, but it seems that the duos most recent collision with a deer may have rattled Edstrom loose.

New-Gen Legacy GT Coilovers

On the topic of Project Cars, I'm also building a hot 2007 Legacy GT for Subiesport Magazine. A few days ago I received a "beta" set of coilovers from our friends at Endura-Tech suspension. As soon as the weather clears I'll get these installed and tested. It's been either raining or threatening rain for the past two weeks here in Seattle.

This is a twin tube gas damper design that's 10-way rebound adjustable, with a spring rate of 8k on the front and 6k in the rear. This is a very similar setup to what was used on the now legendary "Zero to Hero" project series (see video).

I've been running a set of H&R Sport springs over the stock shocks on this car so far, and that's been a huge improvement over the factory setup, but I damaged one of the struts at my last race. This will both fix the strut as well as bring handing to "the next level." I'll post more on these after I get them installed.

L'Estage/Richard Win Canadian Rally's First Round

Hyundai takes manufacturer's victory in the hunt for the  2008 Canadian Rally Championship

MANIWAKI, Quebec -- Defending Canadian Rally Champion Antoine L’Estage took the first win of the 2008 Canadian Rally Championship Presented by Subaru on Saturday, besting a competitive field of top drivers at the Rallye Perce-Neige in Maniwaki, Quebec.

“It’s a very good start, I’m very happy,” said L’Estage at the finish.

It’s the second win of the early season for him and co-driver Nathalie Richard, who also took victory at the U.S. season-opener two weeks ago. L’Estage said it took a push late in the day in his Hyundai Tiburon to secure the victory in icy conditions.

Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard and co-driver Marc Goldfarb finished second overall in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.

The Fast and the Furious 4: Hero STI

For our readers that are Fast and the Furious fans (you know who you are), we have a little treat for you. A couple more spy pictures, and a few film details, on the 2008 Subaru STI to be driven by the hero, Paul Walker, in the sure-to-be summer blockbuster of next year.

These shots were taken by our camera-equipped cockroach cam. Not bad for a bug, eh? As you can see, the car is currently the signature World Rally Blue, but our sources say it's not going to stay that way. After these Veilside customizations are completed the whole car will get a new color. (Nobody is fessing as to what, however.)

Though the first film was based on illegal street racing, and the third film focused on illegal drifting (nobody is sure what the second film was about) our sources also give word that this one will be inspired by Rally. That's right, the action is set to take place around the Baja 1000 as well as stage roads from the more Subie-centric pro rally environ.

Does that mean Paul Walker and Vin Diesel will be mixing it up with Travis Pastrana at Sno*Drift 2009? Crazier things have happened, and the roll cage inside this car looks the business, but our source is remaining tight-lipped on any more plot specifics. Our guess is that rally would be (at most) a side-show to the action.

We also hear that one of the other cars that will appear in the film is a Nissan GT-R (to nobody's surprise), though we're not sure if that will be a "hero" or "villain" car.

Click the jump for a couple more spy shots.

Rally Sweden WRC In Progress

The World Rally Championship heads to the long and winding forest routes of Rally Sweden ready to tackle the challenge of all-out sideways action as crews wrestle their machines across sheet ice. The only specialist snow rally of the year, it is one of the fastest and most competitive as WRC crews battle to prove their mettle on the only wholly ice-covered speed tests they will encounter all year.

Travelling to the city of Karlstad for the event that has honed the skills of so many past greats, it is clear to see how the conditions develop the flamboyant mastery of Scandinavians behind the wheel. Aboard his Subaru Impreza WRC2007, Petter Solberg is no exception. The Norwegian grew up driving cars on the tundra of his homeland and won here in 2005, finishing on the podium twice since joining the team. He is currently sitting in fifth place after Stage 7.

2008 Subaru Impreza STI Reviewed

If you were expecting the all-new 2008 WRX STI to be merely a warmed-over upgrade to the already released WRX, you’re in for quite a shock.

Martyn Harding, product planning manager at Subaru of America, explains. “The actual body shell of an STI is significantly different than a WRX. The metal thicknesses, the types of  steel and additional bracing; so it’s significantly stronger. We know we’re going to put big sticky tires on it and make a lot of horsepower. You have to have a body shell to back that up.”

Time Attack Impreza: Curve Appeal

I for one have never been much for big power. Sure, lots of grunt is good and fun, but does it make your car better? For most of us interested in some form of amateur motorsport, the answer is no.

While this idea of less power is better might be blasphemous to some, Subiesport Technical Editor, Tim Bailey is one of these, I find that having balance, predictability and just a little bit less power than you have talent is a good way to find lower lap times.

But before I get into my most current round of chassis R&D, I have to set the record straight. In a previous article my colleague, employer and rival, Ryan Douthit stated, “Who's car has yet to put down a hot lap at our testing airfield? Oh right, that would be Travis' beloved Dreadnought Impreza. Excuses have ranged from 'the clutch is going' to 'the engine can't take any more,' yes, I've heard it all. Fact is, the car simply hasn't been able to withstand an entire lap, let alone run a complete race.”

Armin's New Addition

Ahhh, the new STI.  Most people tend to be on the fence about how it looks, but I was sold on the hatchback with wide fenders from the instant I saw it.  As of Sunday, January 27th, I became the proud owner of a new 2008 Subaru WRX STI in Lightning Red.

This car is a rather stark contrast to my 02 WRX and 02 M3.  It's almost as if Subaru took the refinement of the BMW and put it into the more hardcore shell of the old bugeye.  Without any hint of turbo lag, the power comes on very smooth, the clutch feels great and easy to get used to, and the handling, while a bit softer than my M3, still handles the corners very well without being too harsh over bumps, highway expansion joints, or potholes.  On top of that, I'm very happy that I decided to go with the Lightning Red.  Dark Gray Metallic was may first choice, but after waiting a bit too long for it and seeing the red in person, I knew the red was for me. 

As of right now, I've nicknamed her "Blaze," with an alternate name of "The Crimson Knight."  I already have pretty extensive plans for the car, so she won't be staying stock for too long.  New wheels are definitely in order, as are new seats.  I'm not the skinniest guy in the world, but these stock seats have pretty much no bolsters and are pretty uncomfortable on my 25-mile daily commute.  As the mods start happening, I'll definitely keep DrivingSports readers abreast of the situation.

 

Sno*Drift 2008 Rally Report

In Rally Racing, it’s not enough to have the best ride and the best service crew, and the best in-car team. You can’t just set ‘em up and knock ‘em down in this business, because anything can happen at any time. After the top teams fought the 2007 season to a razor’s edge finish, the 2008 season has started up again in the same thrilling, unpredictable fashion.

Subaru Rally Team USA stars Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom took the final event win of the 2007 season with just a 3.5-second margin of victory. With that win came the Rally America National Championship for the year. In the brief off-season, Pastrana competed in the WRC Production class at Rally GB and finished a humbling 11th. So he’s back to the 2008 Rally America series with two challenges in front of him - to defend his back-to-back championships in a series that gets tougher every year, and to hone his skills for further WRC opportunities.

Subiesport "Zero" vs. STI Video

I didn't get a chance to post the blog entry to this clip earlier so I'm just now catching up on this cold, wet and slushy Sunday afternoon.

This project is somewhat infamous in the Subaru world, but may be new to many of our readers here at Driving Sports. For Subiesport Magazine we built up a 2005 Impreza 2.5RS to go against a "Stock" Impreza STI. If course the former only comes with 165hp standard and the STI is a full-on turbo-charged monster with 300hp. To make the challenge even more interesting the 2.5RS would be built without resorting to a turbo. Yes, all natural, baby!

As part of the build, "Zero" received a new built motor (12:1, with Swain Tech ceramic coated internals) from COBB Tuning along with tuning software (beta Accessport RS, which has yet to ship as of this post); Endura-Tech coilover suspension; a RacingBrake.com big brake kit; Quaife rear helical limited-slip differential; Whiteline bushings from Global Performance Parts; Rallitek's cat-back exhaust system; Prodrive wheels, interior and aero parts; Kartboy short-shift; ACT clutch and flywheel; Weapon-R intake (for the noise); and custom headwork from Pineapple Racing in Portland, Oregon. Of course, there was more, but those are the essentials.

How did the culmination of the two year project play out? The "Zero" was pitted against a slightly modified STI, courtesy of Subaru, at the 2007 Subiefest event in Portland Oregon. Watch the video at the jump to see how it went down.

Time Attack Battle Wagon

Some of us like to fancy ourselves race car drivers. What is worse, some of us fancy that not only are we racers, but that we also have the ability to build race cars. This is a dangerous combination as you have someone who thinks they know more than the mechanics and engineers, and then that same person thinks they can drive faster than everyone else. It's like outrunning your gaurdian angel, only this time it's your mechanic.

Ryan Douthit is one of those guys. If ever there was a guy that was all thumbs with a wrench, it's THAT guy. Also, I have seen him drive. But I won't get into that.

Why all the smack talk? Ryan has it in his head that he can take on my Turbo Impreza Wagon, the Subiesport Magazine Project Dreadnaught, this season in a Time Attack slug-fest. And he wants to do it in a Miata.

Subaru Introduces Diesel Engines in Europe

Subaru has introduced two models of their Legacy line using diesel power in the company's signature flat-opposed "Boxer" engine design. We're salivating just looking at the specs:

• Legacy  Sports Tourer and Outback
• Two-litre  horizontally-opposed engine develops 147 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque
• Almost  50 mpg Combined for Sports Tourer with 151 g/km CO₂
• 126 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds  for Sports Tourer
• Moving sound levels of 70.5 dB (A) lower than  Rolls-Royce Phantom’s 72.0 dB (A)
• Standard equipment includes HID headlamps with pop-out washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, front projector foglamps, CD player with MP3 facility, dual-zone climate control with rear outlets and cruise control
• On  sale Feb ’08

All the factory-supplied info you need to know after the jump. All the info you want to know, that is, except for when we'll be able to get one of these Green machines here in the USA...

Let the Battle Begin: Miata vs. Impreza Rumble!

I’ve come to a decision in my life. I want to go racing. Though, like many others, I don’t have the wherewithal to run the Speed Challenge series. I can’t even afford to run a privateer rally car, for that matter. I’ve recently found one form of racing that not only can I afford, but I also really enjoy: Time Attack.

What other motor sport allows you to show up and compete -- not at the local WalMart parking lot, mind you, but at real race courses. Legendary tracks like Laguna Seca and Virginia International Raceway. No race car? No problem, If you drive a Yugo and can pass tech, you can race. Motor swaps, aftermarket turbos and lots of bizarre configurations are allowed, giving those that are really into the sport lots of room for creative solutions to the never-ending quest for power. That’s one thing that frustrates me about many other forms of amateur racing: no creativity in the cars.

Even if you don’t win, in Time Attack you may still come away with stories worth telling. Such as, how you almost lost it on the infamous corkscrew, or your brakes wore out with four more laps to go. Apologies to all the autocrossers out there, but three hours of waiting for 2 minute sprints around a bunch of cones on a level parking lot doesn’t provide enough for me to chew on. Give me drop-offs, banked turns and open passing and I’ll be grinning for weeks.

Subiesport Time Attack 2007

Exclusive footage from the 2007 Subiesport Time Attack shootout, held at Portland International Raceway. Watch the fastest Subarus in the country battle it out for bragging rights. Sure, it rained most of the day, but there were a few dry spots.

Russ Swift: Stuntman Ignition!

You may remember legendary stuntman Russ Swift from his segments on the popular British motoring programs, Top Gear and Fifth Gear. If not, this will be a great introduction to one of the greatest stunt drivers ever. As you can see, he's also a hit with the ladies. 

Filmed on top of a parking garage in Los Angeles during the Taurus Stunt Awards, it was all to promote the new video game "Stuntman Ignition." And yes, some Subies were harmed in the making of this film. Don't try this at home.

Team Orange Drift Finale

Team Orange takes X-Games Gold Medalist and Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana for his first ride in a D1 Drift car. D1 Champion Kumakubo and his teammate Tanaka then let it all hang out for the grand finale of Subiefest 2007. Some great drifting in this video.

Team Orange Drift Demo

We've heard from a reliable source Team Orange has pulled their cars from the States, no doubt due to the implosion of the domestic D1 championship.

You may not be able to see them here in the USA any time soon, but you can still catch them doing what they do best in this exclusive Driving Sports video! This is the tandem drift demo Kumakubo and Tanaka wowed the crowd with for our annual all-Subaru event, Subiefest.

Subaru Outback 3.0 LL Bean Edition Reviewed

I didn’t expect to be very impressed with the LL Bean edition Subaru Outback wagon. I figured that the 3.0-liter flat-6 engine would be a little underpowered, the car would be too heavy, and that the whole package would be overpriced and underwhelming.

Boy was I ever wrong.

Flashback: WRX Crashing at 125mph+

For the first time, we're making the now infamous crash from Subiefest 2006 available online. A few notes about this. First, it can be disturbing to watch for sensitive viewers. Second, though the driver, Alec Osenbach, sustained relatively minor injuries, we use the term "minor" within the context of this crash--he was battered up pretty thoroughly. The car was owned by Kendrick Gray and was a very nice show car that was out to prove it was more than just good looks. It was a cover feature in the February 2007 issue of Subiesport Magazine.

We've watched this sequence in slow motion, on the source HD video, and we are in awe every time. The chances of Alec even surviving had to be astronomical considering this is a non-caged car, it performed 7.5 rotations after the initial impact (that knocked Alec out), and his head and arm are even hanging out of the driver's side window at one point--re-entering the vehicle just before the next impact.

We've encouraged Alec to seek a calling in the church.

So remember, kids, you really don't want to ever try this at home. Oh, and if you're interested in seeing more from this event, you can still buy the DVD from our official store, www.carzines.com. Or buy/rent the digital download edition from the DSTV video store.

2009 Forester Slips in under Xmas

What's this? A new Forester? Everyone's favorite utility rig is getting a major yuletide update to compete against the every-challenging improvements from Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi in the small ute market. The actual sheetmetal will be on display at the 2008 NAIAS show in January. In the meanwhile, take a look at Subiesport Magazine's website for pix and the facts.

JC Meynet Dominates at Tuner Challenge

On an unusually cold September day in the desert, time attack racer JC Meynet drove his Harman Motive Subaru STI to a double victory at the 2007 Tuner Shootout at Spring Mountain Race Park in Pahrump, Nevada. We put together this short video (6 min) of Meynet throughout the race. Want to see how his now infamous fuel protest went down? We were there!

This is the same event chronicled in the Subiesport Magazine feature in the December issue ("A Team of One") where I drove my 2007 Legacy GT street car in Modified Class.

2008 STI Reviews now Online

Reviews of the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI have started to hit the Interweb.

Driving Sports TV
Motive Online Magazine
Edmunds Inside Line
Popular Mechanics

The December issue of Subiesport Magazine also features a complete review, along with telemetry data from the lap at Laguna Seca.
 

BMX Legend Mirra Makes His Rally Debut

Cool news for rally fans, straight from SRTUSA:

BMX legend Dave Mirra will make his competitive rally racing debut this weekend at The Rally Of The Tall Pines, the last round of the 2007 Canadian Rally Championship, held in Ontario, Canada. Mirra will be at the wheel of a Monster Energy Subaru Impreza rally car fielded by the Vermont SportsCar team.   Joining Mirra in a second Subaru fielded by Vermont SportsCar will be Subaru  Rally Team USA driver Ken Block, who  narrowly missed out on winning the 2007 Rally America National Championship at the final round last month.

2008 WRX STI at Laguna Seca

We had a chance to drive a pre-production 2008 Subaru WRX STI at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Here is the in-car video, along with telemetry data, from one of the warm-up laps. (Click the jump to see the video.)

In short, the new STI is a brilliant piece of machinery that is significantly more capable than the outgoing model. The looks are subjective, but we think that Subaru really hit the target with this offering. It will just take some time for the fanbois to get used to the looks of this hatch-only silhouette. Once in the seat, gripping the leather-wrapped steering wheel and harnessing over 300hp with the right foot, nothing else will matter.

You'll have to pick up the December 2007 issue of Subiesport Magazine to read about our full results from testing the hot new 2008 Subaru WRX STI (available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hastings, Books a Million, etc.)

I'm going back to Cali, to Cali, to Cali...

Today, I’m down in California to test the new-for-2008 Subaru STI. I have high expectations for this new model.

This is a two day program for journalists that consists of some better-than-average dinners, a presentation about the new car and lots of seat time. The car is “officially”unveiled at the LA Auto Show later this week.

Since this is a long-lead event, I won’t be able to share my driving impressions in this blog. But you can look for the next issue of Subiesport Magazine to get all the facts. I will, however, be able to post some pics, so look for those in the days to come. (Click “Action Pix” above, then Mobile Pix, then select the slideshow to see images sent “live” from my iPhone.)

We’ll be doing some coastal driving, in addition to track sessions. I have all my test equipment with me, so as to get as much tech info possible about this new model. Hopefully Subaru will also have an older STI available so I can get comparative numbers.

BMW 328i: Hero Material?

Some fun out at the airstrip. Ryan "tested" the BMW 328i to see if it was fast enough to be a "hero car" against Travis in his pimped-out, turbo-charged 1.8l Impreza. The results? Watch and see!