Subaru Mitsubishi & changes class in SCCA

Subaru & Mitsubishi changes class

SCCA Pro Racing has announced that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII and IX Subaru Impreza STi will be moved from the SPEED World Challenge GT category to SPEED Touring Car in 2009. Following a wave of changes to the SPEED Touring Car rules over the winter, the SCCA Pro Racing technical department has determined that the Evo and STi would be better suited to the Touring Car class.

By TouringCarTimes “In reviewing the specifications, it makes much more sense for the Mitsubishi and Subaru to be in the Touring Car class than GT,” SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger said.  “Our technical staff researched each model and determined the Evo and STi would fit in the Touring Car rules with minimal modifications, making for an economical build as opposed to a very radical build for GT.  "The move will allow teams fielding these cars to be much more competitive and will enhance the SPEED Touring Car races, which are already one of the best shows in motorsports.”   Source: SCCA Photo: Mark Webber

In celebration of Travis Pastrana's third-consecutive Rally America National Championship title, Subaru commissioned a custom WRX STI for its factory team driver. Pastrana's new street car will debut at the Chicago auto show.

Subaru and Pastrana collaborated to create the brilliant yellow STI that wears tire-tread graphics and the driver's 199 car number on the side.

Vermont SportsCar, which also is responsible for constructing Pastrana's rally car, modified the one-off STI with parts from Subaru's SPT parts division. Improved chassis rigidity and handling prowess comes courtesy of a front strut tower bar, a lower chassis brace and Work Evolution wheels wrapped with BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport tires.

For a bump in power for the 2.5-liter turbocharged flat four-cylinder, a specially tuned electronic control unit and custom down pipe are employed.

In addition to the loud paint job, a special carbon-fiber hood and rear wing were fabricated for Pastrana's car. A STI front spoiler, exhaust tips and PIAA driving lights complete the exterior changes.

Inside, the yellow theme continues with yellow seat piping and yellow stitching for the steering wheel, shifter boot and parking-brake handle boot. Faux carbon-fiber trim and--in a nod to Pastrana's rally car--a map light and co-driver footrest are installed.

Entertainment comes from an Eclipse audio system with Kicker amplifiers, speakers and subwoofer. Finally, an Xbox 360 is mounted under the front passenger seat, enabling Pastrana and a friend to play video games when not on the move.

To read more visit the AutoWeek Chicago Auto Show News section.