Vermont SportsCar (VSC) has supported Subaru Motorsports USA’s rally and rallycross efforts for a number of years with nice success. Nonetheless, competing in these sanctioned occasions comes with guidelines and laws.
VSC’s engineers and designers function inside these constraints, however allow them to unfastened and they’ll produce one thing actually superior.
Working example: the Airslayer (2020 Subaru WRX STI) and Household Huckster (1982 Subaru GL). Each machines had 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 Competition of Velocity for some years, at all times in competition for the quickest time up the hill throughout Sunday’s shootout. So once I obtained an e-mail from Vermont SportsCar just a few months again asking whether or not I may {photograph} Subaru Motorsports USA’s efforts on the 2024 occasion with a brand-new automotive alongside the Household Huckster, my curiosity was immediately piqued. After all, I stated sure.
As all of us now know, that new automotive was Undertaking Midnight – a contemporary interpretation of a Group B automotive 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 Competition of Velocity to drive it.
Thursday’s early begin at Goodwood Property noticed the Subaru Motorsports USA pit buzzing with exercise. The group approached the occasion like several aggressive rally occasion, and every member was centered on their position.
Dan Farley, Powertrain Division Supervisor, was within the driver’s seat, working Undertaking 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 vivid white paint and vibrant graphics, Undertaking Midnight’s all-black exterior seems menacing. It’s paying homage to Lockheed Skunkworks tasks just like the U2, SR-71, and F-117 – every a pinnacle of altitude, pace, or stealth. The WRX regarded so intimidating in its naked carbon fibre physique that the group determined to retain the look and paint it satin black.
The Competition of Velocity supplied one of many first alternatives to get near the automotive and provides an in depth breakdown, so I couldn’t let it go me by.
Beginning with related underpinnings of the Airslayer, the Subaru Motorsports USA group left no side untouched.
The principle visible change is the adoption of the 2024 WRX physique shell – however with large carbon composite wheel arches extending 100mm past the inventory width on either side.
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 Countless 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 automotive, 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 end in a weight nicely beneath 2,500lbs (1,120kgs), making Undertaking Midnight round 300lbs lighter than the Airslayer and 1,000lbs lighter than a typical WRX.
Inside, the main target is solely practical. A small sprint show relays important knowledge, whereas a gear indicator resides on the steering column. A hydraulic handbrake could appear misplaced for now, however I think about it’ll see some use sooner or later.
The PDM and Cosworth ECU are inside simple 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 possible in reserve. A hood-exit exhaust ensures the automotive 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 automotive.
Over the 2004 Competition of Velocity weekend, Scott and the group meticulously constructed their tempo. In between runs, movies of earlier runs had been reviewed, and automotive setup was mentioned, with changes made when required.
As at all times, the occasion culminated with the Sunday Shootout, the place the quickest vehicles of the weekend compete for Goodwood’s ‘King of the Hill’ title.
Operating so as of slower vehicles first, finally, 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 scorching.
All eyes turned to Scott and Undertaking 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, clean run.
He crossed the road at 46.09 seconds – a really quick time. Nonetheless, 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 inside combustion-powered automotive up the hill continues to be a major achievement, particularly contemplating the comparatively restricted finances and timescale to develop Undertaking Midnight.
Relaxation assured, this consequence hasn’t discouraged the group. As an alternative, it’s given them an excuse to return to the Goodwood Competition of Velocity in 2025 with one thing much more radical.
Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore
Images by Chaydon Ford for Subaru Motorsports USA
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