Subaru unveils new ST1 Impreza R4″ on YouTube

A walk over the new Impreza R4
thanks to OfficialiRally

Videos! Subaru takes on the Isle of Man record and Dave Higgins gets 2nd at Global Rally Cross

I’m gonna call this Video Friday! Now these videos have been making their way around the net so I won’t bore you too much with the details. Sit back and enjoy the videos (and choas).

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Video: Travis Pastrana calls out Ken Block in his new Boost Mobile Livery STi

I love how Travis is still around rocking his Subie even though many have shunned his circle track duties as of late. If you’re a true Travis Pastrana fan, you know that he hasn’t forgotten his Subie roots.

In this video that was just uploaded, Travis calls out Ken Block on his marketing campaign etc. It’s all good though and no one should take this all to seriously. After all, DC does cut Travis a paycheck from time to time. It’s like a friend calling you out during a game of ping pong… or fooseball… or maybe something a little more competitive.

Anyways, enjoy this video, I know I did (The car, not the women…. err, ladies… err… Grandmas?)

Subaru’s japan only Ts

Car and driver reports on their blog today that Subaru’s Ts model targets BMW’s M power brand! Ts stands for tuned by sti, which seems a little redundant, but signifies a step above the standard sti. Though this model carries the same power plant. More info on Car and Drivers blog

Autoblog spots the RWD Coupe on the ‘Ring’. We say, “OH BABY!”

Spy shots make me giggle. Our friends from Autoblog got these amazing photos of the RWD Subaru coupe on the Nurbergring a few days ago. Far removed from the Mules that we’ve seen, this is starting to take shape as an awesome example of a performance coupe that many Subaru fans have been waiting for.

Source: Autoblog

Video: Mark Higgins with an Amazing Save and Breaks Record

Autoblog UK reported that Mark Higgins has broken the TT record for this road rally in a standard WRX  STi.

However, the event wasn’t without some peril as Higgins almost crashes hard as seen on these videos:

What I don’t understand is how calm and collected he is AFTER that save. I mean, I myself have had some crazy saves at the TRACK but on a city street with light poles everywhere. Also, who gave that co driver a tranquilizer shot before this ride because he was equally calm after that save!

 

As a little gift to you guys, here are some chuckles…

So I was browsing the internetz today and found this site: http://www.becauseracecar.org

I thought these were funny (featuring subies):

Here’s something cool… a drifting Saabaru from Wrecked Magazine!

Our friends at Wrecked Magazine took these pictures at a Club Loose drift event! What they captured is a drifting Saabaru. I don’t have much info on this wagon but it looks great going sideways!

Interview: We talk with Jeff Westphal about the GST Impreza, Possibly Rally Cross, and a chance to WIN A PRIZE!

Jeff Westphal has been one seriously busy dude. Between racing in different series, testing the world famous GST Motorsports Impreza, and doing his day to day thing, he still finds time to talk to us at Subie-Life.com!

Q: Hi Jeff! It’s been some time since we last spoke to you. What have you been up to? Any cool racing that you’ve been doing?

A: Hey. Since we’ve last spoke I’ve been racing with some clients of mine in an Endurance Race known as the 25 Hoursof Thunderhill, as well as with Insight Racing in their 328i Continental Tire Car.

Q: So on the vast universe known as the internet, we’ve been seeing a lot of images of the GST Impreza L under going a lot of changes. These changes seem significant. What things were done?

A: Wow, where to start.  Well, the car has basically been rebuilt minus the mounting points for the fuel cell.  Everything else has been modified or refreshed.  Some special attention was paid to aero profile, as was weight balance so not only did we shave considerable weight off the car, but it came off all the right places.  As many Subaru owners are aware, the cars polar moment of inertia is pretty far forward, which can be like trying to turn a shopping cart with all the goodies up front.  One of my requests was to get more of the vehicles mass over the rear of the car to engage the rear tire more since we never seem to hurt those.  We also added a proper pedal box setup with dual masters and a  bias bar.

Q: How much of your own input did they take into consideration when they modified the GST Impreza L from last season to this season?

A:  The direction to take the car has been a collaborative effort since day one, as 2 or 3 minds are better than one.  That said, one of the reasons GST called me to drive was for my professional input from other disciplines of motorsports that I’ve competed in, so when i ask for something to make the car better we all work pretty hard to get it done.

Q: Coming up next weekend is the Global Time Attack event at Willowsprings International Raceway and what I’ve heard is that this car will make an appearance. Is this true and if so, what can we expect?

A: Yes it is true we will be attending the GTA event next weekend.  The team and I have realistic expectations, we ran a 1.20.7 there in the early stages of development with the car last season and i think the car should be good for a high 19 in last years trim.  I’m hoping to challenge for the overall record that Billy Johnson has at a low 1.18.  We do need some time to iron out some logistical issues with the new platform we’ve created so I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket if you will.

Q: What other things are in the works for the GST Impreza and yourself this season? We’ve been hearing some rumors that you guys are actually going globally. Is this true?

A:  Yes, since it’s been officially released, we were afforded an invitation to the World Time Attack Finals in Eastern Creek, Australia so we will be going abroad to battle the best in the biz if you will.  This event I am really looking forward to.

Q: So, let’s get back to you. What have you been doing during the “off season”?

A:  I’ve been working on deals to bring with me in 2011, as well as enjoying some off season training.  Even though the weather isn’t the best, I love to cycle so i’ve racked up some mileage which feels great.

Q: I ran into you recently at Global Rally Cross a few weeks ago and we talked a bit about your feelings about the event? Can you share what your initial response was and will there be a possibility of you dabbling in Rally Cross?

A:  I loved the event, the AWD cars made me seriously consider how to become involved as they are very impressive.  I think if someone had an AWD car with high power and a sequential, it wouldn’t be too hard to prep it into a rally cross car…. “wink wink”

Q: You mentioned to me that you have picked up a new partner / sponsor and it’s Kicker Audio. Tell our readers more about this!

A:  I am fortunate to be working with such a company like Kicker.  We’ve actually been talking for a while, and finally it seems all of our goals were aligned so we are partnering in 2011.  I am one of their professional athletes, and I’ll be awarding Kicker Audio gear to fans of mine, motorsports ,and the Kicker brand all year.

Q: Jeff has been kind enough to give us an Kicker iPod docking unit! All our readers have to do is “like” Jeff Westphal Racing’s Facebook Page, “like” this article on our Subie-Life.com page and subscribe to Subie-Life.com’s email notification! If you do all three of these, you have a chance to win this awesome prize! Thanks Jeff for taking your time to talk to us and please take a moment to thank anyone that is helping you out this season!

A: Thanks to all the readers who continue to support this industry, without you guys we wouldn’t be here so this one is for you!  Like the pages and sign up, a Kicker Ipod Docking unit will be yours courtesy of Jeff Westphal Racing, Subie-Life.com, and Kicker Audio.

So you can learn drifting in this STi, if you understood what he was saying

So I was snooping around the Facebook universe when I ran into this video:
CLICK HERE TO WATCH

The driver’s name is Abdo Feghali and looks like he’s got a pretty well set up Rear Wheel Drive STi. A few things I noticed was it was pretty basic. Meaning, it had no competition roll cage, no racing / safety interior bits, or anything crazy. Also did a quick search on him and looks like he’s a Redbull Driver for Rally and looks like he’s their spokes person for Redbull in their drifting competition going on in Abu Dhabi. Looks like a simple demo vehicle. There are series of these videos on their website. Check it out when you have a chance.