Vermont SportsCar (VSC) has supported Subaru Motorsports USA’s rally and rallycross efforts for a number of years with nice success. Nevertheless, competing in these sanctioned occasions comes with guidelines and rules.
VSC’s engineers and designers function inside these constraints, however allow them to free and they will produce one thing actually superior.
Living proof: the Airslayer (2020 Subaru WRX STI) and Household Huckster (1982 Subaru GL). Each machines have been constructed robust for the rigours of Gymkhana movies, with Travis Pastrana behind their wheels in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
The Airslayer and Huckster have been a mainstay of the Goodwood Pageant of Velocity for some years, at all times in rivalry for the quickest time up the hill throughout Sunday’s shootout. So once I acquired an electronic mail from Vermont SportsCar just a few months again asking whether or not I might {photograph} Subaru Motorsports USA’s efforts on the 2024 occasion with a brand-new automobile alongside the Household Huckster, my curiosity was immediately piqued. After all, I mentioned sure.
As all of us now know, that new automobile was Challenge Midnight – a contemporary interpretation of a Group B automobile constructed from a rally-spec 2024 WRX. Rallycross champion and all-round Subaru Motorsports USA ace Scott Velocity was introduced out to the 2024 Goodwood Pageant of Velocity to drive it.
Thursday’s early begin at Goodwood Property noticed the Subaru Motorsports USA pit buzzing with exercise. The staff approached the occasion like all aggressive rally occasion, and every member was targeted on their position.
Dan Farley, Powertrain Division Supervisor, was within the driver’s seat, working Challenge Midnight via warm-up procedures. These steps are the identical each time, making certain that any drivetrain points are caught early. As soon as the gearbox and engine are as much as working temperature, increase management and the anti-lag system are examined.
Warning: Being close to the WRX throughout this course of dangers deafness, burns, or each.
In distinction to the Household Huckster’s vibrant white paint and vibrant graphics, Challenge Midnight’s all-black exterior seems menacing. It’s paying homage to Lockheed Skunkworks initiatives just like the U2, SR-71, and F-117 – every a pinnacle of altitude, velocity, or stealth. The WRX regarded so intimidating in its naked carbon fibre physique that the staff determined to retain the look and paint it satin black.
The Pageant of Velocity supplied one of many first alternatives to get near the automobile and provides an in depth breakdown, so I couldn’t let it cross me by.
Beginning with comparable underpinnings of the Airslayer, the Subaru Motorsports USA staff left no facet untouched.
The primary visible change is the adoption of the 2024 WRX physique shell – however with huge carbon composite wheel arches extending 100mm past the inventory width on all sides.
Light-weight 18×11-inch magnesium wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan slicks present a sticky contact patch to place the ability to the bottom in any respect 4 corners.
To harness that energy, Alcon brake callipers seize 350mm entrance and 320mm rear discs with Infinite pads, complemented by 3-way adjustable dampers, customized arms, and hubs.
With downforce being a precedence, the carbon fibre rear wing is similar design as the present Subaru Motorsports USA rally automobile, however a lot bigger.
That is paired with a entrance splitter and canards up entrance. The underside is flat, with all heavy skid plates eliminated and changed with extra carbon composite. Noticing a sample?
All these modifications lead to a weight properly beneath 2,500lbs (1,120kgs), making Challenge Midnight round 300lbs lighter than the Airslayer and 1,000lbs lighter than an ordinary WRX.
Inside, the main focus is only practical. A small sprint show relays important knowledge, whereas a gear indicator resides on the steering column. A hydraulic handbrake could seem misplaced for now, however I think about it should see some use in the end.
The PDM and Cosworth ECU are inside straightforward attain, and a Tilton adjustable pedal field resides within the footwell.
Whereas engine particulars stay beneath wraps, the Vermont SportsCar-designed 2.0L boxer engine revs to 9,500rpm and produces 670hp and 680lb-ft of torque, with extra energy seemingly in reserve. A hood-exit exhaust ensures the automobile sounds the half.
Cooling is dealt with by PWR warmth exchangers: an intercooler within the engine bay and a rear-mounted radiator. Huge intakes on the rear doorways channel cool air to the radiator, which exits via ducting beneath the automobile.
Over the 2024 Pageant of Velocity weekend, Scott and the staff meticulously constructed their tempo. In between runs, movies of earlier runs have been reviewed, and automobile setup was mentioned, with changes made when required.
As at all times, the occasion culminated with the Sunday Shootout, the place the quickest automobiles of the weekend compete for Goodwood’s ‘King of the Hill’ title.
Working so as of slower automobiles first, ultimately, it was time for Travis’s run within the Household Huckster. Regardless of giving his all on the dust-covered course, he slid into the hay bales at Molecomb. Travis was gracious, apologising and admitting he merely got here into the nook too sizzling.
All eyes turned to Scott and Challenge Midnight. From the launch there was little doubt he was pushing, threading the needle to regulate the Subaru up the hill. A minor slide on the nook the place Travis went off was the one actual drama. Scott’s expertise in single-seaters shone via with a quick, easy run.
He crossed the road at 46.09 seconds – a really quick time. Nevertheless, it wasn’t sufficient to beat Romain Dumas, who claimed victory with a 43.98-second run in Ford’s electrical Supervan 4.2.
Whereas the outright win eluded Subaru Motorsports USA this yr, claiming the honour of the quickest inner combustion-powered automobile up the hill continues to be a major achievement, particularly contemplating the comparatively restricted finances and timescale to develop Challenge Midnight.
Relaxation assured, this consequence hasn’t discouraged the staff. As a substitute, it’s given them an excuse to return to the Goodwood Pageant of Velocity in 2025 with one thing much more radical.
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
Images by Chaydon Ford for Subaru Motorsports USA
Subaru associated tales on Speedhunters
